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.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Introduction to Edinburgh Castle and Tour Details

David, an Edinburgh tour guide and author, introduces himself and welcomes viewers to his channel. He highlights his 100-page Edinburgh city guide and today’s focus: Edinburgh Castle. Located at the top of the Royal Mile, the castle has existed since the 12th century and is built on an extinct volcano. Key attractions include Scotland’s crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny, St. Margaret's Chapel, regimental museums, and the Royal Palace. David, who has lived in Edinburgh for 50 years, emphasizes the castle's historical significance and its position as a must-visit site for understanding Scotland’s history. He also provides practical advice on traveling from Edinburgh Airport to the city center by tram.

05:10

🚋 Edinburgh Castle's Strategic Location and Historical Significance

Edinburgh Castle is a top tourist attraction, drawing over a million visitors annually. Situated on an old volcanic rock at the top of the Royal Mile, the castle's strategic position has been advantageous since the Iron Age. Its natural defenses include steep cliffs and the former Nor Loch, now Princes Street Gardens. The castle played pivotal roles in battles, especially during the Scottish Wars of Independence. Statues of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, added in the 1920s, honor their contributions. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held annually on the castle esplanade, is a renowned event featuring mass pipes and drums. Visitors should book tickets early due to high demand.

10:13

🎟️ Visitor Information and Practical Tips

Edinburgh Castle is open year-round except on December 25th and 26th. Located at the top of the Royal Mile, it offers an excellent restaurant, cafe, and shop, along with various tours. It's recommended to buy tickets online in advance for a small discount. Family tickets are available, and children under five can enter for free. Audio tours are offered in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Mandarin. David encourages viewers to subscribe for more videos and to purchase his Edinburgh city guide. He also offers special walking tours of the city and provides a link to his website for more details.

Keywords

💡Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress located at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a central theme of the video, as it is one of the most iconic visitor attractions in Scotland, with highlights including Scotland's crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the 12th-century Saint Margaret's Chapel. The castle's strategic location on an extinct volcanic rock has made it a focal point for many historical events, including the Scottish Wars of Independence.

💡Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is a historic street in the heart of Edinburgh that stretches from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is mentioned in the video as the location of Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Mile is a popular tourist destination, known for its shops, restaurants, and historical sites, making it an essential part of any visit to Edinburgh.

💡Stone of Destiny

The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is an ancient symbol of Scotland's monarchy and is kept at Edinburgh Castle. It is one of the castle's highlights mentioned in the video. The stone has a storied history, having been used in the coronation of Scottish kings for centuries, and it symbolizes Scottish national pride and heritage.

💡Saint Margaret's Chapel

Saint Margaret's Chapel is a 12th-century chapel located within Edinburgh Castle, making it the oldest surviving building in the city. The chapel is highlighted in the video as one of the significant attractions within the castle. It is dedicated to Queen Margaret, who was canonized in 1250, and it represents a piece of Scotland's religious and architectural history.

💡One o'clock gun

The one o'clock gun is a daily tradition at Edinburgh Castle where a large gun is fired at 1 PM. The video mentions that this practice dates back to the 19th century when it served as a time signal for ships in the Firth of Forth. Today, it is a ceremonial event that often surprises visitors with its loud sound.

💡Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual event that takes place on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, featuring massed pipes and drums, military bands, and performers from around the world. The video describes it as one of the most famous events associated with the castle, attracting visitors every August. It is known for its spectacular displays and is a highlight of Edinburgh's cultural calendar.

💡Tram

The tram is a mode of transportation mentioned in the video as an easy way to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city center. The video emphasizes the convenience of the tram, advising viewers to buy tickets before boarding to avoid higher prices. This information is helpful for tourists navigating their way to Edinburgh's attractions, including the castle.

💡Guided tours

Guided tours are recommended in the video as a way to enhance the visitor experience at Edinburgh Castle. These tours provide detailed historical context and insights into the castle's features and artifacts. The video suggests that guided tours or audio guides, available in multiple languages, are beneficial for understanding the significance of the site and making the most of the visit.

💡Iron Age Hill Fort

The Iron Age Hill Fort refers to the early use of the site where Edinburgh Castle now stands. The video notes that the strategic advantage of the volcanic rock has been recognized since the Iron Age, with a possible fortification dating back to that period. This historical context underscores the long-standing importance of the castle's location in Scottish history.

💡Nor' Loch

Nor' Loch was a body of water that once protected Edinburgh Castle on three sides. The video explains that this loch was drained in the early 19th century to create Princes Street Gardens. The transformation of Nor' Loch into gardens illustrates the evolving landscape around the castle and its continued centrality in the city's development.

Highlights

Introduction to David, a local Edinburgh tour guide and author of The Edinburgh City Guide.

This is episode number eight in David's series, showcasing his top 100 places to visit in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle, located at the top of the Royal Mile, has been a castle site since the 12th century.

The castle is built on an extinct volcano, providing a unique and imposing location.

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

Advice on taking the tram from Edinburgh Airport to the city center, emphasizing the importance of buying tickets before boarding.

Edinburgh Castle attracts over a million visitors every year, so booking tickets early is recommended.

The castle's strategic position on a volcanic rock has been utilized since the Iron Age.

