Our last full day in Edinburgh was spent visiting Edinburgh Castle. It is much more of a military fortress (and now war memorial) than any other castle I’ve visited. Most exhibits within the walls feature Scotlands military history, and the church at the heart of the grounds houses the largest memorial I have seen to date.
Bagpipes – Scotland 2016
War art – Scotland 2016
Scottish uniforms – Scotland 2016
Canons – Scotland 2016
Memorials – Scotland 2016
Although I do love a great war doc, there is really only so much military displays I can read through; so for me, the best part of the castle was the castle itself. It’s absolutely fascinating how it’s all built on an old volcano.
Volcanic formations – Scotland 2016
If you go, you must wait for the One O’Clock gun, it can’t be missed!
Firing the one o’clock gun – Scotland 2016
Blanks fired! – Scotland 2016
The one souvenir I splurge on wherever I travel is guide books that can be purchased at these sights, so I can read up on the history when I get home (or even on the plane). The guide books are relatively cheap, especially if you pre-purchase them online with your ticket. Besides, booklets are flat and stow easily in your luggage!
Directions – Scotland 2016
In the courtyard – Scotland 2016
Within the castle walls – Scotland 2016
The dungeon – Scotland 2016
Dungeon bunks – Scotland 2016
Royal chambers – Scotland 2016
Royal rooms – Scotland 2016
Outside the old church turned war memorial – Scotland 2016
There’s really so much to explore at Edinburgh Castle, but we managed to get it all done in the morning, leaving only after the gun sounded, for a total of four hours.
The view from the canons – Scotland 2016
At the top of the hill – Scotland 2016
Edinburgh Castle – Scotland 2016
