Visiting Edinburgh Castle

Summary

Join David, a local Edinburgh tour guide and author, as he introduces the iconic Edinburgh Castle in his video series showcasing top 100 places to visit in Edinburgh. Located at the top of the Royal Mile, the castle is steeped in history and built on an extinct volcano. Highlights include Scotland's crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. David also shares practical tips for visiting the castle and getting around Edinburgh, making it a must-watch for anyone planning to explore Scotland's capital.

Takeaways

• 😊 Edinburgh Castle is a top attraction located at the top of the Royal Mile, built on an extinct volcano.
• 🏰 The castle has been there since the 12th century and includes highlights like Scotland's crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and Saint Margaret's Chapel.
• 🛤️ Edinburgh Castle has a rich history, having been a focal point for many battles, especially during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
• 🎟️ Book tickets early as the castle attracts over a million visitors each year, and online tickets offer a small discount.
• 🚋 The tram from Edinburgh Airport to the city center is easy to use and takes about 45 minutes.
• 🔫 The daily one o'clock gun at Edinburgh Castle is a ceremonial tradition and still fires blanks for historical purposes.
• 💂 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held every August, is a must-see event featuring mass pipes and drums on the castle Esplanade.
• 🛎️ Guided tours and audio guides in multiple languages are available to enhance the visitor experience.
• 🍽️ The castle has an excellent cafe, restaurant, and shop, and is open all year except for December 25th and 26th.
• 📚 David, the tour guide and author, offers special walking tours in Edinburgh and has a new 100-page Edinburgh city guide available for purchase.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video script?

The speaker is David, a local Edinburgh tour guide and author of 'The Edinburgh City Guide'.

What series is the video part of?

The video is part of a series showcasing the top 100 places to visit in Edinburgh.

What is the name of the guidebook written by David?

The name of the guidebook is 'The Edinburgh City Guide'.

What is the main attraction featured in episode eight of David's series?

The main attraction featured in episode eight is Edinburgh Castle.

What is special about the location of Edinburgh Castle?

Edinburgh Castle is special because it is located at the top of the Royal Mile and is built on an extinct volcano.

What are some of the highlights visitors can see at Edinburgh Castle?

Highlights at Edinburgh Castle include Scotland's crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny, Saint Margaret's Chapel, regimental museums, and the Royal Palace.

How long has there been a castle at the current site of Edinburgh Castle?

There has been a castle at the site since the 12th century.

What is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo?

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular event that takes place on the castle Esplanade every August, featuring mass pipes and drums.

What is the purpose of the daily one o'clock gun firing from the castle ramparts?

The daily one o'clock gun fires blanks for ceremonial purposes, originally used as a time signal for ships in the Firth of Forth.

How can visitors get to Edinburgh city center from the airport?

Visitors can take the tram from just outside the airport terminal to the city center, which takes about 45 minutes.

What advice does David give for visiting Edinburgh Castle?

David advises buying tickets online in advance for a small discount, taking a guided tour or using an audio guide available in multiple languages, and visiting the castle's cafe for refreshments.

What additional services does David offer for visitors to Edinburgh?

David offers special walking tours in Edinburgh and has a website, www.adventuresinscotland, where more information can be found.