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A trip to Scotland’s capital isn’t complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Part of The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh World Heritage Site and standing majestically on top of a 340 million year-old extinct volcanic rock, the castle is a powerful national symbol. Fascinating to explore and simply unmissable.

21/10/2026

Did you know the castle has some ghostly legends?

Have you heard the tales of The Grey Lady or The Headless Drummer? If you spend some time in castle you never know you may just bump into them👻

🏰Now that our Whispers of the Past and Whisper After Dark tours are now fully booked, one thing is clear... there are plenty of you who love the spine-tingling side of the castle!

Do you know of any chilling castle tales? Share your stories in the comments below 👇

Walk the plank or join the crew. How about get imprisoned in a castle instead? 🏴‍☠️🏰 When you think of prisoners held a...
17/10/2026

Walk the plank or join the crew. How about get imprisoned in a castle instead? 🏴‍☠️🏰

When you think of prisoners held at the castle, you might rightly think of soldiers, rival royals, and once-vaunted courtiers brought low, but you probably aren’t thinking of swashbucklers from the high-seas! But hidden within our prisons is a tale that sailed all the way from the Caribbean.

More than 300 years ago, toward the end of the Golden Age of Piracy, two pirates, John Clark and John Stewart, were held prisoner here after their adventures under the black flag came to a dramatic, and abrupt end.

Their tales are full of everything you’d expect from a piratical life on the ocean-blue, with mutiny, stolen treasure, shipwreck, the Royal Navy, and even a long drop with a short stop.

They even crossed paths with one of the most notorious pirates, Captain ‘Black Bart’ Roberts.

You can read their full story on our blog, and find out more about their stay in Edinburgh
📖https://ow.ly/Y23T50ZWOzQ

What secrets will you discover at the castle this October? 🍂✨This October Holidays, look a little closer at Scotland's m...
16/10/2026

What secrets will you discover at the castle this October? 🍂✨

This October Holidays, look a little closer at Scotland's most famous fortress and uncover the stories hidden in the plants and trees that grow within our walls on Wild Magic an autumn family trail.

As you journey through this ancient place, discover the beliefs, folklore and traditions that people once thought were held within the natural world. Discover remedies, protections and tales of luck and legend as you learn how generations of Scots looked to plants and trees for guidance, healing and hope.

Complete the trail and you'll earn a sticker reward. 🌿

But that's only part of our story the October as there’s so much more to discover!

Continue your adventure through centuries of Scottish history. Come face-to-face with mighty Mons Meg, listen out for the firing of the one o’clock gun (bonus points if you can guess when it goes off) and explore the fortress that has witnessed royal celebrations, dramatic sieges and defining moments in Scotland's story.

What will your family uncover? Book your tickets now at https://ow.ly/nb8l50ZYs6a

📸 Mons Meg image Marc Millar

You may have noticed the castle floodlit in pink last night, in support of .Tonight (Thursday 15 October), the castle w...
15/10/2026

You may have noticed the castle floodlit in pink last night, in support of .

Tonight (Thursday 15 October), the castle will be floodlit again in blue.

Baby Loss Awareness UK

❗Important visitor update ❗ Due to high winds, the castle has had to close at the earlier time of 2pm today (Wed 14 Oct)...
14/10/2026

❗Important visitor update ❗

Due to high winds, the castle has had to close at the earlier time of 2pm today (Wed 14 Oct)

Ticketholders will receive an email with further information. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused.

Boooooooks! Booooooks! Books! Get scarily into reading this October with a good book, all about history! We're quaking i...
11/10/2026

Boooooooks! Booooooks! Books! Get scarily into reading this October with a good book, all about history!

We're quaking in our medieval boots to get our hands on the fun-and-fact-filled Horrible Histories series, with Halloween favourites like 'Ghosts' and 'Dark Knights and Dingy Castles' ready to uncover the grizzly side of history!

Take a look through our digital shelves, and find the perfect read for you this scary season! Check out the full collection in our online shop: https://ow.ly/flmm50ZWaWr

Are you October Holiday plans historic? 🍂🏰If you’re planning a trip to our fantastic castle this October, make sure you ...
10/10/2026

Are you October Holiday plans historic? 🍂🏰

If you’re planning a trip to our fantastic castle this October, make sure you book your ticket in advance as we’re pretty popular when we’re wearing out autumnal colours.

So whether you’re coming to see the sweeping panoramic views, incredible history, or taking part in our autumn family trail – Wild Magic! – make sure you plan ahead so you don’t miss out.

You can book tickets on our website and find out about all the incredible things going on this October: https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/plan-your-visit/tickets/

What are you coming to us to see?

Did you know that within the Royal Palace at the castle is the Royal Birthing Room, a small bed-closet where Mary, Queen...
08/10/2026

Did you know that within the Royal Palace at the castle is the Royal Birthing Room, a small bed-closet where Mary, Queen of Scots supposedly gave birth to her only child, James VI.

In 1566, Mary came to the safety of the castle while heavily pregnant. Earlier that year, her secretary David Riccio had been murdered in front of her eyes by a group of nobles. Later that year, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy and named him James.

The people of Scotland rejoiced at the arrival of a male heir. Yet for Mary, the birth marked the beginning of another difficult chapter. Just 13 months later, she was deposed in favour of her infant son.

If you visit the Royal Palace today, you can still peek inside the tiny chamber where the future king was born. Look carefully and you'll see decoration that survives from later alterations made by King James VI.

Do you like Halloween puns? How about a pun title for a Halloween event right here at our castle? 🎃🏰To celebrate the Hal...
06/10/2026

Do you like Halloween puns? How about a pun title for a Halloween event right here at our castle? 🎃🏰

To celebrate the Halloween Shenanigans taking place at the castle on Sat 31 October, we’re changing our name to Edin-boo! Castle as historical figures from the castle’s past will step our from the shadows to tell their secrets!

Join us between 11am & 3pm, ghoulishly good fun is guaranteed!

Halloween Shenanigans is included in your ticket to the castle, which is free for members, so all you need to do is book your ticket on our website.
https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/public-performances/performance/?eventId=e7082024-8f74-4229-aab8-b34001033885/

📸Rob McDougall

Address

Edinburgh

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm
Thursday 9:30am - 6pm
Friday 9:30am - 6pm
Saturday 9:30am - 6pm
Sunday 9:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+441312259846

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