Scotland: Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is part of the Royal Mile (see other post). You need to order tickets in advance, but there is another option if you’re like us and missed that part of the trip planning. It seems that the tour groups will buy up a selection of tickets, and then charge for the tour they provide (tickets being part of the package). This is a way to get into the castle without planning very far ahead. The groups have a designated meeting point somewhere in the Royal Mile, and they tell you to look for (in our case, a certain style of umbrella).

Now, I think you’re supposed to stay with the group, even after they give you the tickets to enter the castle. I will also say that our guide seemed knowledgeable and was entertaining. Especially amusing was the story about how Queen Victoria was disappointed that the castle wasn’t castle-looking enough, and she had certain features added to better fit her expectations. This includes the gatehouse that one must now use to enter the castle. Apparently, Victoria of the Victorian Era wanted something more Medieval.

Even though I found these tidbits interesting, I knew Kevin would repeat it all to me later either way. While Kevin dutifully stayed with the group, I kept leaving to look at different parts of the castle that caught my interest. I was also staying out of the wind as much as possible (if you visit here, prepare for wind as much as rain! Cold wind. Very cold.).

It’s a good thing Kevin stayed because he found out about a particular display that I would have missed: the Honours of Scotland (Regalia, Crown Jewels). The Keiths hid the Scottish Regalia at Dunnottar. When the castle was attacked, the regalia were smuggled out and successfully hidden for years more. These are now housed behind glass in a dark room in Edinburgh Castle, and no photography is permitted (alas, I don’t have anything to share here for my favorite part of the castle). I just stared and stared, trying to burn the image into my brain.

Then I promptly purchased the full-color book of photos they sold at the gift shop.