The castle played a significant role in the Scottish Wars of Independence, changing hands between the Scots and the English multiple times.

Statues of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce were added to the castle gatehouse in the late 1920s.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, featuring mass pipes and drums, takes place at the castle every August.

The daily one o'clock gun, a time signal for ships, still fires blanks for ceremonial purposes.

Guided tours and audio guides in multiple languages are available for visitors.

The castle offers a cafe and shop, and is open all year round except for December 25th and 26th.

Family tickets and online discounts are available, with under-fives entering for free.

David provides a link to his Edinburgh City Guide and information about his special walking tours on his website.

Transcripts

hi I'm David a local Edinburgh tour

guide and author of The Edinburgh city

guide

if you're new to my channel a very warm

welcome to the capital of Scotland this

is episode number eight in my series

showing you all my top 100 places to

visit in Edinburgh don't forget to check

out all my other videos and you might

like to buy and download my new 100 page

Edinburgh city guide which is crammed

full of everything you need to know to

have an amazing time in Edinburgh so on

with today's very special location

Edinburgh Castle which most people will

want to visit when they're in Edinburgh

located at the top of the royal mile

it's staggering to realize that not only

has there been a castle here since the

12th century but it's also built on an

extinct volcano

highlights include Scotland's crown

jewels the stone of Destiny the 12th

century Saint Margaret's Chapel the

regimental museums and the Royal Palace

if you're visiting Edinburgh for the

first time Edinburgh Castle will

probably be at the top of your list of

places to see I've lived in Edinburgh

for 50 years and still Marvel at this

huge imposing Castle perched high upon

an extinct volcanic plug in the city

center

to know the history of the castle and

the precious artifacts contained within

is to know the story of Scotland and

this makes it a must visit place in my

eyes four we visit Edinburgh Castle and

I give you a wee guided tour I thought

I'd just show you Edinburgh airport and

some of the options you have

particularly the tram into the city

center you can get the tram from just

outside the airport terminal and it's so

easy and you just pay for your tickets

at the machine before you get on the

tram and that's really important make

sure that you buy your tram ticket

before you get on otherwise you'll have

to pay a much higher price and it takes

a little while maybe 45 minutes to get

into the city center so it's dead easy

and dead easy there's luggage storage as

well on the trams so just come out of

the airport terminal straight onto the

tram buy a return from the vending

machines or ask the very friendly staff

next to the tram stock for help okay

next stop will be at castle and I really

hope that you enjoy my guide today

thanks

Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's

most iconic visitor attractions and

attracts over a million visitors every

year so book your tickets early The

Castle is located in the heart of

Edinburgh at the top of the royal Mile

and sits quite spectacularly upon an old

volcanic Rocky Crag making it the most

dominating feature in the city landscape

the obvious strategic advantage of this

large Rock has been utilized since the

Iron Age with the possibility of there

having been an Iron Age Hill Fort

occupying the site

being built on a naturally occurring

volcanic rock gave Edinburgh Castle a

powerful defensive position with steep

Cliffs on three sides making it

extremely difficult to scale it was also

protected by a lock norlock which was

drained between 1813 to 1820 to make

Princess Street Gardens today Edinburgh

Castle is still only approachable from

the east by the Royal Mile and the

castle Esplanade Edinburgh Castle has a

long fascinating history and has been

the focal point for many battles and

sieges none more important than the

Scottish Wars of Independence when the

castle changed hands between the Scots

and the English on many occasions

statues of William Wallace and Robert

the Bruce were added to the castle

Gatehouse in the late 1920s to

commemorate their important roles in

Scottish history today Edinburgh Castle

is perhaps most famous for its

spectacular Royal Edinburgh military

tattoo which takes place on the castle

Esplanade every August

The Sight and Sound of mass pipes and

drums is one of the most uplifting and

Rising experiences any visitor to this

wonderful City can have

book your tickets for the tattoo early

as they are in strong demand something

that often gives visitors a big fright

when visiting the castle or indeed the

city center is the sound of a huge gun

going off from the castle ramparts even

the locals can jump at the sound of it

if they've not visited this city center

for a while don't be alarmed though the

daily one o'clock gun fires blanks and

is just for ceremonial purposes

the gun was originally fired as a Time

signal for ships in the Firth of fourth

and the daily tradition carries on to

this day

to get the most from your visit take one

of the guided tours or an audio guide

which is available in a large number of

languages don't forget that the castle

has a great Cafe if your hunger or needs

ugly rest

come on

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Castle is open all year round except the

25th and 26th of December and it's very

easy to find at the top of the royal

mile there's an excellent restaurant

Cafe and Shop along with brilliant tours

I strongly recommend buying tickets

online in advance and you also get a

small online discount family tickets are

also available which can save you money

and under fives Go free the audio tours

are available in English French German

Spanish Italian Japanese Russian and

Mandarin and some other languages too I

really hope you found this video

enjoyable and useful don't forget to

subscribe for all my other videos in the

series and my new Edinburgh city guide

which I'll link to in the description I

offer a number of special walking tours

in Edinburgh which are the perfect

introduction to the city to find out

more visit my website

www.adventuresin Scotland and I'll put a

link in the description thank you so

much for watching and I really hope to

be able to meet you personally and show

you around my beautiful home City all

the best bye for now