Key facts
- Oliver Cromwell invaded Scotland in 1650 and took over the castle. Determined to wipe out any trace of royalty, he had the Great Hall converted into a barracks.
- It was not restored until the 1880s, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Most of the present decoration dates from that period.
- However, the fine hammerbeam roof survives from James IV’s time. It is one of only two medieval roofs left in Scotland.
- The wonderfully carved stone corbels supporting the hammerbeams are the oldest Renaissance decoration in the British Isles, predating Benedetto de Maiano’s medallions on Hampton Court, London, by 10 years.
All Highlights
- Honours of Scotland
- Great Hall
- Guided Tour
- Mons Meg
- National War Museum Scotland
- One O'clock Gun
- Prisons of War Exhibition
- Royal Palace
- Royal Scots Regimental Museum
- Scottish National War Memorial
- The Regimental Museum of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
- Stone of Destiny
- St Margaret's Chapel
- Views of Edinburgh






