Edinburgh Castle had many roles in the past from royal palace to prison to parliament to barracks. It’s still in use by the armed forces but its most famous as the home of Scotland’s crown jewels and the fabled Stone of Destiny (aka Stone of Scone), its ancient coronation throne.

Other highlights include the chapel, palace, prison vaults. Join an entertaining free guided tour (times vary) to be sure you don’t miss any of these.

Also in the castle is the Scottish National War Museum, a heavyweight attraction in its own right. It recounts the last 400 years of proud Scottish military tradition and when used its union with England to engage in empire-building. It's not all breast-beating heroics though, and the exhibition has its reflective moments too.