Edinburgh Castle

Castle entrance – While waiting in line, look up at the two statues. On the left is Robert the Bruce, on the right is William Wallace. In the center is the royal arms with the Scottish red lion, and Latin motto "Nemo me impune lacessit" which means "Attack me, and there will be consequences."

Scottish Crown Jewels (the Honours of Scotland) – The Scottish Crown Jewels – a sword, scepter and crown – are enduring symbols of the monarchy of Scotland. The crown jewels are on display, along with the Stone of Destiny (Stone of Scone), a large stone block originally used in coronation ceremonies for the Scottish monarchs. In the 13th century, the English captured the stone and took it to Westminster Abbey. The Stone remained in England for coronations; in 1996, the Stone of Destiny returned to Scotland.

Great Hall – Once a 16h century banqueting hall, later used as a barracks, the Great Hall is perfect to display scads of arms and armor - swords, pikes, pistols from the 16th - 19th century (on loan from the Tower of London royal armory). The Victorian stained glass windows are adorned with heraldic coats of arms.

David’s Tower – Step down into David's Tower (David II was the son of Robert the Bruce). The solidly tower was built in the late 14th century, mostly destroyed in a siege two hundred years later, but provided living quarters for 100 soldiers during another siege, and the hiding place for the Crown Jewels during World War II.

Two Scots Regimental Museums are chock full of medals, weapons, uniforms, battle dioramas of each regiment over the centuries.

Prisons of War – The vaults housed prisoners of war from the American Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Kids can wander through the cold dark rooms recreating prison life – sleeping in hammocks, prison food, wooden doors inscribed with graffiti.

Argyle Tower - Inside the tower is a good model of Edinburgh Castle, comfy window seats, and view of the city below.

St. Margaret's Chapel – The oldest building in Edinburgh, this tiny chapel was built in the 12th century in memory of Queen Margaret. The stained glass windows display Scottish saints, St. Margaret, St. Andrew, St. Columba, St. Ninian.

Mons Meg – This is the "biggie" cannon – a 15th century special that could fire huge cannonballs two miles out.

One O'clock Gun – Every day at one o'clock, this gun is fired. In the 19th century, firing the gun precisely at this time was used by ships to set their maritime clocks.