edinburgh castle

Carly and I both knew that we wanted to see the castle while we were in Edinburgh. Although we hadn't heard great things about it we felt that it was necessary to see. Plus we both have a weird obsession with castles. It was expensive to get on to the grounds but the view of the city was fabulous, and there was so much to see. We got to see St. Margaret's Chapel, the Scottish National War Museum (due to our extreme hangover and the heat inside the museum we went through it pretty quickly), and Mons Meg. 

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's oldest castle, towers over the city from its perch high on a wedge of volcanic rock. When entering, you first cross the Esplanade (where the Military Tattoo takes place). You then pass through the gate and up the steep, cobbled ramp for great views over the city and its various attractions. Once we were inside the thick walls of the castle it felt like a whole new world, a complete community - remote, powerful, and cut off from the rest of Edinburgh.

Esplanade

Inside the walls of the castle

The Argyle Battery terrace offers the first chance to catch your breath and enjoy the view north over the city as we made our way to the Castle Rock. No longer firing is the famous cannon at Edinburgh Castle, the monumental Mons Meg. This siege gun was built in the 15th century and was capable of firing a 400-pound cannon ball. The ferocity of its power allowed it to only be used a few times a day because of the enormous heat that the explosive force generated. It remains a popular sight to see in Edinburgh - so obviously I got a picture with it. 

Mons Meg

My other favourite part of the castle was St. Margarets Chapel. It is the oldest structure in the castle, as well as being the simplest and most moving. It's the 12th century chapel dedicated to St. Margaret by her son, King David I. Margaret was the wife of Malcolm III and died here in 1903. The chapel, with its single, whitewashed chamber and tiny arched doorway (that I thought was super funny), survived several attacks of the castle and is still used for occasional weddings. 

St. Margaret's Chapel

Overall the castle is definitely something that you have to see while in Edinburgh. It may have been because we are both overly amused by castles, but Carly and I both enjoyed our time there. If anything, the view of the castle walking up the Royal Mile is magnificent.