Scottish National War Memorial
Scottish National War Memorial
4.5
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The area
Neighborhood: 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-flavored 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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
56 reviews
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spedubec
Bologna, Italy5,801 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Inside the castle, right on Piazza della Corona, there is this memorial which, seen from the outside, could be confused with a church. It is forbidden to take photographs inside, but given the location, no one would think of taking them. The fallen of all the wars fought by the Scots up to the most recent ones in the Falklands and Iraq are remembered. The detailed explanation of the audio guide is interesting and even deals with the description of the stained glass windows.

Written January 23, 2024
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.
claudio d
Viterbo, Italy44,579 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
On Crown square, in the heart of that citadel known as Edinburgh Castle, on the north side stands this which, in my opinion, is the most beautiful building in the square. Inaugurated in 1927 to commemorate the Scots who lost their lives in the First World War, later, although without architectural changes, the names of the fallen of the Second World War were also added and then again those of the subsequent wars in which the United Kingdom was involved (for example the Korean War, or that of Falkland or the Gulf). Externally, in my opinion, it gives its best, with its neo-Gothic appearance (although with extensive use of round arches), rich in statues, gargoyles, various decorations and artistic stained glass windows; at first glance it almost looks like an imposing and original church (especially if you look at the building from the back side, where a real Gothic apse sprouts); the interior instead I liked a little less: imposing, in classical style, and if you like more usual for this type of memorials; of course I speak as a vacationer, because for a Scotsman the real heart of the building is obviously inside, where are also the registers with the names of the Fallen. I do not attach photos of the interior because, out of respect for the place, it was forbidden to take them.
Automatically translated
Written August 10, 2024
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.
James P
Cambridge, UK2,789 contributions
May 2022
The Scottish National War Memorial is within the grounds of the castle so you will need to pay for the castle ticket to visit it. Within are all the names of those who have died since the first world war. The atmosphere and silence within is moving.
Written August 8, 2022
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.
Matt L
London, UK114 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Wonderful place to visit; however, frustratingly they have loads of books of remembrance but they were all closed with signs saying to not touch. It would have been nice for some of them to be open to have seen what was inside.
Nice place of remembrance but not particularly informative.
Nice place of remembrance but not particularly informative.
Written August 13, 2022
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.
Sam3314
Derby, UK2,145 contributions
Oct 2020
The national armed forces memorial for Scotland. It stands near the top of the castle, across from the royal palace. Separate panels for each service and each regiment. Each regiment chose its own way to be remembered. Very solemn and moving
Written October 7, 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.
Qtime82
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK296 contributions
Nov 2019
This is part of the castle and can be viewed with castle entry.
Heart wrenching and amazing tribute
The work which has gone into it is amazing
A must visit
Heart wrenching and amazing tribute
The work which has gone into it is amazing
A must visit
Written November 3, 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.
colin g
Cliffsend, UK1,106 contributions
Mar 2020
A real national memorial for all the participants of the wars. Seen similar in France but cant say I have seen anything like it in the UK before . Very moving a must to visit
Written March 6, 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.
Eric G
Utah578 contributions
Oct 2019
Located on the grounds of Edinburgh Castle, in an appropriately designed building, the memorial commemorates the somewhat less than 200,000 Scottish war casualties from World Ward One to the present. I was moved, and I'm not Scottish, so I can only imagine what this would be like for the relatives of those that fought and died for their country. The Castle audio guide does a fine job of explaining the memorial, including the many stain glass windows (the building was previously a church). This is an excellent war memorial, but it isn't a happy for fun place, and I don't recommend it for young kids.
Written November 26, 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.
TheOldMacs
Canberra, Australia346 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
This memorial in the heart of the Edinburgh Castle grounds is amazing.
It provides its visitors with a number of books which list all Scots who lost their lives in the First World War. Around the top of the walls it lists the majority of major battles in which Scots took place during the war. They have numerous Regimental Colours on display, a number of which are more than 100 years old.
The mood in the memorial is quite sombre, and the majority of visitors show the appropriate respect while in the building.
Well worth the visit, and give yourself time to take in the reverential atmosphere.
It provides its visitors with a number of books which list all Scots who lost their lives in the First World War. Around the top of the walls it lists the majority of major battles in which Scots took place during the war. They have numerous Regimental Colours on display, a number of which are more than 100 years old.
The mood in the memorial is quite sombre, and the majority of visitors show the appropriate respect while in the building.
Well worth the visit, and give yourself time to take in the reverential atmosphere.
Written October 30, 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.
Skeney57
Sydney, Australia24,996 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
You are not allowed to take pictures inside the War Memorial which is a pity as it is hard to describe but the reverence shown by both staff & visitors makes for a solemn occasion. But it is very well done with the small Chapel of Remembrance and the books listing the fallen, well worth your time t pay your respect.
Written February 7, 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.
Can you get to this War Memorial without paying to go inside the Castle?
Written March 11, 2019
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