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Edinburgh Castle

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Edinburgh Castle, in Scotland, is visited by about one million people a year. The Stone of Destiny, the great symbol of Scotland, can be seen here. 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 the Sixth of Scotland and the First of England. On the ceiling of this room can be seen the initials of mother and baby. 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 castles 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. They have always shared similar architectural features. The tiny St Margaret's Chapel has narrow windows reminiscent of the 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 out lasted 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 the walls of Edinburgh Castle. The Stone of Destiny is an ordinary lump of rock, but as a symbol it has been endowed with mysterious properties. People have fought over it. Edward the First was a ruthlessly down to earth king, who understood the power of symbols. 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 looks wonderful as it stands over Edinburgh. There is a sense of romance , mystery and permanence that goes beyond any military function. Edinburgh castle still has a role to play in the way it looks. The castle offers a kind of spiritual security, a symbolic reassurance. This is the same kind of security which is suggested when you see the stylised battlements and castle towers of church architecture. We continue to use the same sorts of buildings in seeking spiritual and physical security.

Opening Times: Edinburgh Castle is open everyday, except 25th and 26th of December. From 1st April to 31st October opening is 9:30am to 6pm, with last admission at 5.15pm and from 1st November to 31st March 9:30am to 5pm, with last admission at 4.15pm. There are two cafes, an audio tour, and guided tours provided by castle stewards.

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:

phone: 0131 2259846

web: www.edinburghcastle.biz