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.

St Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest building in Edinburgh Castle — and in the whole city. It was built in the early 1100s by King David I, in memory of his mother, Queen Margaret, who later became a saint. The chapel is small, quiet, and made of thick stone walls.

Inside, you will see a simple room with beautiful stained-glass windows showing St Margaret and other saints. The chapel was used by the royal family for private prayers. Even though the castle has changed many times, the chapel has stayed almost the same for hundreds of years.

Today, St Margaret’s Chapel is still used for weddings and special events. It is a peaceful place that helps us imagine what life was like in medieval times.

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.