Panorama taken from the approach to Argyle Tower and the Castle Gate in the Lower Ward of Edinburgh Castle. Picture taken in May 2009, the people dressed in red check visitors for valid tickets.

Edinburgh Castle - Lower Ward - Edinburgh visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Edinburgh Castle - Lower Ward' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Lothian.

The Lower Ward of Edinburgh Castle is the first section of the castle walked through by visitors. It contains the 1888 Gate House (now Castle Offices), ticket offices, shop, information center and toilets. Visitors continue up the cobbled path under Argyle Tower and through the Portcullis gate, coming into the Middle Ward next to Long Stairs and the Argyle Battery and the first panoramic viewpoint over Edinburgh from the castle walls.

The high walls and steep cliffs that line this passage give the first true impression of the strategic defenses protecting the rest of the castle from attack.

Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill
Edinburgh
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Bus: 24 to Lawnmarket.
Walk: Edinburgh Castle is at the western end of the Royal Mile, which leads down east to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament. This is about 15 minutes walk from Waverley Station and the Tourist Information Centre.