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Edinburgh Landmarks and Edinburgh Monuments (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK)



Edinburgh is an important, historic city and Edinburgh is crammed full of spectacular landmarks and monuments. Famous throughout the country, many of these Edinburgh landmarks and monuments date back hundreds of years and are in remarkable condition.

Here are some of the top landmarks, structures, monuments, castles and buildings to visit when staying in the historic city of Edinburgh.




Edinburgh Landmarks: Edinburgh Castle - Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 668 8800
Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous and important landmarks in Edinburgh and is situated in the Old Town area of Edinburgh. This historic Edinburgh landmark is well preserved and Edinburgh Castle has been in constant use for more than 1,000 years. Edinburgh Castle was a Royal residence for many years and the castle's main feature is the curve of the massive artillery emplacement, the Half Moon Battery, which was built to protect Edinburgh Castle's vulnerable eastern side. This famous Edinburgh landmark has many attractions for tourists and visitors to the Edinburgh area, including the Palace - now one of Edinburgh Castle's popular museums, the Gatehouse - with bronze statues of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace, the Mills Mount Battery - where the famous Edinburgh Castle cannon is fired daily at 13:00, except on Sunday, the small Witches' Memorial monument - where over 300 women were burned as witches between 1479 and 1722, and some spectacular views across many different areas of Edinburgh, including Old Town, New Town, the Firth of Forth, Fife, Ramsay Gardens, Princes Street and the Pentland Hills.
Landmark open: daily, April to September - 09:30 to 18:00, October to March - 09:30 to 17:00
Landmark admission: charge, discounts available for senior citizens and children

Edinburgh Landmarks: Calton Hill - Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 200 2000
Calton Hill, in central Edinburgh, is one of the most historic areas in Edinburgh and is home to a number of important Edinburgh landmarks and monuments, including the Nelson Monument and Edinburgh's National Monument. Edinburgh's Calton Hill also provides some excellent panoramic views across Edinburgh, Fife and the Firth of Forth. Calton Hill hosts the popular Edinburgh Beltane Festival in the summer, when many people descend on this area of Edinburgh. Other landmarks on Edinburgh's Calton Hill include a reproduction of the Parthenon, which although was never completed due to lack of funding, is still impressive.

Edinburgh Landmarks: Royal Mile - central Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the oldest part of Edinburgh and marks the road running directly from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile is home to a number of important Edinburgh landmarks and monuments, which stand as a reminder of Edinburgh's historic past and important capital city status. The vast majority of shops in Edinburgh's Royal Mile are aimed at the Edinburgh tourist market and include woolen mills, craft shops and tartan clothing outlets.

Edinburgh Landmarks: Edinburgh Craigmillar Castle - on the A68 road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 244 3101
The substantial and atmospheric ruin of the Edinburgh Craigmillar Castle is now managed by Historic Scotland and is one of Edinburgh's major landmarks in the Calton area of Edinburgh. This L-shaped tower house, surrounded by a later castle wall, dates back to the 12th century and over the years, much of Edinburgh's Craigmillar Castle has been rebuilt, remodelled and restored. Edinburgh Craigmillar Castle was once a favourite spot for Mary, Queen of Scots, who fled to the castle after the murder of David Rizzio in 1566. Attractions at Edinburgh Craigmillar Castle include a number of stately apartments and historic artefacts. Due to the large number of French people in Mary's court who took up residence in this area of Edinburgh, the nearby district is often referred to as Edinburgh's 'Little France'.
Landmark open: April to September, daily - 09:30 to 18:30, October to March, Monday to Thursday, Saturday - 09:30 to 16:30, Sunday - 14:00 to 16:30
Landmark admission: charge, discounts available for senior citizens and children

Edinburgh Landmarks: Royal Yacht Britannia - 100 Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 555 5566
The stunning Royal Yacht Britannia soon became one of Edinburgh's most important and impressive landmarks when it was decommissed in 1997, after 44 years of royal service. Attractions on board Edinburgh's Royal Yacht Britannia include the Royal Apartments, the tiny cabin allocated to the admirals who captained this vast yacht, audio guided tours, interactive displays in the Visitor's Centre, a café and a large Royal Yacht Britannia gift shop. The famous tradition of cleaning and polishing every item daily on Edinburgh's Royal Yacht Britannia still continues and setting foot on the Royal Yacht Britannia is rather like stepping back in time. The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored in the Leith area of Edinburgh and the yacht closes an hour and a half after the last admission times.
Landmark open: daily, April to September - 10:00 to 16:30, October to March - 10:00 to 15:30 (tickets should be booked in advance)
Landmark admission: charge, discounts available for senior citizens and children

Edinburgh Landmarks: Scott Monument - Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EJ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 529 4068
Located in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, the Scott Monument was created in 1846 as a monument and memorial to the famous Sir Walter Scott, who had strong Edinburgh connections. This grand landmark is one of Edinburgh's most over-elaborate and ornate monuments and the actual statue of Sir Walter Scott is carved from marble. There are almost 300 steps to the highest gallery at Edinburgh's Scott Monument and the views from this 61 metre / 200 foot Edinburgh landmark are superb.
Landmark open: March to May, daily - 10:00 to 18:00, June to September, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 20:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00, October, Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00, Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00, November to February, daily - 09:00 to 16:00
Landmark admission: charge

