Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle sits on Castle Rock, a 340-million-year-old volcanic plug that rises 130 metres above the city centre. The castle has been a royal residence, a military garrison, and a prison at various points in its history, and it still functions as a working military base today. The Crown Room contains the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish crown jewels, the oldest surviving royal regalia in the British Isles, comprising the Crown, Sceptre, and Sword of State) and the Stone of Destiny, the ancient coronation seat of Scottish kings returned from Westminster in 1996. The One O'Clock Gun fires from the castle daily at exactly 1 PM (except Sundays and Good Friday): stand near the Half Moon Battery for the best view of the barrel and brace for the noise. The castle opens at 9:30 AM; arriving at opening gives you the Great Hall and the Crown Room before the tour groups arrive. The esplanade in front of the castle is where the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place every August (tickets from GBP 27, book a year ahead). The views from the castle walls cover the New Town, the Firth of Forth, Arthur's Seat, and on clear days the hills of Fife. Budget 2-3 hours for the full visit. Audio guides are included in the ticket price (GBP 19.50 adult). Queues at the ticket office can be long in summer: buy online in advance and use the priority lane.