The Great Hall
The Great Hall
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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4.5
47 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
21
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Gaurav C
New Delhi, India2,959 contributions
Mar 2019
The Great hall certainly is a marvel of the old era...The wooden roof is a splendor in itself...It is displaying weapons and armors reminiscent of its glorious military past..It is located in the crown square of the castle..a tic is needed to visualize its splendor..
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David_Montrose
Hong Kong, China11 contributions
Dec 2019
A free-with-admission drop-in event. Queen Marie Stuart in person favoured her audience with the tale of her parentage, succession and marriages (a useful Scottish history lesson not likely to be forgotten by the kids in the crowd) and regal instruction in the proper forms of curtseying, bowing, scraping and hooray-ing with sufficient gusto to satisfy the royal personage.
In the firelit Great Hall it didn't take much to suspend disbelief. The encounter felt real enough that it would have been mildly eerie if the queen hadn't revealed a highly developed sense of haughty fun: the Stuart tongue gave every appearance of being firmly lodged in the royal cheek. Chattering visitors at the far end of the hall were chided in character. "Good people, pray why do you treat me thus?! I am at audience with my court!" Or something very like it.
Many thanks to the Castle team for creating a simple event which wonderfully brought part of the castle's long life, to vivid life. Please pass on my special thanks to the scriptwriter and actor, who for one visitor at least had even the doughty Saoirse beat hands-down.
In the firelit Great Hall it didn't take much to suspend disbelief. The encounter felt real enough that it would have been mildly eerie if the queen hadn't revealed a highly developed sense of haughty fun: the Stuart tongue gave every appearance of being firmly lodged in the royal cheek. Chattering visitors at the far end of the hall were chided in character. "Good people, pray why do you treat me thus?! I am at audience with my court!" Or something very like it.
Many thanks to the Castle team for creating a simple event which wonderfully brought part of the castle's long life, to vivid life. Please pass on my special thanks to the scriptwriter and actor, who for one visitor at least had even the doughty Saoirse beat hands-down.
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taxidevil
Glasgow, UK2,935 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
It was cold and very windy when we visited Edinburgh Castle recently so we took refuge in the Great Hall just in time for a performance on how pikes were used in battle. It was very entertaining and included audience participation. i wish I could remember the name of the chap who gave the demonstration but he was very funny and informative.
You even got a chance to take part in a schiltron! If you want to know what a schiltron is then you can visit the Great hall during a demonstration
You even got a chance to take part in a schiltron! If you want to know what a schiltron is then you can visit the Great hall during a demonstration
Written 18 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa P
Calgary, Canada1,462 contributions
July 2019
There is a little line to see this place, but it worth it. The little halls are medieval style with hand painted ornaments, then you end in the great hall that has a magnificent original ceiling structure and display of medieval weapons. A must to see. Then, if you keep following the crowd you will be directed to the Scotland crown jewels that were returned to Scotland from England just a few years ago.
Written 20 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Africa Tourist
Sydney, Australia9,302 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
The hall is huge with swords and other weapons displayed on the walls. It highlights the grandeur of the times when Kings displayed their power publically the roof is incredible with details of power on the ceiling.
Written 26 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Sept 2018
The Great Hall is part of Edinburgh Castle. You need a ticket, of course, to get there. And it is really worth it. We took the best part of a whole day in the whole castle. The Great Hall was completed in the early 16th century. Today it features a beautifully maintained interior. The ceiling is particularly worth a good look. There are also displays of armour and weapons and other objects. Definitely worth checking out.
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tinaNtravel
San Jose, CA2,010 contributions
May 2019 • Family
The Great Hall is, of course, a large hall. The ceiling contains dark wooden beams, the walls are painted red, and further down is more wood paneling. Swords decorate the walls. If I remember correctly, in the back of the Great Hall is a very small room where James VI and I was born – the first King of Scotland, England and Ireland.
Written 10 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kay-cee-1138
Houston, TX486 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
This is possibly your reviewer's favorite spot in all of Edinburgh Castle. Its size, excellent condition, armory pieces along the wall, massive and intricate ceiling beams, and the superb woodworking along the walls never lose their appeal. And when we were there most recently, a gentleman was giving regular demonstrations of medieval musical insruments that might well have been played during events in a great hall such as this one. The detail in the woodcarving, especially on the wall next to and around the entry door where it can be seen up close, is quite respectable. Note also the cozy window seats, all in wood, along the outside wall.
The Great Hall is entered from the square where the Crown Jewels and the Scottish War Memorial are located. The hall's entrance is in the southwest corner of the square.
The Great Hall is entered from the square where the Crown Jewels and the Scottish War Memorial are located. The hall's entrance is in the southwest corner of the square.
Written 8 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
itchyfeet2014
Glasgow, UK2,295 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
I arrived here in order to get out of the torrential rain and wind last week while visiting the castle. A stunning hall, amazing fireplace and wonderful wooden vaulted ceiling. It was very crowded as people took shelter from the weather. A tour was in progress and the Guide was dressed in traditional clothes and very informative. An option to be considered while visiting this historical place.
Written 8 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ranjanapathak
Orlando, FL1,401 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
A wonderful place to see, the Great Hall stands at the heart of the Edinburgh castle in Crown Square. It has a most remarkable and magnificent wooden roof. Giant beams rest on engraved stones. The king who got made this Great Hall could not stay much as he was killed in a Battle. Now the walls of the hall have display of armor like swords and shields, and axe.
Written 30 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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