Ensure you have the group register and emergency contact numbers for all leaders and students
Make sure students have plenty of water. Encourage them to refill bottles with tap water where possible. In their own country they might think tap water is toxic! Educate them.
Make sure you have the tickets you need to enter with your group
Wear the official group T-shirt or hoodie for easy identification
Charge your phone fully and bring a power bank
Review the risk assessment for the day’s route and activities
Remind students to bring a raincoat or umbrella in case of light rain
Take group photos at key locations and share them with the programme WhatsApp group
Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous landmarks in Scotland. It sits on top of Castle Rock, a high volcanic hill in the middle of Edinburgh. From the castle, you can see the city below, the Royal Mile, and even the Firth of Forth in the distance. The castle has been an important part of Scotland’s history for hundreds of years. It has been a royal palace, a military fortress, and even a prison.
People have lived on Castle Rock for more than a thousand years. Many Scottish kings and queens, including Mary, Queen of Scots, once lived in the castle. It was also the home of important battles and military events. The castle has strong walls and towers that were built to protect Scotland from enemies. Walking through the castle is like stepping back in time.
Built on a volcano: The castle sits on an extinct volcano called Castle Rock, which makes it very strong and hard to attack.
Oldest building in Edinburgh: St Margaret’s Chapel, inside the castle, was built around 1130. It is the oldest surviving building in the city.
One of the most attacked places in the UK: Because of its important position, Edinburgh Castle was attacked and captured many times in its history.
The One O’Clock Gun: Every day except Sunday, a cannon is fired at 1pm. This tradition began in 1861 to help ships in the harbour set their clocks.
Birthplace of a king: King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) was born here in 1566 in the Royal Palace.
Home of the Crown Jewels: The Honours of Scotland, some of the oldest Crown Jewels in Europe, are kept inside the castle.
A military fortress and a prison: At different times, the castle has been a royal home, a strong military base, and a prison for soldiers from many countries.
Beautiful views: From the top of Castle Rock, you can see the Old Town, New Town, the Firth of Forth, and even the distant hills.
14:00 – Depart Edinburgh Academy
14:20 – Stop 1: Princes Street Gardens
14:35 – Walk the Mound to the Royal Mile
14:50 – Stop 2: Castle Entrance & Esplanade
15:05 – Stop 3: Crown Jewels
15:25 – Stop 4: St. Margaret’s Chapel
15:35 – Stop 5: Great Hall & Prison of War Exhibits
16:00 – Stop 5: Free time to explore
16:30 –Group photo and end of trip
Please note that Edinburgh Castle does not allow guided experiences inside the rooms. It's best to give the information outside the rooms before letting the students inside to explore.
Gather the group here while you collect and distribute tickets, make sure students and group leaders understand that once they exit the Castle, they cannot reenter.
Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous places in Scotland. It sits high on a volcanic rock in the centre of the city, so you can see it from many streets. The castle is very old. People have lived on this rock for almost 3,000 years, and the buildings you see today are from different times in history.
Inside the castle, you can learn about Scottish kings and queens, important battles, and how the castle protected the city. One of the most popular things to see is the Crown Jewels of Scotland, which include the crown, sword, and sceptre. You can also visit St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh.
Every day (except Sunday), a cannon called the One O’Clock Gun is fired at 1pm. This tradition is more than 150 years old. From the castle walls, you have beautiful views of the city, the sea, and the hills.
The Crown Jewels of Scotland, also called The Honours of Scotland, are some of the most important treasures in Edinburgh Castle. They include a crown, a sword, and a sceptre. These beautiful objects were used in the coronation of Scottish kings and queens many hundreds of years ago.
The Crown Jewels are very old — older than the English Crown Jewels — and they are made of gold, silver, and precious stones. They were once hidden for many years to keep them safe during wars. Today, you can see them in a special room inside the Castle.
The Crown Jewels show the power and history of Scotland’s royal past, and they are one of the most popular things to see when visiting Edinburgh Castle.
The Great Hall is one of the most impressive rooms inside Edinburgh Castle. It was built in the early 1500s for King James IV. In the past, it was used for big celebrations, important meetings, and royal events.
When you walk inside, you will see a high wooden ceiling and many old weapons on the walls, such as swords, shields, and spears. These show how people defended the castle long ago. The Great Hall helps us imagine what life was like in a royal court hundreds of years ago.
The Prison of War exhibits are in the underground vaults of the castle. These rooms were used to hold prisoners from different countries during the 1700s and 1800s. Many of the prisoners were sailors captured during sea battles.
Inside, you can see how the prisoners lived: their hammocks, food supplies, and some of the things they made, like carvings and games. The exhibits tell stories about daily life in the prison and show that conditions were crowded and difficult.