The castle's Great Hall is where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England). It was returned to Scotland in 1996 but - if Scotland is still part of the UK when the next King is crowned, it will be brought to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony. It has been part of the coronation chair of British monarchs ever since. But in 1296 it was stolen by King Edward I and placed in his throne. Since ancient times, this was the symbol of the Scottish monarchy, used in the coronation of Scottish kings. The story of how they were found, hidden in a chest, with clues discovered by author Sir Walter Scott makes seeing them a real even more interesting.Īnd, since 1996, the Stone of Destiny - also known as the Stone of Scone. It houses the Scottish Crown Jewels - known as the Honours of Scotland - a crown, sceptre and sword. The views over Edinburgh are just spectacular but the castle's treasures are worth exploring. You can also have a very posh tea in the Royal Deck Tea Room.Īnd except for July and August, you can also see the Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound - where Prince Charles and Princess Anne learned to sail as children.Įdinburgh Castle, at the top of the city's "Royal Mile", looms over cityscape atop an outcrop of volcanic rock (most of Edinburgh's hills are the plugs of extinct volcanoes). Britannia was crewed by volunteers from the Royal Navy and, when the Queen was aboard, a contingent of Royal Marines. The visit includes a look at the crew quarters as well as life below decks in the sick bay and laundry. The traditionally furnished sitting room looks just like a slightly larger version of a living room in a middle class American home. One of the interesting things about Britannia is that the Queen herself took charge of the interior decoration of the family quarters. Visitors can tour the yacht's five main decks and see the state apartments including the Queen's bedroom shielded behind glass, it is the only bedroom of a living monarch that can be viewed by the public. Today the Royal Yacht Britannia is one of Scotland's top visitor attractions, with hundreds of thousands going aboard every year. The ship was used on trade missions and was permanently moored at Leith in 1997. It all finishes in one of the biggest fireworks concerts in the world with 100,000 fireworks set off around Edinburgh Castle to the strains of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.īetween 19, when the Queen and senior members of the royal family made state visits around the world, they traveled on the Royal Yacht Britannia, a magnificent ocean-going vessel that's more like a small cruise ship than a yacht. Alongside it, there's the Edinburgh International Festival, a curated event featuring the world's top theater companies, orchestras and soloists - including, in 2019, rappers, performance poets and pop icons.Īnd while all that is going on (as well as book festivals and food festivals too) the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is thrilling crowds on the hill beneath the castle with colorful displays of marching bands, massed pipers and Hjaltibonhogo, the remarkable dancing Shetland fiddlers.
It takes over the city for at least three weeks in August - with drama, comedy, dance, music, cabaret, puppetry and kids shows - briefly doubling the city's population and making it the second largest in the UK.
The biggie is the Edinburgh Fringe, the world's largest performing arts festival. But during August the city goes all out with two fabulous multi-arts festivals, super duper fireworks and the world's most celebrated military spectacle. It doesn't matter when you go you are bound to find a party.
Edinburgh reels from one fabulous festival to another.