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Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle, like all castles, no longer has any military role to play, but its symbolic role is as important as ever. Within the castle grounds is St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh. This building is nine hundred years old and has survived the destruction of many fortifications around it. St Margaret's Chapel shows how strong the symbolism surrounding castles can be. Churches and castles have gone together, ever since earth banks and ditches were used to build both religious shrines and castles in Neolithic and Iron Age times. Castles and churches have always shared similar architectural features. The tiny St Margaret's Chapel has narrow windows reminiscent of firing slits built into castle walls. There is also a short row of small stylised battlements on one end of the roof. In many ways it is the symbolic power of castle walls which outlasts their physical strength. Tiny St Margaret's Chapel has outlasted the castles around it. When writers talk of symbolism, there's a sense that they are getting technical and academic, but the power of symbols is as real as solid walls. The Stone of Destiny, the great symbol of Scotland, is kept at Edinburgh Castle. This is an ordinary lump of rock, but as a symbol it has been endowed with mysterious properties. People have fought over it. The English king Edward I was a ruthlessly down to earth king, who understood symbolic power. In 1296, after humiliating King John of Scotland at Kincardine Castle, Edward took the Stone of Destiny back to London with him, and put it under the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey. English monarchs would, therefore, be sitting on Scotland when they were crowned. This wasn't an academic exercise. This was power in action.

Edinburgh Castle is visited by about one million people a year. As well as the Stone of Destiny, there are also collections of weapons and armour, and the Scottish Crown Jewels. The Royal Apartments include the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland and I of England. On the ceiling of this room can be seen the initials of mother and baby.

Opening Times: Open daily , except 25th and 26th December.

1st April to 30th September 9.30am - 6pm, with last admission at 5.15pm.

1st October to 31st March 9.30am - 5pm, with last admission at 4.15pm. January 1st the castle is open 11am - 5pm.

Opening times may vary at the time of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August. Please check before you visit.

There are two cafes, an audio tour, and guided tours provided by castle stewards.

Address: Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG Scotland

Directions: Edinburgh Castle is on Castle Rock above Princes Street. Click here for an interactive map centred on Edinburgh Castle.

Access: Wheelchairs are available from the castle for disabled visitors. Most areas are accessible, but steep cobbled walkways can make pushing hard work. Toilets are wheelchair adapted. Car parking is available on the Esplanade directly in front of the castle. There is a courtesy vehicle available to take disabled visitors from the Esplanade to Crown Square. If the vehicle is unavailable you are able to take your own car up to Crown Square. Car parking is not available June to October due to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Contact:

telephone: 0131 225 9846

web: www.edinburghcastle.biz