Humans have occupied the high ground at Castle Rock, which is located in modern day central Edinburgh, since at least the Iron Age (2nd century AD). Since the 12th century, if has been the site of Edinburgh Castle, which has mainly been utilized as a military fortress, and at times the royal residence for Kings and Queens of Scotland. Edinburgh Castle has been the site of at least 26 sieges in its 1100-year-old history, giving it the dubious claim as “the most besieged place in Great Britain, and one of the most attacked places in the world”.
Today Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most, and the UK’s second most-visited paid tourist attraction, with over 2.1 million visitors in 2018 … here are a few photos of our paid visit to the castle: