edinburgh castle case study & student...

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EDINBURGH CASTLE CASE

STUDY & STUDENT

ACTIVITY

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Background

Since 1991 Historic Scotland has managed Edinburgh Castle on

behalf of the Crown.

Location

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It is situated within the

region of Edinburgh and the Lothians. As a main gateway to Scotland,

Edinburgh has excellent transport links. Visitors can travel to

Edinburgh by road, rail, and air, and by ferry to Rosyth.




Access to Edinburgh Castle

The Castle is in central Edinburgh. Car and coach parking is available,

for a maximum of 2 hours. Cars cost £3.00 to park and coaches £6.00.

Car parking is not available during the months when the Edinburgh

Military Tattoo is on.

There is parking for visitors with a disability on the Esplanade directly

in front of the Castle. A courtesy vehicle (provided by the Bank of

Scotland) can take visitors with a disability to the top of the Castle or,

if it is not available, visitors with a disability can take their own car

from the Esplanade to Crown Square.

Ramps and a lift give access to the Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny

and associated exhibitions. Ramps also provide access to the War

Memorial.

Wheelchairs are available from the Castle, however steep, cobbled

roadways make pushing hard work. Due to width restrictions some

areas are unsuitable for wheelchair users including St Margaret’s

Chapel, Queen Mary’s Room, the King’s Dining Room and the

Crown Jewels exhibition.




What does Edinburgh Castle offer?

Edinburgh Castle is the most famous of Scottish castles. It has a

complex building history:

The oldest part, and Edinburgh’s oldest building, is the tiny St

Margaret’s Chapel, which dates from the 1100s

Crown Square, the main courtyard, was developed in the 15th

century

The Great Hall with its impressive hammerbeam roof was built

by James IV around 1510

The Half Moon Battery was constructed by the Regent Morton

in the late 16th century

The Scottish National War Memorial was added after the First

World War

Amongst the attractions that visitors to Edinburgh Castle will also

find are:

The ‘Honours of the Kingdom’ exhibition telling the story of

the Crown Jewels of Scotland and how they were saved from

Cromwell to become some of the oldest surviving regalia in

Europe; the exhibition includes hands-on models of the

Scottish Regalia and a Braille interpretation of their history

The famous Stone of Destiny – taken to Westminster Abbey in

1296 and returned to Scotland 700 years later

The giant medieval siege cannon Mons Meg can be seen

proudly standing on the castle ramparts

Visitors are encouraged to listen for the One O’Clock Gun and

see a fascinating display on the history of time guns and

timekeeping




The Magnificent Laich Hall

The National War Museum of Scotland

Recently opened in 2004 as part of a refurbishment and upgrading

project, is the Prisoners of War exhibition within the castle vaults,

with a tour that recreates the sights and sounds of the Castle’s use as a

prison for sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Castle is the location for the world famous Edinburgh Military

Tattoo. Visitors are urged to look out for a varied programme of other

events at the Castle. These help to bring history to life.

Audio-visual guides are available with commentaries in English,

French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese. These are free for

educational groups who have booked their visit through the education

department.

There are two cafés at the Castle, the Queen Anne café and the

Redcoat café.

These provide a place to rest and buy refreshments. They are open all

year.

Whenever possible the cafés serve freshly made cakes and Scottish

influenced menus using produce and suppliers from the local area.

There is also a large, well-stocked gift shop, a book shop and a Crown

Jewels shop

Further information about Edinburgh Castle can be found

on the website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk




STUDENT ACTIVITY

EDINBURGH CASTLE




STUDENT EXERCISE

Edinburgh Castle is a very well known historic monument and visitor

attraction.

The case study about Edinburgh Castle provides some information,

however you will need to carry out your own research for this Student

Exercise.

a) Edinburgh Castle has lots of different amenities. Here

are some of the symbols used to inform potential visitors

about those amenities. Above or below each symbol give

its meaning.

b) Find Edinburgh Castle on a map. Make a note of the

Map Reference for the Castle.

