Edinburgh Castle

"This 12th-century fortress has seen a lot of action over the years. Many different eerie experiences have been reported, including unexplained music echoing through the halls. Many believe it comes from the ghost of a piper who died in the castle while investigating a series of tunnels that had been discovered — they were later resealed, but his tunes can still be heard on quiet nights. A ghostly drummer has also been spotted along the battlements and was known to appear prior to an attack." - Travel + Leisure Editors

"Perched on a great rock above Edinburgh’s New Town, this impressive castle dominates the city. Iron Age warriors understood the site’s military potential and built a fort here in the late first century C.E. It changed hands several times during the Wars of Independence, but was retaken from the English in 1314 and served for many years as the home of royalty, from Queen Margaret to Mary Queen of Scots. From the 1600s onward, the castle functioned as a military base with a large garrison and later held prisoners of war. Today, it’s a world-famous attraction, home to the Stone of Destiny on which kings were enthroned for centuries. Guests can tour the Great Hall and the Royal Palace, admire the Scottish crown jewels, and visit Edinburgh’s oldest building, St. Margaret’s Chapel. Also on-site is the National War Museum, which details 400 years of Scotland at war, and the Scottish National War Memorial, honoring those who gave their lives for the nation. For even more military history, check out the cavernous stone vaults beneath the Great Hall that once held war prisoners, or head to the Regimental Museum, which cover everything from the Covenanters to Napoléon and Waterloo. Visit in the early afternoon and you’ll witness the firing of the One O’Clock Gun—a beloved Edinburgh tradition."

"Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world; it towers above Scotland’s capital from its seat upon Castle Rock. Like the rest of Edinburgh, it is very, very old; the oldest building dates back to the 12th century, but there has been a fortress here since the Iron Age. Highlights include the grand and elaborate Great Hall, built for James IV in 1511; the Stone of Destiny, used to anoint Scottish kings since before the 1200s (famously stolen from Westminster Abbey in 1950 and brought back to Scotland in secret); and the Crown Jewels." - Freya Herring

"Overlooking the city and capping Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle looms over Scotland’s capital. Inside the ticket-only affair, you’ll see the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and room after majestic room befitting of Scotland’s former royal family. Don’t miss the quiet calm of Saint Margaret’s Chapel, built in 1130, the oldest building in Edinburgh, or the National War Museum, also onsite. Visit the castle earlier in the day rather than later, when it can get crowded, but stick around until 1 p.m. if you can, when a gun is shot into the sky. And if you don’t want to pay the steep £18.50 entry fee (about $24), walk up the Royal Mile to the top and you'll still get to see the castle up close. The scenic views over Edinburgh and the mountains beyond come free of charge." - Freya Herring

"This is probably the most Edinburgh site in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world; it towers above Scotland’s capital from its seat upon Castle Rock. Like the rest of Edinburgh, it is very, very old; the oldest building dates back to the 12th century, but there has been a fortress here since the Iron Age. Highlights include the grand and elaborate Great Hall, built for James IV in 1511; the Stone of Destiny, used to anoint Scottish kings since before the 1200s (famously stolen from Westminster Abbey in 1950 and brought back to Scotland in secret); and the Crown Jewels (worn by Mary Queen of Scots herself when she was coronated in 1543). Try and be at the castle for 1pm to witness the One O’clock Gun, which has been fired every day—except Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday—since 1861. Wow. So what's the inside of it actually like? Walking through the rooms of Edinburgh Castle is like wandering into the "Game of Thrones" set that's come alive. Is there a guided tour, or do we proceed at our own pace? Tickets include guided tours; the meeting point is just through the Portcullis Gate and past the audio booth. But if you would rather navigate yourself, then just follow the blue shields dotted around the castle, which mark the best route. Who comes here? This is a very touristy castle; in fact, it draws 2 million people a year. Despite its touristy-ness, will we still get something out of it? Edinburgh Castle lives up to the hype, but it's a lengthy experience with lots of information. To get a first-hand experience of Scottish monarchic history, though, there's nowhere better to turn. Sounds good. Anything else we should know before planning a visit? If you’re on a limited budget, Edinburgh Castle might not be for you—admission costs £18.50. But you can get pretty close to the castle just by walking up the Royal Mile, and that trek is well worth it; even from the outside, the view over Edinburgh is spectacular. If time’s your issue, the castle has an hourlong itinerary mapped out on its website." - Freya Herring