Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock, the core of an extinct volcano, at the western end of the Old Town, and it dominates almost every view of the city centre. People have fortified this rock for centuries, and the castle has been besieged and captured repeatedly, from Edward I's capture in 1296 and the Lang Siege of 1571 to 1573 to Cromwell's three-month siege in 1650. The last military action here came during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Today the castle is owned by the Scottish Ministers and run by Historic Environment Scotland, while the British Army still uses parts of the site.

The highlights are spread across several levels, so it pays to plan a route. At the top, St Margaret's Chapel dates from the 12th century and is the oldest building in Edinburgh. Nearby, the Royal Palace holds the Crown Room, where the Honours of Scotland (the crown, sceptre and sword of state) are displayed with the Stone of Scone, which returned to Scotland in 1996. The Great Hall, the Scottish National War Memorial, the medieval siege gun Mons Meg and the recreated prisons of war are also part of the visit, and the National War Museum covers four centuries of Scottish military history.

Time your visit around the One O'Clock Gun, fired from Mill's Mount Battery every day at 1pm except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Many visitors gather on the battery a little beforehand to see it. The views north across the New Town to the Firth of Forth are among the best in the city, especially on a clear morning.

The castle opens from 9.30am daily. Tickets often sell out well in advance in summer, and the official site advises booking online for the best price and guaranteed entry. Allow at least two to three hours to see the main buildings without rushing. The Tea Rooms in Crown Square and the Redcoat Café are the two places to eat inside the walls, and afternoon tea packages that include admission are sold on the castle's own website. The site is steep and cobbled in places, so wear comfortable shoes; there is a dedicated phone line for disabled access and parking enquiries.

The castle suits almost everyone, from families and first-time visitors to history enthusiasts. Afterwards, walk down the Royal Mile towards St Giles' Cathedral, or drop down to the Grassmarket for lunch. Princes Street Gardens and the Scottish National Gallery are a short walk below the castle's northern slopes.