The Honours of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle
The Honours of Scotland are the Scottish crown jewels: a crown, a sceptre and a sword of state. They are the oldest crown jewels in Britain. They are not the Crown Jewels kept at the Tower of London, which are a separate collection.
You see the Honours in the Crown Room, on the first floor of the Royal Palace on the east side of Crown Square. They are part of a castle visit, so you reach them with castle admission. Look at Edinburgh Castle tickets for time slots and prices, or at guided visits and Old Town tours if you want a guide.
How the Honours got here
Four dates that explain what you see.
1540
The crown belongs to the reign of James V and was worn in 1540. It is the centrepiece of the display.
1543
Mary Queen of Scots was crowned with the crown and the sceptre.
1707
After the Union, the Honours were locked away.
1818
The Honours were rediscovered with the help of Walter Scott and later went on show in the castle.
Our pick: the Crown Room with a guide
Our take: the castle ticket in this tour includes the Crown Room.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Edinburgh Castle tickets and Old Town tours
Castle tickets, Royal Mile walks and day trips, with live prices and availability.
The Crown Room today
What to expect when you get there.
The Crown Room was refurbished in early 2026, with a new display case and restored wood panelling. The Honours are on display in the Crown Room again. Individual days can differ, so check the opening times and any notices before you go.
Where it is
First floor of the Royal Palace, east side of Crown Square. The castle sits at the top of the Royal Mile, and the walk up to the palace is uphill on cobbles.
Inside the castle →How much time to allow
The castle suggests at least 2 hours for the main attractions. The Honours are one stop among several, together with the Great Hall, St Margaret's Chapel and Mons Meg.
The royal apartments
The Royal Apartments are open. The room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in 1566 can only be seen from a roped-off area. Do not expect to walk into every chamber.
Steps and access
The Great Hall and the Scottish National War Memorial have ramp access. The palace apartments have steps. The castle as a whole is not step-free, so plan your route if mobility matters.
The Stone of Destiny is in Perth
It is no longer an exhibit at Edinburgh Castle.
The Stone of Destiny, also called the Stone of Scone, was in Edinburgh Castle for years. It moved to Perth in March 2024, shortly before the Perth Museum opened, and it can be seen there free of charge. Do not plan a castle visit around seeing it.
| Honours of Scotland | Stone of Destiny | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Crown Room, Edinburgh Castle | Perth Museum, Perth |
| Cost (2026) | Castle ticket, adult £23.50 online, £26.00 on the day | Free |
| Booking | Standard ticket for a date and time, or a Flexi ticket (adult £38) | Single visitors reserve a time slot at reception; no online booking needed |
| Opening | From 9:30 a.m.; last entry 5 p.m. from April to September, 4 p.m. for most of the winter | October to April: Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
| On arrival | Bag checks are possible | Bag checks; be at the Stone entrance 5 minutes before your slot |
The Perth Museum closes for planned work from 1 to 12 January 2027 and reopens on 13 January 2027. Groups of about 10 people or more should contact the museum before they come. For most visitors, the castle is the trip to make for the Honours, and Perth is a separate day out for the Stone.
Tickets and extras for the visit
Prices for 2026.
Castle ticket
Adults aged 16 to 64 pay £23.50 online or £26.00 on the day. Visitors aged 65 and over pay £19.00 online or £21.00 on the day. Children aged 7 to 15 pay £11.50 online or £13.00 on the day. Children under 7 are free, but add them to the online booking.
Flexi ticket
One entry on any day within 7 days of the date you choose, with no time slot to book. Adults pay £38, concessions £30.50 and children £22.50.
Audio guide and tour
The audio guide costs £4 and is available in German. The guided tour is a separate product at £6.50 per person: 30 minutes, in English, mostly outdoors. A standard ticket does not include it.
Explorer Pass
The Explorer Pass covers 14 consecutive days with one visit per site, including Edinburgh and Stirling Castle. Adult price is £48 from 1 April to 31 October 2026. It does not include the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
More on the castle
Plan the rest of your visit.
Edinburgh Castle tickets
Online and on-site prices, Flexi tickets and the audio guide.
What to see inside
Great Hall, St Margaret's Chapel, Mons Meg and the war memorial.
Castle history
From Castle Rock to the sieges and the Union.
Opening hours
Summer and winter times and last entry.
Crown jewels in Edinburgh: frequently asked questions
Are the Scottish crown jewels in Edinburgh Castle?
Yes. The Honours of Scotland, meaning the crown, the sceptre and the sword of state, are shown in the Crown Room in the Royal Palace. The Crown Room was refurbished in early 2026.
Where is the Stone of Destiny now?
The Stone of Destiny has been at the Perth Museum since March 2024. Entry to the Stone is free. Single visitors take a time slot at reception.
Do I need a separate ticket for the Honours?
The Honours are shown inside the castle, so you reach them with your castle ticket. Book a date and time in advance, or buy a Flexi ticket that is valid for one entry on any day within 7 days.
Are these the same as the Crown Jewels in London?
No. The Honours of Scotland are a separate collection. The crown jewels at the Tower of London belong to a different story and a different building.
Is this the official Edinburgh Castle website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Historic Environment Scotland or by the castle, and it does not sell castle tickets itself.