- Edinburgh Castle: The Castle's earliest construction dates to around A.D. 1000, placed at the highest point of a rocky, narrow ridge - a natural fortress. The Castle has been the locus of many historic royal events and vicious battles. Extraordinarily, it remains an active military barracks, as well as a crowded tourist attraction featuring the crown jewels and the famous Stone of Scone on which ancient Scottish royalty is believed to have been coronated.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse: At the opposite end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile from the Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is the historic as well as the current Royal residence (when the British monarch is occasionally in town). "Rood" means "cross," and the abbey ruins that are adjacent to the Palace date to 1128. The building's present form largely dates from the late 1600s, when it was rebuilt in a dignified neo-Palladian style. But the best bits are in the oldest wing, where Mary, Queen of Scots once stayed.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
