Donate

Visiting us

The Scottish National War Memorial is located in the heart of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It is found within the walls of Edinburgh Castle.

Visits to the Castle are by timed ticket and tickets can be obtained via the Edinburgh Castle website.

For visits to the Memorial only, please request a visit by writing to ticketing@hes.scot.

If you only wish to visit the Memorial, please note that you will not have an opportunity to visit any other parts of the Castle.

The Memorial is a 15 minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station and the Edinburgh City Centre Bus Station and it is five miles from Edinburgh Airport. Car parking is available in the Castle area, but not on the Castle Esplanade.

Their Name Liveth

The Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle is open to the public every day of the week from 9.30am to 6.00pm or 5.00pm, depending on the season. Please note that last entry is an hour prior to the Castle’s closing time. Please contact Historic Environment Scotland at Edinburgh Castle for precise opening times – Tel: +44 (0)131 225 9846.

Please note that when the Castle is open, it will not be possible to visit the Memorial only between 1230 and 1330 and when ceremonial events e.g gun salutes on the King’s birthday, are taking place in the Castle. Please check the Castle website for dates of Ceremonial events before your visit.

The Memorial is also closed at Christmas and when commemoration services are being held.

If you wish to visit the Castle as well as the Memorial, you must pay an admission charge. The best price for entry to the castle is online.

Visitors are respectfully asked to remember that this is a Shrine to those who gave their lives in the service of their country. Please respect the privacy of those paying homage by refraining from photography of any kind and maintaining a respectful silence.

The Scottish National War Memorial is a charitable trust and donations towards the upkeep of the Memorial are always welcome. Donation boxes and a "Goodbox" (accepting card donations) are to be found in the Memorial Hall and Porch.

Our Instagram posts

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember themThe Chief Executive and the Keeper of the Rolls laid the wreath on behalf of The Scottish National War Memorial at today's National Service in Edinburgh Image credit Mark OwensIn Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.As well as being the season of Remembrance it's also Trustees Week - a week to showcase the work of charity trustees. The Memorial is an independent charity that exists solely upon public donations and charitable grants. A Board of Trustees is entrusted with the management of the Memorial and they employ a Chief Executive who looks after the running of the Memorial on a daily basis. We are very grateful to the Board of Trustees for their continued support in preserving the Memorial for the next generation. #lestweforget #trusteesweekThis Remembrance season you can order commemorative certificates, roll of honour extracts and other items from our online shop. All profits made go towards supporting the Memorial. https://www.snwm.org/shop/Please note the Scottish National War Memorial will be temporarily closed from 1030am-1115am on Sunday 2nd NovemberEven over 100 years later we are still adding casualties to the Rolls of Honour in the Memorial. Sometimes as a result of people researching their family history or perhaps their local war memorial. Regular SNWM correspondent Pat Anderson of Forfar sent us a file for consideration for Gunner Alex Cargill, killed in action in 1916. Shown in the photos is an extract from Very pleased to be part of such a special day at Dunfermline War Memorial Rededication today. HRH The Princess Royal joined us for it. Great to see so many young people from local schools and youth groups there too. #wewillrememberthem #remembrance #lestweforget #fifecouncilMore exciting things happening yesterday Today marks the 10th anniversary of Merchant Navy Day. The Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial contain the names of 6,378 Scottish seafarers who lost their lives in both world wars. Apprentice James Reid Carr, was one of them. He was only 20 years old when he was killed on 21st September 1940. His ship SS BARON BLYTHSWOOD in convoy HX-72 was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-99. She sank within 40 seconds. The master, 33 crew members and one gunner were lost in the freezing waters south of Iceland. Today approximately 95% of all goods imported to and from the UK travel by sea. Today is an opportunity to recognise the sacrifices made by merchant seafarers in keeping world trade moving.Fantastic to be a guest at the #edinburghtattoo last night as one of their charity partners. A brilliant performance by the cast and team, thank you for a wonderful evening.Please note the Memorial will be temporarily closed on the morning of Friday 15th August as we commemorate VJDay 80 and will reopen at approx 1330.Truly a pleasure to meet Mary Forbes and her Grandaughter Aimee (pictured) today and show them around the Memorial. They brought with them a letter from the front line written by Commanding Officer of Mary's husband's Great Uncle - Pte George Fairholm Forbes. George was killed in WWI and he is listed in our Rolls of Honour. The very moving letter from his CO reads: Exciting day yesterday at the Memorial as we kicked off our film project in conjunction with @morayhouseuoe and Dr Paul Hamilton @_paulhamilton. Huge thanks to Lochgelly High School and @edinburghtrinityseacadets @seacadetsleith for coming along to support us! The project is supported financially by The MacRobert Trust and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo @edinburghtattoo and we are extremely grateful to them for their assistance.Please note the Memorial will be temporarily closed on Tuesday 15th July until 1130am.A few images from our Annual Service of Commemoration earlier this month. Images courtesy of Mark Owen & Edinburgh District Sea CadetsPlease note the Memorial will be temporarily closed tomorrow morning (Friday 6th June). It will reopen at approx 1300.Lovely to see the Royal Navy standing guard at the castle this week. A first for the Royal Navy in Scotland. BZ #royalnavy #royalnavyscotland #edinburghcastleDo you have a relative listed in our rolls of honour? Did you know you can order special commemorative certificates and extracts of the rolls of honour through our website? You can search our online database for free to find war casualties and order certifcates and extracts from our online shop. A small fee applies to cover production costs and delivery. See link below to order. https://www.snwm.org/shop/roll-extracts/The Second World War Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial contain the names of 57,778 Scottish casualties. Here are a few of the faces behind the names. Apprentice James Carr MN Killed when his ship SS Baron Blythswood was torpedoed, 20 Sept 1940, age 20 Sqn Ldr Archie McKellar DSO, DFC & Bar – Killed in action, 1940 Flt Sgt John Hannah VC LACW Margaret Campbell WAAF Killed in action 24th October 1944 LCpl Anna MacLeod Auxiliary Territorial Service, killed in action 11 May 1943, aged 23 Stoker 2nd class William Snedden. Killed in action 1943, aged 19 All gave some, some gave all. We will never forget them.Fantastic evening last night at the VE Day 80 concert at the Usher Hall. So pleased the Memorial was part of such a special event. Thank you to Legion Scotland and Poppy Scotland for a very fitting tribute. #lestweforget #veday80 #remembrance #militarywiveschoirPlease note the Memorial will be temporarily closed on the morning of Friday 25th April for a private service. It will reopen at approximately 1300.Pleased to see our beautiful lion repaired and enjoying the spring sunshine yesterday. He sustained some damage and lost an ear during Storm Eowyn. Good to see him restored to his former glory thanks to the superb stonemasons at #historicenvironmentscotland 😊Our next free tour of the Memorial will be next week on Wednesday 26th March. Click on the link below to book your tickets! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-tour-of-the-scottish-national-war-memorial-tickets-1262851555999?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
Loading