With headphones to guide us along, we learned about the history of the castle---from royal residency to military fortress and the many sieges.

Constant repairs, improvements and new buildings were made in the castle grounds for over 900 years.

We got to see where Queen Mary gave birth to King James VI. We got to see the The Honours of Scotland (the crown, the sword and the sceptre from about 1500 AD). We even got to see the tiny uniforms Sir William Wallace and other soldiers wore back then---they sure were small people!

To this day, Edinburgh Castle serves as headquarters for the Scottish Division, and regimental headquarters for The Royal Scots and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and the army School of Piping---as well as a memorial.

Plan to spend a lot of time there! There are several buildings within the castle walls (many which have been turned into museums, or a restaurant, or a bookstore) ---and some 900 years of history.

If you happen to be there in Aug., I understand the Edinburgh Military Tattoo performed within the castle grounds is spectacular.

It's hard to believe you can stand in a building that's older than the country of the United States of America!

The Castle includes the National War Museum and the Scottish National War Memorial that was built after WWI. You can view the Stone of Destiny, the rock that the Scottish Kings were crowned over and recently returned after 700 years in England, and the Honors of Scotland, otherwise known as the Scottish Crown Jewels, which is the oldest surviving crown jewels in Europe and the room where James VI of Scotland was born to Mary Queen of Scots. Listen for the firing of the One O'Clock Gun, but not too hard or your ears will ring! You can set your watch by it. Speaking of cannons, don't miss the huge 15th century gun Mons Meg.

The oldest part of the castle was built in the early 1100's, and is a small chapel commissioned by Queen Margaret. It was partly destroyed when Robert the Bruce had the castle burned instead of letting it go to the English. He felt bad about the chapel and had it restored. I can't tell you how it feels to walk in a building that old, and full of Scottish history, which we are both in love with.

We found a small sandwich shop off of high street, and purchased fresh sandwiches, drinks, and dessert for only 5 pounds! We needed that, because we have been over the budget constantly so far. We sat on the sidewalk and ate lunch, then walked high street some more. The shops there are definitely for tourists, full of kilts, wool, and Celtic jewelry. The street is small, and the buildings old and very tall. It's a romantic stretch of road, if you can look past the throngs of people walking and driving about.

WHAT TO DO with the rest of the day? If you have several hours, take a lovely stroll in the morning along the Waters of Leith to the Botanical Gardens. Then head to the castle and join the crowd. After that, Gladstone's Land is just a stone's throw away.