If you are one of the many fans of series like Game of Thrones or if you are a follower of the hobbit universe from minute zero, you must have fantasized more than once about visiting cities with medieval tradition. Breathe and feel the spirit of a captivating era with its unique characters.
Getting to know capitals from their heights and corners is an invitation to encounter the details of the present that distinguish them and to trace the traces of their past. Observing the domes of each place allows not only to be dazzled but also to approach the history of a country differently.
In that sense, if it is about the Middle Ages, Edinburgh is the city by excellence that you must visit. The capital of Scotland not only has one of the most culturally rich tours in the United Kingdom, but it also includes Food tour Edinburgh as other cities do with their typical flavors. With a large number of castles and fortifications, you need only a few references to organize your visit, which, for sure, will leave you yearning to return.
Edinburgh to discover
For many centuries, Edinburgh has been a city that attracts not only for its humanistic content but also for its contrasts. Between the alleys and cobblestones of the Old Town and the buildings of the New Town with its more modern designs, you will notice that the urban harmony does not lose its seal at the sight of any tourist.
With a population of over half a million inhabitants, Edinburgh is the seventh most populated city in the United Kingdom. It was the first to be declared City of Literature by UNESCO because of the large number of bookstores, libraries and references present in the works of classic writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes or the adventures of Harry Potter written by Joanne Rowling.
Of course, from the get-go, so much reading and the contemplation of shapes in height is sure to make you hungry. If there is something that makes the main cities of Western Europe stand out, it is their gastronomic offer and Edinburgh is no exception. That is why there are different urban tours as the food tour from Edinburgh that complement the experience with haggis with whisky cream sauce along with the most select cheeses and desserts of the region to include in any road map.
Edinburgh’s Castle
Of course, when it comes to continuing your itinerary, Edinburgh Castle is a must-see to immerse yourself in the world of the Middle Ages. With a cannon that is fired at precisely one o’clock in the afternoon and butlers who accompany the guided tours, a series of rituals work to transport you to another time and another unique dimension.
Just by climbing the hill, you can discover each of the aspects that make this castle the most visited in the region. Built on volcanic rock, inside you can access not only fascinating views, but also immersive experiences in the Argyle Tower to learn more about the history of soldiers and privateers. As well as the seventy steps of a grand staircase you’ll be able to see replicas of the embroidery of Queen Mary of Scots from access to the antechamber of the Royal apartments.
In this setting, a guided tour will introduce you to a thousand and one fascinating events that took place in this fortress. From sieges to births, if you walk it on your own, consider three hours of your time to also visit the National War Museum and Saint Margaret’s Chapel. Not to mention the exhibition of the Crown Jewels, including the Stone of Destiny used to nominate Scottish monarchs.
How many castles are there in Edinburgh?
If there is something that distinguishes Europe from other continents, it’s its millenary history. This is accounted for by the various castles scattered throughout its territory. However, Edinburgh is rich in itself due to the number and diversity of castles. Among them the most outstanding are:
- Stirling Castle: With cliffs around it and only an hour from Edinburgh, this fortress is surprising to see just from a nearby environment. Imposing, you can combine the visit by going to see the largest medieval banqueting hall in Scotland.
- Craigmillar Castle: Easily accessible by bus, it attracts by the large number of rooms and rooms it has, as well as by the magnificence of its towers. To get there you just have to cross a forest and be impressed by the conservation of its foundations.
- Lauriston Castle: Huge gardens with squirrels and sea view and wooded areas around it make this castle one of the warmest.
- Midhope Castle: For those who did not miss an episode of the Outlander series, this castle is a mandatory. Used as a film set, although its interior is in ruins, you can take pictures with the building in the background in perspective with a gray or clear sky.
- Eilean Donan Castle: Very close to Edinburgh, this castle was chosen by several directors to shoot scenes of their films and captivates both on the outside and if you enter to visit each of its rooms.
- Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness: It is necessary to leave Edinburgh to visit the mythical Loch Ness and find this 13th century castle. Even though you’ll mostly see ruins, it is the third most visited: the lake and the sound of bagpipes is a typical postcard of Scotland.
Why is it worth it to get in the castles?
With its parts built in different historical moments, from the twelfth century to the First World War, Edinburgh Castle should be among the places to visit. Of course, it’s not the only way to get closer to the stories you most enjoy, but nothing compares to transporting yourself to each and every one of the environments of these castles.
While it may turn out expensive, you should make the effort and not miss a visit to any of these castles. Whether you are interested in disputes between kingdoms and battles of conquest, knowing every little detail or anecdote of the Middle Ages will enrich your knowledge.
You will be able to feel much closer to the series and movies of which you are a follower to fantasize with your own doses of heroism. And that really is worth it, it will keep you alive wherever you go in whatever time it is.