_____________________________________________________________

c) Describe the physical features of the location of

Edinburgh Castle.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________




d) What are the opening times for Edinburgh Castle?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

e) What is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and when does it

take place?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

f) What types of customers will be interested in visiting

Edinburgh Castle?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

g) Which organisation has responsibility for Edinburgh

Castle? Name two other attractions run by this

organisation, and describe their locations.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________




STUDENT WORKOUT

This Student Workout builds on the case study that provides some

background details about Edinburgh Castle. You will need to carry

out additional research.

a) What type of tourist destination is Edinburgh classified

as?

_____________________________________________________________

b) When is the Edinburgh International Festival? Where is it

held?

Describe some of the Festival events.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

c) Describe where Rosyth is located. Name a company

that runs a ferry service to Rosyth, and provide details of

the route, times and frequency of the service, and the

journey time. How long does it take to get from Rosyth to

the centre of Edinburgh?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________




d) You work in a Tourist Information Centre in Edinburgh.

Use your knowledge of the City to deal with these

enquiries.

1. A wheelchair user is interested in visiting Edinburgh Castle. She

plans to travel to the Castle by car, with a friend.

2. A French couple want directions to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of

Holyroodhouse, and the Zoo. They are on foot.

3. A family from North West England want to visit the Scottish

Parliament, the Scott Monument, the Royal Botanical Gardens and

Britannia. They have a car.

4. Two men in their 30s are interested in watching some sports.




GUIDE FOR TEACHERS

Edinburgh Castle is a very well known historic monument and visitor

attraction.

The Student Exercise and Workout Activities build on the ‘Popular

Tourist Destinations in Scotland’ case study that provides some

background details about Edinburgh Castle. Students will need to

carry out additional research.

The tasks are mainly related to the Intermediate 2 unit ‘Tourist

Destinations’, however all the tasks can be extended for use with

Higher level students taking the unit ‘Scottish Tourism Product: An

Introduction’.

Suggestions for Answers

Exercise

For a class-based session, teachers may prefer to provide leaflets and

guide books for students to use, or make available internet access.

Task (a): Symbols are usually used to inform visitors about what an

attraction has in the way of amenities and services. It will help

students to develop good product knowledge and to answer enquiries

if they are able to recognise some commonly used symbols.




Task (b): It would be useful for students to look at a map and at a

detailed Edinburgh city centre plan. The O.S. map reference given for

Edinburgh Castle in its information pack for schools is NT251 735. A

plan showing the location of Edinburgh Castle is included in the case

study.

Task (c): Edinburgh Castle is situated on an extinct volcanic outcrop

135 metres above sea level, overlooking Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Its location means that the Castle dominates the skyline. It also means

that there are wonderful views for visitors.

Task (d): The usual opening hours for Edinburgh Castle are:

Time of year Opening Hours

1 April – 30 September 9.30am to 6.00pm

1 October – 31 March 9.30am to 5.00pm

The last ticket is sold 45 minutes before closing.

As the Easter Bank Holiday weekend is early in 2005, the summer

opening times begin on 25 March 2005.

Edinburgh Castle is normally open 7 days a week, but is closed on 25

and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.




Task (e): The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a really fantastic ‘sight

and sound’ show. It was first performed in the 1950s. The Tattoo

begins with the massed pipers and drummers from Scottish regiments,

then proceeds to a ‘show’ usually including international acts such as

Chinese acrobats, plus exhibitions of battles, motor bike displays and

other daredevil activities. The event always closes with the ‘Lone

Piper’. The money raised from the Tattoo goes to charity. It takes

place right in front of Edinburgh Castle on the Esplanade. The Tattoo

runs every night except Sundays for three weeks in August (in 2005

the dates are 5 – 27 August).

Temporary seating stands are put up between June and August, and

then have to be dismantled again, which is why parking on the

Esplanade is restricted from June to October.

Task (f): Edinburgh Castle appeals to all kinds of customers as there

is something for everyone from children to senior citizens, local

people to visitors from overseas. It is also used for corporate events.

You can even get married at Edinburgh Castle. The Castle is steeped

in history, there are lots of interesting tales attached to each part of the

Castle, plus new, more ‘hands-on’, exhibits for those who prefer to be

more involved. Very few visitors to the City of Edinburgh will NOT

have been to its world famous Castle.

Task (g): Historic Scotland is responsible for Edinburgh Castle.

