Famous House, 1 minute From Edinburgh Castle

The castle staff were friendly and helpful, which made the visit more pleasant. I also loved the views across Edinburgh, and you can sense the history as you walk around. Its fame and importance made it interesting to see, but the visit didn’t quite match what I’d hoped for. It was so crowded that moving through the site sometimes felt like being stuck in a slow queue. Quite a few areas were closed, restricted, or cost extra despite the already expensive ticket. The exhibits also felt limited. The modern cannon was cool, but little else struck me as especially memorable. I’d still say it’s worth going once for the history and scenery, though the crowds and price made it less exciting than expected. Three stars from me.

Buy tickets before you go. I didn’t feel a guided tour was essential, since you can explore the castle’s history and scale on your own and take things at your own pace. The tour does add some facts and context, though, and you can keep exploring after it ends. If I had another day on that trip, I’d have gone back, and I’ll visit again when I return. There’s loads to see across the grounds, including the jail, regimental museums, fallen soldiers’ memorial, bailey, batteries, and keep. The views are incredible, rivalled only by the ones from the top of Arthur's seat. It was one of my favourite experiences in Scotland, and a must when you’re in Edinburgh. It gets busy, so go early for the best photos. The palace and crown jewels queues can get long at peak times. A weekday morning or late afternoon is a good bet, though with a place this inspiring, some crowds are to be expected.

We spent several hours at Edinburgh Castle and enjoyed it all. Make sure to book ahead, since it’s so popular and advance tickets help with entry on your chosen date and time. The views over the city are breathtaking, and there’s a lot of Scotland’s history to take in, from the Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny to the military displays. Mons Meg was especially memorable. Standing beside that medieval siege cannon really shows its size and the engineering of its time. The One O’Clock Gun is another distinctive part of the visit. Seeing it fire at 1:00 PM was fun, so try to time your visit for that if you can. It was one of the highlights of our Scotland trip, and an easy recommendation in Edinburgh, whether you’re into history, architecture, military heritage, or just want the city views.

We went in September while staying with family in Glasgow, and everyone enjoyed exploring together, from the kids to our in-laws and siblings. The Scottish Crown Jewels were a particular highlight, and the history is fascinating. Seeing the 1pm cannon fire was a memorable moment for all of us. It was very busy, but there were lots of activities outside the castle too. A great family visit and a highlight of our Scotland trip.