Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle looks over the city of Edinburgh from its perch on top of an extinct volcano. The oldest building in Edinburgh and its most popular tourist attraction, the castle has served both as fortress and royal residence. Today, it houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and Mons Meg (a massive 15th-century bombard), as well as the headquarters of the British Army’s Scottish Division and a permanent exhibition which depicts the history of Scotland. The castle has had a rich and colourful history, withstanding numerous attacks from Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads in 1650, and William and Mary’s army in 1689. It was also the birthplace of James VI of Scotland (who became James I of England in 1603), who was born to Mary Queen of Scots in a tiny room in the Royal Residence in 1566. Every day, except Sunday and Bank Holidays, the one o’clock gun is fired from the castle, and for three weeks in August, the annual Military Tattoo takes place in the Castle Esplanade.