Opening times

You should allow at least 2 hours to see all of the castle highlights. 

Closing commences 1 hour before the actual closing time.

Please make an online booking to guarantee entry.

The Royal Scots and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guard Museums are run by volunteers and may have different opening times.

A one-way system will be operating within the castle. Staff here will control the flow of visitors, and can provide any additional assistance.

• All external spaces with visitor access
• The mobility vehicle is available to use (a face covering must be worn). Please ask a member of staff who can organise this for you
• Great Hall
• St Margaret’s Chapel
• Mons Meg
• One o’Clock Gun
• Palace Apartments – The Laich Hall and Antechamber (The Mary Room and The Birthing Room remain closed)
• Prisons of War exhibition (one vault remains closed)
• Honours of Scotland (Crown Jewels & Stone of Destiny)
• Prisons of War vaults (exhibition is closed)
• Scottish National War Memorial
• National War Museum 
• The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum
• Audio guides available to hire from the ticket office
• The Portcullis Shop and The Whisky and Finest Food Shop
  • Please note that the shops will be capacity managed and there will be a one way system in place throughout. You must wear a face covering when visiting the shops
• Takeaway offering outside the Redcoat Café (view menu). Open daily, 9.30am to 4pm
• Queen Anne Tea Room (open 10am to 3pm)
• Toilets available in the Lower Ward just over the drawbridge (baby changing facilities available), Hospital Square, David’s Tower (just off Crown Square) and the National War Museum
• Accessible toilet available in the Queen Anne Building

Some areas/facilities will remain closed for now, we have a phased approach to re-opening while we work to make them safe.

The castle is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25 and 26 December) and New Year's Day (1 January).

The gun is fired every day at 1pm, except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Redcoat Café (takeaway only)

Portcullis Shop

Crown Gift Shop

Whisky and Finest Food Shop

For operational reasons, shop opening times may differ to those advertised.