Inside Edinburgh Castle at a glance
Inside Edinburgh Castle, most of what you came to see sits around Crown Square, the courtyard at the top of the rock. The Royal Palace and the Great Hall face it, the National War Memorial lies on its north side, and the vaults of Prisons of War run beneath it. The chapel, the big gun and the batteries are outdoors on the way.
Not every room can be entered freely, and some stops are outside, so plan for weather. A standard ticket opens the castle but does not include a guide. For the price list see Edinburgh Castle tickets, and plan at least 2 hours.
What is where inside the castle
The main stops, in the order most visitors walk them.
| Stop | Where | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Half Moon Battery | East, above the main entrance | Guns dated 1810, built over the remains of David's Tower |
| Mons Meg | In front of St Margaret's Chapel | A siege gun given to James II in 1457 |
| St Margaret's Chapel | Near the top of the rock | Built about 1130, still used for baptisms and weddings |
| Great Hall | Crown Square | Finished in 1511, with historic weapons, armour and the timber roof |
| Royal Palace | Crown Square | Royal Apartments, with the birth chamber seen from a barrier |
| Crown Room | First floor of the Royal Palace, east side | The Honours of Scotland |
| National War Memorial | North side of Crown Square | Opened 1927, quiet space, no photography |
| Prisons of War | Vaults below Crown Square | Prison conditions around 1800, several short flights of steps |
| One O'Clock Gun | Mills Mount Battery | Fires at 13:00 except Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day |
For most first-time visitors, the order above works well: start at the battery, climb to the chapel, then spend your main time around Crown Square. Leave the gun for 13:00 if you are there on a day when it fires. See the One O'Clock Gun page for where to stand.
Our pick: the inside with a guide
Our take: after the guided part you have time for the museums on your own.
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 tours and tickets
Castle entry with a guide, audio guides and Royal Mile walks, with live prices and availability. Check which options include admission.
Mons Meg and the batteries
Mons Meg is a medieval siege gun, a gift to James II in 1457. It weighs about 6 tonnes and fired stone balls of 150 kg for up to 3.2 km. It stands in front of St Margaret's Chapel and is a different gun from the One O'Clock Gun.
The Half Moon Battery above the main entrance was built on the ruins of David's Tower, which fell in the Lang Siege of 1571 to 1573. The guns standing there today date from 1810. The One O'Clock Gun on the Mills Mount Battery is a 105 mm field gun, in use since 2001, beside the Redcoat Café.
Around Crown Square
The palace, the hall, the Honours and the memorial.
Great Hall
Completed for James IV in 1511. It later served as a barracks and a military hospital and was restored in the late 19th century, so the room is not unchanged. Today you see historic weapons and armour and the timber roof structure. It has ramp access.
Royal Palace
The Royal Apartments are open. Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI here in 1566, and the birth chamber can be seen only from a roped-off viewing area. Expect steps in the apartments, and do not expect to enter every chamber.
History of the castle →Crown Room
The crown, sceptre and sword of state are shown in the Crown Room on the first floor of the Royal Palace. The room was refurbished in early 2026. The Stone of Destiny is not here: it has been at Perth Museum since March 2024.
Honours of Scotland →Prisons of War
The vaults under Crown Square show prison conditions around 1800, when prisoners of war, many of them sailors, were held here. Reaching them means several short flights of steps.
The Scottish National War Memorial
The memorial on the north side of Crown Square opened in 1927. It remembers those who died in both world wars and later conflicts, and it has sculpture and stained glass. It is a place for quiet. Photography of any kind is not allowed inside.
The memorial also offers a separate visit for remembrance alone. That does not give you a free general visit to the castle. The National War Museum has its own hours, which you find on the opening hours page.
Steps, slopes and access
The castle is not fully step-free.
The climb
The main climb inside the castle is about 350 m, and the steepest point is 15 degrees. Paths are cobbled and uneven. Wear suitable shoes.
Ramps and steps
The Great Hall and the National War Memorial have ramp access. Prisons of War and the Royal Apartments have steps.
Assistance
Up to two carers can be booked free of charge per transaction for a disabled visitor. A mobility vehicle does not run between 12:15 and 13:15 because of the One O'Clock Gun.
Ticket options →Loud noise
The gun gives a sudden loud bang. A limited supply of ear defenders can be borrowed.
One O'Clock Gun →
Inside Edinburgh Castle: frequently asked questions
What is there to see inside Edinburgh Castle?
The Honours of Scotland, the Royal Palace, the Great Hall, St Margaret's Chapel, Mons Meg, the National War Memorial, the Prisons of War vaults and the batteries, including the One O'Clock Gun. Plan at least 2 hours.
Can I enter every room?
No. The birth chamber of James VI can be seen only from a roped-off viewing area, and some parts have steps. Do not expect free entry to every chamber.
Where are the Crown Jewels?
The Honours of Scotland are in the Crown Room on the first floor of the Royal Palace, on the east side of Crown Square.
Can I take photos inside?
Photography of any kind is not allowed in the National War Memorial. Rules can differ by room, so follow the signs.
Is the castle accessible for wheelchairs?
Partly. The Great Hall and the War Memorial have ramp access, but Prisons of War and the Royal Apartments have steps, and the paths are steep and cobbled.
Is edinburgh-castle.org the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not connected to the castle or to Historic Environment Scotland. Check the current visitor notice before you go.