Edinburgh Landmarks: Nelson Monument - Calton Hill, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 556 2716
Located in the Calton area of Edinburgh, the Nelson Monument stands proudly on Calton Hill and is a memorial to Admiral Nelson's famous victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Edinburgh's Nelson Monument was built in 1816 and was designed in the shape of Nelson's telescope by Robert Burn in 1807. With 143 steps, the views of Edinburgh from the top of Edinburgh's Nelson Monument makes the steep climb worth the effort and it is advisable to purchase a brochure on entry, so that you can work out what parts of Edinburgh you are acrually looking at.
Landmark open: April to September, Monday - 13:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00, October to March, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 15:00
Landmark admission: charge

Edinburgh Landmarks: West Register House - Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DJ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 553 1314
West Register House is an attractive townhouse in the New Town area of Edinburgh. Recently restored, Edinburgh's West Register House features the popular West Search Room of the National Archive of Scotland, containing maps, plans, records of government departments and microfilm records. This is also a small and interesting exhibition at Edinburgh's West Register House, detailing how the geography of the Edinburgh area has been shaped by man over the past few centuries.
Landmark open: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00
Landmark admission: free

Edinburgh Landmarks: Palace of Holyroodhouse - Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 556 1096
Originally built by James IV, with numerous refurbishments made by subsequent monarchs, Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse is an important landmark in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh. The Palace of Holyroodhouse was regularly used by Queen Victoria when travelling to or from Balmoral and is still regularly used by the present Royal family. Attractions at Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse include antique furniture, tapestries, paintings, historic artefacts from several centuries and the lavish private apartment of Mary, Queen of Scots. Of particular interest at Edinburgh's Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Great Gallery, which at 45 metres / 150 feet long, is full of more than 100 portraits of monarchs by Dutch Artist Jacob de Wit, commissioned by Charles II, who wished to be surrounded by representations of 2,000 year's worth of his ancestors.
Landmark open: daily, April to October - 09:30 to 18:00, November to March - 09:30 to 16:30
Landmark admission: charge, discounts available for senior citizens, children and groups

Edinburgh Landmarks: Gladstone's Land - 477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2NT, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 5856
Former residence of prominent Edinburgh businessman Thomas Gladstone, this National Trust for Scotland property remains in its original 17th-century style. This six-storey Edinburgh house is an essential stop when touring the Old Town area of Edinburgh and helpful guides are available to answer questions.
Landmark open: April to November, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Landmark admission: charge, discounts available for senior citizens, children, families and groups

Edinburgh Landmarks: General Register House - Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3YT, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 535 1314
Designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century, a famous Edinburgh architect, Edinburgh's General Register House took more than 30 years to complete. Home to the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh's General Register House is the oldest purpose-built repository in Europe and holds public records of government, churches, the law and many Edinburgh and Scottish businesses. With more than 60 km / 35 miles of shelving, searching the archives for historical research purposed at Edinburgh's General Register House is free of charge.
Landmark open: daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Landmark admission: free

Edinburgh Landmarks: Tartan Weaving Mill - Old Town Weaving Company, 555 Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 1555
Situated in the Old Town area of Edinburgh, the Tartan Weaving Mill in one of Edinburgh's most interesting landmarks and features an exhibition which explains the history of Scotland's famous textile. Edinburgh's Tartan Weaving Mill is still working and there is also a tartan shop, with numerous kilts for sale.
Landmark open: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:30, Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Landmark admission: charge, discounts available for senior citizens, children and families

Edinburgh Landmarks: Georgian House - 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 3318
The National Trust for Scotland has recently refurbished this important Edinburgh landmark, which was designed by Edinburgh's famous architect, Robert Adam. Attractions at Edinburgh's Georgian House include tremendous attention to period detail, antique furniture, historic newspapers, general furnishings, a historic kitchen and there is also an audio-visual room with regular programmes. Edinburgh's Georgian House can be found in the New Town area of Edinburgh and is east to reach from Edinburgh city centre.
Landmark open: April to October, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 14:00 to 17:00
Landmark admission: charge, discounts available for senior citizens, students, children and families

Edinburgh Landmarks: Lamb's House - Lambs House, Burgess Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6RD, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 554 3131
Lamb's House, in the Leith area of Edinburgh, was built in the 16th century and is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Attractions at Edinburgh's Lamb's House include a wide range of activities, such as dancing classes, bowling, bingo and much more besides.
Landmark open: hours vary

Edinburgh Landmarks: Edinburgh Parliament House - Parliament Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 225 2595
The Edinburgh Parliament House, one of Edinburgh's most important landmarks, was built in the early 17th century. Edinburgh's Parliament House was previously the seat of the Scottish Government until 1707, when the Act of Union combined the Scottish and English governments. Attractions at the Edinburgh Parliament House include a grand hall, which is still used by lawyers in Edinburgh today from the adjoining District Court, numerous paintings and the extensive Signet Library, which is located upstairs. The Edinburgh Parliament House can be found in the Old Town area of Edinburgh.
Landmark open: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00

Edinburgh Landmarks: Usher Hall - Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2EA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 228 1155
Usher Hall, the Edinburgh home of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, recently underwent a vast GBP 9 million refurbishment and features an impressive theatre with a 2,700-seat auditorium. Edinburgh's Usher Hall is a major Edinburgh landmark and Festival venue, regularly attracting famous performers, and regularly hosts popular, prestigious concerts and classical music performances. Usher Hall is located in the heart of Edinburgh city centre.
Landmark open: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 20:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 17:30 (box office)
Landmark admission: charge

Edinburgh Landmarks: Inverleith House - Royal Botanic Garden, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 552 7171
Edinburgh Inverleith House, in the New Town area of Edinburgh, in situated in the centre of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden. With many regular exhibitions about science, art and numerous paintings by well-known artists, Edinburgh's Inverleith House is an impressive building in its own right.
Landmark open: Wednesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Landmark admission: free

 
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