Edinburgh Castle

The weekend before leaving Scotland, I took the train from Stirling Station into Edinburgh to continue my touristy journey. This time around, it's the Edinburgh Castle where it actually very similar than that of the Stirling Castle where this is also a Royal Palace, Chapel, etc.

Entrance of the Edinburgh Castle

Unlike the Stirling Castle, many places at this Castle don't allow photography. The Scottish National War Memorial is located inside the castle and inside is decorate with a gold metal casket along with war medals, honors, as well as coat of arms throughout the memorial.

Initially built for the the Scottish who died in the wars between 1914 and 1918 but eventually became a national memorial for all those who fell in subsequent wars as well.

The Royal Palace was another place where photos weren't allowed. The inside is not as big as that of the Stirling Castle but what was awesome about this place is that it actually houses the real Crown, Scepter, and Sword of state used to crown Queen Mary of Scots in 1543, in its true original form!

Outside of the Royal Palace

Room in the Royal Palace where guests are invited to meet the King and Queen

It actually was pretty amazing to see the actual decorated crown, scepter, and sword used for coronation kept in such good form from so many years ago. There's been so much history from the wars between England and Scotland as well as the rise and fall of royal ruling that these royal jewels were smuggled and hidden from enemies on many occasions. If there was ever to be another coronation in the United Kingdom, these would be the Crown, Scepter, and Sword of State used for coronation.

Edinburgh Castle is also where Mary Queen of Scot gave birth to King James VI who later became King of Scots and has his coronation at the Stirling Castle.

Inside the castle...they actually built a dog cemetery!

Another view from the outside perimeter of the Castle

Last entrance/gate into the Castle

If you haven't noticed...all the castle are built on a hill. As a matter of fact, all of Scotland seems hilly.

This is a chapel and also the oldest structure in its original form in all of Scotland.

Military Prison

Prisoners of war were captured and kept in the military prison. Prisoners included Americans, French, English. It's located underground and was at one point overcrowded with prisoners.

One O'clock Gun - fired at 1pm everyday so that sailors and others can adjust their watches to the "real" time. Used in the days before we had watches and when we did have watches, they didn't keep time accurately.

View of Edinburgh from up above!

Fun Fact! None of these canons were ever used or fired in the history of the Edinburgh Castle and the wars that took place. They were only put in at the request of the Queen as she had paid a visit and felt that a castle doesn't seem right without canons. :-)