This quiz looks at one of Scotland’s most famous strongholds. Dominating the Edinburgh skyline, this iconic site is packed with centuries of royal drama, military sieges, and ancient architectural marvels.
You will see questions about the volcanic foundations, medieval sieges, and the legendary Honours of Scotland. Other questions focus on the famous daily cannons and royal births.
When you finish, try some other trivia. We have quizzes on historic places, castles and palaces, and famous landmarks.
Which historic time-signalling device is fired daily at 1:00 PM (except Sundays) from the castle’s Mills Mount Battery?
Mons Meg
Mons Meg
Noon Cannon
Noon Cannon
Harbour Bell
Harbour Bell
One O’Clock Gun
One O’Clock Gun
What type of geological landform, shaped by ancient volcanic activity and glacial erosion, does the castle stand on?
Caldera
Caldera
Fjord
Fjord
Moraine
Moraine
Crag and tail
Crag and tail
Which collection of the oldest surviving crown jewels in the British Isles is kept in the castle’s Crown Room?
Honours of Scotland
Honours of Scotland
Regalia of Albion
Regalia of Albion
Crown Jewels of the Highlands
Crown Jewels of the Highlands
Sovereignty of Scone
Sovereignty of Scone
Which famous monarch gave birth to the future James VI of Scotland in the castle in 1566?
Victoria
Victoria
Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I
Anne
Anne
Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary, Queen of Scots
Built around 1130, what is the oldest surviving building within the castle complex?
St Margaret’s Chapel
St Margaret’s Chapel
The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace
The Governor’s House
The Governor’s House
The Great Hall
The Great Hall
What is the name of the daily ritual involving a cannon fire, designed to help ships in the Firth of Forth set their maritime clocks?
The daily salute
The daily salute
One O’Clock Gun
One O’Clock Gun
The changing of the guard
The changing of the guard
The evening retreat
The evening retreat
During which major historical conflict was the castle famously captured by Robert the Bruce’s nephew, Thomas Randolph, in 1314?
The Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars
The Wars of Scottish Independence
The Wars of Scottish Independence
The Jacobite Rising
The Jacobite Rising
The First World War
The First World War
The Crown Jewels of Scotland, housed in the castle, are collectively referred to by what historical term?
Vestments
Vestments
Insignia
Insignia
Heirlooms
Heirlooms
Regalia
Regalia
What is the name of the famous 15th-century siege cannon displayed on the ramparts of the castle?
Mons Meg
Mons Meg
Great Bertha
Great Bertha
Castle Guardian
Castle Guardian
Iron Duke
Iron Duke
Which king is credited with founding the castle’s oldest chapel, naming it after his mother?
King Malcolm III
King Malcolm III
King David I
King David I
King James IV
King James IV
King Robert the Bruce
King Robert the Bruce
What site within the castle walls serves as a commemorative space for Scots who served in the armed forces?
The Hall of Valor
The Hall of Valor
The Royal Scots Museum
The Royal Scots Museum
The Scottish Military Exhibition
The Scottish Military Exhibition
The Scottish National War Memorial
The Scottish National War Memorial
By what specific name are the Crown Jewels of Scotland known?
Jewels of Destiny
Jewels of Destiny
Monarchs’ Riches
Monarchs’ Riches
Honours of Scotland
Honours of Scotland
Regents’ Treasures
Regents’ Treasures
The castle sits atop which volcanic feature that dominates the skyline of the city?
Castle Rock
Castle Rock
Calton Hill
Calton Hill
Arthur’s Seat
Arthur’s Seat
Salisbury Crags
Salisbury Crags
Which structure was built in the 16th century following the destruction of the David Tower during the Lang Siege?
The Half Moon Battery
The Half Moon Battery
The Argyle Tower
The Argyle Tower
St. Margaret’s Chapel
St. Margaret’s Chapel
The Portcullis Gate
The Portcullis Gate
Which famous Scottish novelist was instrumental in the rediscovery of the Honours of Scotland in 1818?
Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott
The Crown of Scotland, part of the regalia, is primarily constructed from which precious metal?
Bronze
Bronze
Silver
Silver
Platinum
Platinum
Gold
Gold
During the mid-17th century, whose forces occupied Edinburgh Castle and dismantled parts of the royal apartments?
George II
George II
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Charles I
Charles I
William of Orange
William of Orange
What large open space outside the entrance of Edinburgh Castle was created in the 18th century as a parade ground and site for public executions?
The Esplanade
The Esplanade
The Foog’s Gate
The Foog’s Gate
The Pend
The Pend
The Governor’s House
The Governor’s House
St Margaret’s Chapel in Edinburgh Castle was dedicated to Queen Margaret, who was the wife of which Scottish king?
Malcolm III
Malcolm III
Robert the Bruce
Robert the Bruce
James IV
James IV
David I
David I
In which year were the Honours of Scotland hidden away following the Act of Union with England?
1721
1721
1715
1715
1707
1707
1701
1701
Which cavalry regiment, whose museum is located in the castle, is the oldest surviving Cavalry Regiment of the Line in the British Army?
The Black Watch
The Black Watch
The Gordon Highlanders
The Gordon Highlanders
The Cameronians
The Cameronians
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Aside from the original volcanic activity, what major geographical force primarily shaped the steep cliffs of Castle Rock?
Plate tectonics
Plate tectonics
Seismic uplift
Seismic uplift
Glacier erosion
Glacier erosion
Volcanic eruption
Volcanic eruption
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