Historic Scotland was set up on 1st April 1991, as an Executive

Agency by the Secretary of State for Scotland, as part of the

Government’s Next Steps Initiative. The Agency is part of the

Scottish Executive Education Department and is headed by the Chief

Executive, who is directly accountable to Scottish Ministers.




Historic Scotland’s mission is to safeguard the nation’s built heritage

and to promote its understanding and enjoyment.

The Agency’s main objectives are to:

protect and conserve Scotland’s built heritage

encourage public appreciation and enjoyment of Scotland’s

built heritage

play an active role in the development and success of Scottish

Ministers’ social, economic and environmental policies

be effective and efficient in its work

Historic Scotland cares for some 300 properties in Scotland, 70 of

which charge for admission. A few examples are Melrose Abbey,

Stirling Castle, Skara Brae, Caerlaverock Castle, Fort George, Maes

Howe, and Aberdour Castle. Teachers may wish to direct students to

look at properties that are in destinations covered by the curriculum.

Suggestions for Answers – Edinburgh Student Workout

Students will need to undertake additional research for this Student

Workout. The tasks focus on Edinburgh as a major tourist destination.

For a class-based session, teachers may prefer to provide leaflets and

guide books for students to use, or make internet access available.

Task (a): The City of Edinburgh has a great deal to offer. It is

probably best classified as an historical and cultural destination.

Task (b): There are lots of different festivals in Edinburgh. The

Edinburgh International Festival is probably the most famous. It

attracts visitors from every corner of the world. It takes place every

August. Events vary each year, but always include a wide variety of

different musical performances from classical and opera, to jazz and




blues, to folk, rock and pop. There are also plays, street shows, acts by

comedians, art exhibitions etc. - every possible type of entertainment.

For many years there has also been a ‘Fringe Festival’ with less

expensive or free events and more ‘non-establishment’ alternative

events.

Task (c): Rosyth is in the County of Fife, to the North West of

Edinburgh, across

the Forth Road Bridge, and immediately west. The company Superfast

Ferries (www.superfast.com) began running crossings to Belgium in

2002 and, in March 2005, was running a daily service from Rosyth to

Zeebrugge in Belgium, departing Rosyth at 17.00 and arriving at

11.30 in Zeebrugge. The travelling time by ferry is 17.5 hours. The

Superfast ships are impressive and the whole ferry trip is very

enjoyable. Each of the route's two ferries boasts a games room, sauna,

whirlpool and massage areas, conference rooms, business centre and

Internet facilities, restaurants, bars, card room, disco and children's

playroom. There is room for 626 passengers and more than 100

private cars as well as 110 trucks.

Rosyth is about 8 miles from Edinburgh. The length of time to travel

from Edinburgh to Rosyth will depend on the type of transport used.

Teachers may find it useful to create a Customer Service scenario

giving directions, based on information obtained by students for this

task. The following details will be helpful.

Getting to Rosyth ferry port by Car: Rosyth Port is located North

West of the Forth Road Bridge via the A90 from Edinburgh or the

M90 from Dunfermline.

Travellers should then take the A985 west to Rosyth and then follow




the signs to the Ferry Port.

Getting to Rosyth ferry port by rail/bus: Rosyth railbus is a through

ticket scheme that permits travel by train to Inverkeithing station, then

on by bus to Rosyth Port, using bus services operated by Stagecoach

and Fife Buses. Ferries from the port travel daily to Zeebrugge in

Belgium, from where travellers may connect with the primary

transportation routes of Europe.

Car Parking in Rosyth ferry port: At the Rosyth ferry terminal,

travellers will find both short and long-term car parking facilities

available, with designated areas for those with disabilities.

This task also offers the opportunity for students to find out more

about Rosyth, and the county of Fife, an area often toured by visitors

to Edinburgh. Here is an extract from the website

www.aferry.to/rosyth-ferry.htm.

“The port of Rosyth is in the wonderful county of Fife with its

picturesque fishing villages tucked along the coast. The haven for

golf-lovers is St Andrews. In fact this east-coast city is the birthplace

of this sport. Fife's central location also makes it the ideal start for

your exploration of other parts of Scotland. The captivating city of

Edinburgh is only a stone's throw and you can get to trendy Glasgow

in less than no time. To the south the Lowlands call, with their gently

rolling hills, while to the north lie the Highlands with their wild and

romantic natural landscape.”

