Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh
castle in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:55
Welcome to Edinburgh Castle, one of the most iconic and historically significant fortified sites in all of Europe. As you stand here upon the Castle Esplanade, you are positioned on the threshold of a fortress that has dominated…
Listen in the app2Section 1 — The Esplanade and the Gatehouse1:37
Our journey begins on the Castle Esplanade, a vast open space that serves as the ceremonial entrance to the fortress. Every August, this area is transformed into the stage for the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo,…
Listen in the app3Section 2 — The Portcullis Gate and the Lower Ward1:39
Passing through the Gatehouse, you ascend into the Lower Ward. Above you hangs the Portcullis Gate, a formidable barrier that remains a literal 'overhanging' threat to those who enter. …
Listen in the app4Section 3 — The Prisons of War and the Vaults1:40
Hidden beneath the grand buildings of the upper ward is a much darker world: the Prisons of War. These deep stone vaults were transformed in the 1700s and 1800s to hold thousands of prisoners from conflicts across the globe,…
Listen in the app5Section 4 — Foog's Gate and St Margaret's Chapel1:32
We now pass through Foog’s Gate, the final line of defense before reaching the Upper Ward and the royal heart of the castle. The origin of the name 'Foog's' is a local mystery—some suggest it refers to the 'old fogies' or veteran…
Listen in the app6Section 5 — Mons Meg and the One O'Clock Gun1:41
Perched on the ramparts near St Margaret's Chapel is one of the most famous pieces of medieval artillery in the world: Mons Meg. This massive 'bombard' was forged in 1449 in what is now Belgium and gifted to King James II in 1457. …
Listen in the app7Section 6 — Crown Square and the Great Hall1:33
We now enter Crown Square, the grand courtyard at the very summit of the castle. This space is enclosed by four major buildings that represented the core of Scottish power: the Royal Palace, the Great Hall, the Queen Anne…
Listen in the app8Section 7 — The Royal Palace and the Honours of Scotland2:01
Our final stop within the castle is the Royal Palace, the residence of Scottish monarchs when they stayed within these defensive walls. It is here that some of the most dramatic events in Scottish history unfolded. …
Listen in the app9Edinburgh Castle1:29
As you descend from the Royal Palace and make your way back toward the gatehouse, take a final look at the Scottish National War Memorial. This sacred space, converted in the 1920s, commemorates the 200,000 Scots who fell in the…
Listen in the app10Closing1:29
As you descend from the Royal Palace and make your way back toward the gatehouse, take a final look at the Scottish National War Memorial. This sacred space, converted in the 1920s, commemorates the 200,000 Scots who fell in the…
Listen in the app
What is Edinburgh Castle?
Edinburgh Castle is a place in Edinburgh with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Edinburgh |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Total length | 16 min 36 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 55.9487, -3.2007 |
| Last updated |
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within a 5-minute walk
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