Edinburgh Castle is one of Britain’s most popular tourist attractions and is inextricably linked with Scottish history. Perched 400 feet over the city on a long extinct volcanic rock, it also provides Edinburgh with an icon of its famous skyline.
The existence of a settlement at Edinburgh Castle dates back to around 600 AD, however the castle as we know it today was first constructed in the late 11th century during the reign of David I. It is easy to see the strategic importance of its location as a royal stronghold with its lofty position and flanked on three sides sheer rock face or steep terraces, a challenge for any attacker. The Castle was, and remains today, most accessible from the East where a softer slope rises to the crag along what is now the bustling Royal Mile.
Entry to the Castle is gained via the Esplanade which acts as vehicle parking for the most part of the year but which springs to life throughout August when it hosts the magnificent Edinburgh Military Tattoo as part of the Edinburgh Festival. Passing through the Gatehouse you then cross the drawbridge to some of the Castle’s original and impressive military defences including the Portcullis Gate and the Half Moon Battery from where you can gain stunning views over the city. Don’t miss the ritual of the firing of the one o’clock gun on Mill’s Mount Battery.
Within the grounds of the Castle you’ll discover a number of interesting areas. What was once a castle hospital now houses the National War Museum of Scotland a fascinating collection of medals, uniforms and other military memorabilia detailing 400 years of Scottish military history. St Margaret’s Chapel, is believed to be one of the oldest structures not only within the Castle grounds but within Edinburgh and dates back to the 11th century.
On one side of Crown Square lies the Palace which dates back to the 1400s but was later renovated considerably in the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. Within the Palace one of the main attractions is the Honours of Scotland containing the Scottish crown jewels which were last used in the coronation of Scottish Monarch Charles II. Also amongst the honours is the Scottish Stone of Destiny surrounded by myth it was stolen by the English and placed in Westminster Abbey for nearly 700 years until its return to Scotland in 1996. On the other side of Crown Square you’ll find the fitting Scottish National War Memorial commemorating Scottish men who fought and died for their country in the First World War.
A visit to Edinburgh Castle will be a highlight of any Edinburgh city break or Scottish vacation.
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A Great Britain driving tour - experience all that is great about Britain on the ultimate tour of England, Scotland and Wales. See it all, from the thriving capital cities of London, Edinburgh and Cardiff to the remote Scottish Highlands, tranquil Lake District an d spectacular Snowdonia National Park. Along the way you’ll experience diverse cultures and histories and see world-famous landmarks including Stonehenge, the Roman Baths, Cardiff Castle, the Cotswolds, Hadrian’s Wall, Loch Ness and Edinburgh Castle.
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One of our best Scotland Driving Tours – Scotland Explorer offers a comprehensive itinerary taking you on a journey to the corners of this beautiful nation; see Scotland from the bustling cultural and historic cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to the expansive wilderness of the Scottish Highlands. From the rugged beauty of the West coast and Isle of Skye to the cultural sites of the East Coast and Aberdeenshire. Along the way see sparkling lochs, towering mountain ranges, ancient castle ruins, and whisky distilleries – a truly Scottish experience.
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A brief escorted Britain tour – discover the essence of Britain on this whirlwind coach tour of England and Scotland. Enjoy a journey of contrasts from the thriving capital cities of London and Edinburgh to the tranquil areas of natural beauty in the English Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. Along the way you’ll discover the bustling cultural hubs of Glasgow and Liverpool, birthplace of the Beatles, where you’ll enjoy live music in the world-famous Cavern Club!
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Enjoy this Scottish Highlands escorted tour for a leisurely trip of Scotland which focusses on the spectacular history, culture and scenery of the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye. Discover a host of iconic and lesser known Scottish castles, the seats of royalty and ancient clans, cruise on misty lochs and take a stunning highland rail journey. The leisurely pace offers stays of a minimum of two nights in each location.
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A Quality Britain Coach Tour - Experience the very best of England, Scotland and Wales on this journey throughout all of Britain. Enjoy a host of fabulous cities - these include historic York, elegant Edinburgh, and bustling Glasgow. Not to mention, the hidden gem in Cardiff. On your journey, pass through some of Britain’s most famous areas of outstanding scenery - pass through the Cotswolds, Yorkshire and the Trossachs of Scotland. Not to mention the Lake District and the renowned coastal counties of England's West Country; Devon and Cornwall.
