Facilities

Visitor Services

Our Visitor Services staff are available to assist with your queries during our regular opening hours. From questions on our facilities to how to make the most of your trip to Scotland, our welcoming staff are always willing to help. All our staff are in uniform and easy to spot.

Ticket Office

Admission tickets can be purchased here on the day. The ticket office is located immediately to the right once you have walked over the drawbridge.

Ticket Machine Pick Up

For customers who have purchased online and selected the Ticket Machine Pick Up option, tickets can be collected from our two ticket machines. Walk over the drawbridge and they are located on your left.

Visitor Information Area

Our Visitor Information area is located past the ticket office on the right hand side. It will be clearly signposted. You will be able to find those essential purchases such as camera film, bottled water and an exclusive range of Edinburgh Castle gifts.

Our staff can help with any issues you may have concerning your visit including ticketing and general information.

Group Ticket Collection
If you have pre booked a group or educational visit to the castle you can collect your tickets from Visitor Information.

Gift Shops

Located within Edinburgh Castle are three Historic Scotland Shops, all with very different characters and each offering the visitor an exciting shopping experience.

Portcullis Gift Shop

Visit the newly refurbished gift shop – located next to the ticket office, this is the largest gift shop in the castle and offers an extensive range of quality gifts and souvenirs.


The new shop is much brighter with a contemporary feel yet still has character with exposed stonework and  features on show to the visitor. The space has been opened up to make it a much more inviting shop environment for the visitor.

Here the visitor can purchase exclusive Edinburgh Castle Merchandise, Scottish Crafts sourced from a number of local suppliers, Gifts for Him & Her, contemporary and traditional jewellery from Scottish suppliers. We also have a wide range of Clan gifts, including scarves, ties and Family/Clan Scrolls and a great range of gifts for kids.

You do not need an admission ticket to visit the Portcullis Gift Shop

Crown Gift Shop

Treat yourself to an extra special memento of your visit when you shop in the Crown Gift, located in Crown Square.


This shop has a wonderful range of gifts, including exclusively designed china, jewellery from leading Scottish designers and a range of merchandise inspired by the Honours of Scotland. Browse our extensive range of gifts from the tapestry collection and treat the children to something special from the Prince & Princesses range.

Whisky & Finest Food Shop

Located in the old Fire Station, adjacent to St Margaret’s Chapel, this shop has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. It is now a dedicated shop offering the best of Scottish food and drink.

We have a vast array of Whiskies from all regions, catering for all pallets. You can purchase our exclusive Edinburgh Castle Malt Whisky and browse our rare malt cabinet. For those visitors who are not partial to whisky we also offer a range of liqueurs, award winning Berry Good Vodka and Gin from Caithness to tempt you. Why not join us for a dram or two on our “tasting” days.

To complement our Scottish drinks we have a range of delicious Scottish sweet and savoury gifts, including Artisan chocolatiers, traditional fare such as shortbread, tablet, oatcakes and cakes.

Each purchase made in our Retail outlets helps support Historic Scotland’s conservation role. Your support is greatly appreciated and will help conserve our properties in the future.

Families with children

The cafés at the Castle are equipped with seating facilities for babies and provide family-friendly meals. For those with babies, changing facilities are available in the toilets near the entrance of the castle and in the café toilets.

Tours

Complimentary guided tours provided by our stewards are included in the admission price. Subject to weather and availability of staff.

Audio guides* can be hired at extra cost either online or from the Audio Guide Pick Up point. The audio booth is located just after the portcullis gate inside the castle. Available in eight languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Mandarin). View Audio tour prices

* The 20% discount for Members of Historic Scotland and Explorer Pass holders only applies to audio tours hired onsite.

Non-english speaking visitors

Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Mandarin. Souvenir guide books are also available in these languages from the Edinburgh Castle shops and online.

Free Honours of Scotland leaflets are available in the Crown Jewels room in German, Spanish, Italian Dutch and Japanese.

Access for all

There are limited parking spaces for disabled visitors at the castle.

A courtesy vehicle can take visitors with disabilities from the esplanade to Crown Square. View Access for all

Braille

Braille guides are available on request from the ticket office. The Crown Jewels exhibition includes Braille interpretation on the jewels.

Audio tours

Souvenir guides

A fully illustrated 64 page guide - discover the fascinating story behind this majestic landmark.


Available in a number of languages.
Buy online