Edinburgh Castle is majestically perched on top of a massive outcrop of volcanic rock that overlooks the city of Edinburgh. While it may look forboding to visitors to the city, with its gloomy crags and menacing presence, the castle has come to represent a symbol of hope and triumph for the Scottish people. The city is steeped in history and offers visitors a myriad of different things. Here are some of the most popular things on offer in the castle.
Start with a bang
Once you have made your way up to the castle through the Princes Street Gardens you will be able to make your way into the castle to see the one o clock gun go off. Here a 25 pound WWII cannon fires off a large round of ammunition to mark the hour of 1 pm. While some might find it an ear-shattering experience, some more enthusiastic tourists find it a real laugh.
Descend into the darkness of the castle vaults
Beneath the Great Hall lies the castle vaults and prison where tourists can see where prisoners were once held. The vaults giant wooden door still has graffiti that was carved by the prisoners who had been kept in the dungeons over the centuries. The vaults are full of forgotten chambers and winding corridors and are believed to be haunted by the headless drummer boy and a gaggle of French prisoners. If you are interested in some amateur ghost hunting then explore the vaults for your very own sighting.
See the Honors of Scotland in the Crown Room
Although peculiarly named, the Honors of Scotland are actually the Scottish crown jewels that include a glorious crown, a scepter, and a sword. The Honours were lost to history until they were found hidden in a chest that had been hidden (or possibly lost) in the castle. The fact that they were once lost makes viewing them even more special. You can also see the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish monarchy that was stolen by the English KIng and was then placed beneath the British monarch’s throne in Westminster abbey. The stone was stolen back in 1950 but was luckily eventually found. In 1996 the stone was finally returned to Scotland to take its rightful place in the castle.
Visit the Great Hall
The castles Great Hall is an excellent place to find medieval Scottish design and architecture and the rooms enormity and ancient timbers leave visitors astonished at the rooms might. This is the room where kings and queen have dined and it’s also the place where King James I of England was born.
Some visitors have claimed to hear the music of a piper who is rumored to haunt this part of the castle.