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A Britain Castle Tour - Indulge in the history and heritage of England, Scotland and Wales by day and see its character reflected in your unique and distinguished accommodation each night on this deluxe tour of Britain. With your overnight accommodation in quality castle or manor house hotels, your tour will take you through the elegant cities of York, Bath, Oxford and Edinburgh as well as the natural beauty of the Cotswolds, the Yorkshire Moors, the Scottish Lowlands and the mountains of Snowdonia.
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A brief escorted Britain tour - this succinct but feature-packed tour is a spirited journey that captures the essence of Britain in only a few days. Visiting England, Scotland and Wales it includes a fantastic cross-section of Britain’s historical towns, traditional heritage, cultural figures and idyllic scenic landscapes not to mention some real gems of this great nation. A great introduction to Britain for those on a time budget without compromising on quality!
View this tourGet off the beaten tourist track as you journey from Windsor to Edinburgh through the beautiful West of Britain. Explore England’s picturesque coastal counties of Devon and Cornwall, see unrivalled vistas in Wales’ Snowdonia National Park, pass through the majestic Lake District and tour two of Scotland’s most elegant cities in, Edinburgh and St Andrews.
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A Scottish Highlands Coach Tour - Explore beyond Scotland's tartan façade where there lies 8,000 years of history and a rich cultural heritage, while the drama and variety of her natural features never fail to impress. Explore the Northern Highlands and Isles of Orkney and Skye on the Country Roads of Scotland Tour which is well paced and offers two-night stays in both Edinburgh and Thurso.
View this tourAn exclusive luxury Britain coach tour - Discover the essence of Britain through knowledgeable experts and passionate locals introducing you to stories of Britain from past to present. Visit significant destinations once frequented by British greats such as Shakespeare and renowned kings. Travel in style on this elegant tour, and spend your evenings in a hand-picked selection of exclusive hotels. Enjoy travel through England to Scotland, whilst relishing in a range of VIP experiences such as the Tower of London for a private viewing of the Ceremony of the Keys, Edinburgh castle and visits to royal gardens. On route visit the Georgian city of Bath and the mesmerising dales of the Lake District on this relaxing, well-paced tour is a trip of a lifetime.
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Classic Britain - a snapshot of the countryside and historic cities of England, Scotland and Wales. Enjoy the rolling hills and thatch villages of the Cotswolds to the towering mountains and fortresses of North Wales. Pass through the lakes and dales of the English Lake District and the rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands and Yorkshire Dales. Historic cities to explore on route include Regency Bath, Medieval York, and the capital cities of Edinburgh and London.
View this tourAn escorted tour of England and Scotand, discover some of Britain’s finest cities and all that’s in between on this leisurely trip of the East of Britain. Travelling from Edinburgh to London via York, you’ll enjoy overnight stays in our most renowned historic and cultural centres whilst your daily excursions will take you to a host of smaller towns and areas of natural beauty including St Andrews, the Scottish Borders, the North Yorkshire Moors and the Cotswolds.
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Make use of Britain's extensive rail network on this comprehensive rail tour of England, Scotland and Wales. Enjoy train rides through the glorious scenery of the Cotswolds, North Wales, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands on route to cultural and historic cities including Bath, Cardiff, Chester, Glasgow, Inverness, Edinburgh, York and London.
View this tourA Brief Britain Coach Tour – Offering an introduction to amazing Britain, this itinerary will take you on a fast-paced journey through the highlights of England and Scotland. Discover natural landscapes and iconic historic cities; scenic drives take you through the Cotswolds, Yorkshire, the English Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. By contrast you’ll also see renowned cities such as York, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and Bath. A well-paced tour that enables you to see all of Amazing Britain.
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A Comprehensive Britain Coach Tour - This elegant tour of Scotland and England evokes a bygone age; discover traditional villages, stately homes, historic castles and beautiful gardens. Enjoy a leisurely touring pace with two-night stays in each overnight destination. Enjoying expertly planned day excursions or city tours from your accommodation bases, not to mention a fabulous array of local visits designed to showcase each region in depth. A truly engaging and well balanced itinerary of Britain.
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