Task (d): Teachers may prefer to divide these tasks between students.

Students will need access to a good map/plan of Edinburgh, along

with leaflets about the attractions, or access to the internet. (The

Edinburgh and Lothian Tourist Board website for Edinburgh is useful




- www.edinburgh.org. For maps try www.multimap.com.) Once

students have found the necessary information, opening details and

charges as well as directions, teachers may wish to organise role plays

in which students demonstrate their product knowledge in providing

service to different types of customer.

1. The basic information to answer this enquiry is in the case study,

however students should obtain the latest list of areas at Edinburgh

Castle that are accessible to wheelchair users. Students should make

sure that they give full details about the difficulty of pushing a

wheelchair on cobbled roads and uphill.

2. This situation could be adapted so that students learning French

(listening and speaking) can speak to the customers in their own

language. Some prior preparation would be necessary, including

learning how to give directions and some tourism terms.

When dealing with customers whose first language is not English,

students should be advised that communication is often helped by

referring to a map or plan, and writing down directions. Students need

to remember that the French couple are on foot and may need to use

public transport to get to some attractions, or may prefer to take a

guided tour.

The case study provides basic information regarding the location of

Edinburgh Castle and what is there. Students will need to check

admission prices.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is in Canongate. There is a charge for

the Royal Collection.




The couple may need to use public transport to get to Edinburgh Zoo

(www.edinburghzoo.org.uk). From Edinburgh city centre Lothian

Buses 12, 26, 31 go past the Zoo. By train, visitors have to get off at

Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket stations, then use the buses above.

3. This family has a car, however for some attractions it may be easier

for the family to park the car and walk, or use public transport or take

a coach tour. Students should give appropriate advice.

The Scottish Parliament is in Holyrood Road. Visitors are allowed to

watch Parliament in session on Business Days and guided tours are

available. The Scott Monument is one of Edinburgh’s most famous

landmarks. It is in East

Princess Street Gardens. You can view the monument from the

outside, but there is a charge to climb the 287 steps to the top.

The Royal Botanical Gardens (www.rbge.org.uk) are in Inverleith

Row, Edinburgh. Entry to the gardens is free, however a charge is to

be made from Easter 2005 for entry to the glasshouses. The Royal

Botanical Gardens are on the A902, 1 mile north of the City Centre,

with entrances at Inverleith Row [East Gate] and Arboretum Place

[West Gate]. There are regular buses from the city centre to the East

Gate [for example number 8 from St Andrews Square, and 23 or 27

from Hanover Street]. On-street parking is available at the West Gate.

The Gardens also feature on the Majestic city bus tour which departs

from Waverley Bridge. The nearest rail station is Waverley,

Edinburgh.

The Royal Yacht Britannia (www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk) is

berthed at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh's stylish new waterfront retail




and leisure development. The Visitor Centre and Britannia Gift Shop

are located on the second floor of Ocean Terminal.

By car: Follow the road signs to Leith/North Edinburgh and the brown

tourist signs for Britannia. Blue Car Park Level 5 at Ocean Terminal

is the closest to Britannia. Parking was free (March 2005) but this was

under review with Ocean Terminal Management.

By bus: Majestic Tour Buses (operated by Edinburgh Bus Tours

www.edinburghtour.com) depart regularly from Waverley Bridge in

the centre of Edinburgh. This tour will take visitors via the Modern

Art Galleries and the Royal Botanic Gardens before arriving at Ocean

Terminal. The bus fare does not include entry to Britannia. Lothian

buses (www.lothianbuses.co.uk) run frequent service buses to Ocean

Terminal (11, 22, 34, 35) from the city centre and visitors are

recommended to look out for the Britannia bus stops.

4. There are lots of opportunities to watch sport in Edinburgh, but

students will need to check the dates of matches, and give advice on

how to obtain tickets and the availability of tickets. Some examples of

sports watching opportunities are Scottish Rugby at Murrayfield

(there are also stadium tours, but these must be booked a couple of

days in advance), and soccer clubs Hearts (of Midlothian) and

Hibernian.



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