Hi All,
I'm going on the Scotland tour on June 27, but I'll be arriving a few days early in Edinburgh. I'm trying to set up my pre-tour itinerary and I have a question. How much time will the tour spend visiting Edinburgh Castle? Should I go there myself ahead of time, or is the amount of time spent there while on tour adequate? Thanks for any input you have!
:)
I read the tour description and it sounds like you will have enough time, but I would check with the 'tour divas.' They should have an estimate. I was there a few years ago and remember it mainly as a big, military castle with great views. What I really loved was The Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, is where Mary Queen of Scots lived and stands at the other end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile from Edinburgh cstle.
Gretchen, here are two other suggestions. First, check out the reviews from earlier tours. Second, just call ETBD and ask. ; ) I did it when I took the Berlin, Prague and Vienna tour. I was getting to Berlin early on and had similar questions.
The castle can be absorb a lot of time if you love history. There is a short guided tour, but then you can do an audio tour that can last hours. The views are wonderful, but you also can see the Honors of Scotland, the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth, St. Margaret's Chapel is lovely, but it's hard to find it when its not packed. There some dungeony'prison type areas to explore. There's a great hall where there was a lovely musical program going on the last time I visited. It's also a memorial for the Scottish soldiers who died in war. I find the memorial very moving.
I visit the castle every time I go to Edinburgh.
Pam
I'm with Pamela - I love St. Margaret's chapel - the oldest building in Edinburgh - and the War Memorial. Make sure you do go in time for the 1:00 gun - don't be late or you'll miss it. Don't miss the dog cemetery as well - I think its one of the quirks of the castle.
I could honestly spend a whole day there, but I keep going back again and again.
