Primary learning activities at Edinburgh Castle

Our Castle Life programme allows groups to mix and match activities to get hands on with life in a medieval castle. It's free of charge and can accommodate 33 learners at First and Second Level. Each class can book up to two activities from the selection below.

Availability and booking

Castle Life is available from Monday to Thursday during term time. The morning slot begins at 10.30am and the afternoon slot begins at 12.30pm. Each slot allows for two 45-minute activity slots with room for a short break.

Discover Castle Life is not available between May and August inclusive due to crowd levels at the castle.

How to book

Discover Castle Life

On this 45-minute facilitated tour around the castle, learners will investigate what life was like when it was home to Scotland’s kings and queens. They'll spot clues on the buildings and become the characters through movement, objects, and costume. We provide an enthusiastic and knowledgeable member of our team to lead the tour as well as images, objects, and costumes.

Accessibility: Includes stairs, but can be be step free on request.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-04a, LIT 1-07a, LIT 2-07a
Recommended pairings: Investigate Castle Life or Create Castle Life

Investigate Castle Life

This 45-minute facilitated workshop is inspired by the many roles in the royal court, from nobility to servants. Learners will become a character and explore objects and costume to understand what it was like to live and work at the castle. We provide an enthusiastic and knowledgeable member of our team to lead the workshop, together with replica objects and costumes, worksheets and notes so learning can continue in the classroom.

Accessibility: One of our learning rooms has step free access via a lift. Let us know if you require a room with step free access.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-04a, LIT 1-10a, LIT 2-10a
Recommended pairings: Discover Castle life or Explore Castle Life

Explore Castle Life

This teacher-led trail takes around 60 minutes. Use our group leader notes to discover what the castle was like as a royal residence. The notes provide information, questions for your learners and bonus fun facts. Each learner can use their own booklet to record their feelings and observations as they explore. 

Accessibility: trail includes stairs, but step free alternatives are available.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-04a, ENG 1-30a, ENG 2-30

We can provide printed copies of the group leader notes and learner booklets, or you can download them here:

Create Castle Life

This teacher-led craft activity takes 45 minutes and focuses on the many heraldic shields found at Edinburgh Castle, each with a unique design to represent their owner. In our learning room, group leaders can dig deeper into the traditions behind designing shields. Each learner can then create their own shield design that represents them. We provide group leader notes and a PowerPoint presentation for you to use, as well as instruction sheets, shield templates and all necessary craft supplies.

Accessibility: Our learning room which has a lift to provide step free access.
Curriculum links: EXA 1-05a / EXA 2-05a
Recommended pairings: Shield spotter trail, Discover castle life tour or Explore castle life trail

Shield Spotter Trail

This teacher-led trail takes 45 minutes and allows you to explore the history of the castle's heraldic shields. Our group leader notes lead you to each stop, where learners will uncover the symbolism of heraldic code. Upon request we can provide printed copies of the trail.

Accessibility: This trail follows a step-free route.
Curriculum links: EXA 1-05a / EXA 2-05a

This free, teacher-led trail takes around 60 minutes and is suitable for Second Level learners.

During the First World War, Edinburgh Castle was an important place as a recruitment and training centre, a prison of war, and a hospital. The trail explores the roles the castle played in the conflict and afterwards as a place of remembrance. Learners can step into the shoes of First World War recruits and follow their journey during the war.

Upon request we can provide printed copies of the group leader notes and learner trails. You can book a meet and greet slot to pick up notes and booklets at 10.00am or 11.00am from Monday to Thursday during term time.

Accessibility: Some stops on this trail require climbing steps, please contact us at ec.learning@hes.scot if you have any questions about access.
Curriculum links: SOC 2-01a, SOC 2-03a

How to book

This facilitated tour of Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace is for learners at First and Second Level. It costs £6 per pupil.

Walk in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots with this joint visit to Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. Your learners will explore two of Mary’s most important residences with a member of our learning team and compare the differences between them.

Accessibility: Some stops are accessed via stairs, please include any accessibility requirements when booking.
Curriculum links:  SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-04a, SOC 1-06a, SOC 2-06a, EXA 1-05a, EXA 2-05

Schedule 

10.00am to 11.15am: session at the palace
11.15am to noon: walk to the castle
Noon to 12.30pm: lunch at the castle
12.30pm–1.45pm: session at the castle

Availability and booking

This activity needs to booked via the Royal Collection Trust website.

Make a booking