Edinburgh Castle enjoys record-breaking summer

Edinburgh Castle welcomed more visitors than ever before during the summer. Picture: TSPL

Historic Scotland said 767,566 people looked around the attraction between June and September, a 3 per cent rise on last year.

Several of the organisation’s other attractions also enjoyed record-breaking visitor numbers over the summer period.

Sites in Orkney performed well, with Skara Brae, Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces all recording rises of 11 per cent on last year.

Stirling Castle - the former home of Mary, Queen of Scots - welcomed 256,035 visitors, a 3 per cent rise on its previous record from 2011, while Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness attracted 220,025 visitors - a 1 per cent rise on its previous summer record in 2011.

In total, 2,141,082 people visited a Historic Scotland site between June and September 2014, a 4 per cent increase on the previous record from 2013.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “These are fantastic figures which showcase the continued appeal of Scotland’s historic attractions to visitors from both home and abroad.

“2014 was a memorable summer for Scotland - with an influx of visitors to events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup as well as a whole host of Homecoming related events taking place up and down the country.

“Our heritage sites played a key role within this and continue to be a constant and hugely important asset at the heart of our tourism and cultural make-up.”

Historic Scotland welcomed the figures.

Stephen Duncan, the organisation’s director of commercial and tourism, said: “It has been a very strong summer season for visitors to our sites.

“Whilst the majority of the growth in visitor numbers has been experienced at our three biggest sites - Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle - it is fantastic to see that growth emulated across many parts of the estate.

“In terms of trends, we have continued to build upon last year’s strong travel trade business; meanwhile we have also experienced an increase in visitors from the rest of the UK, particularly England, as well as French and German visitors.

“We are also seeing a strong return from products which allow visitors the opportunity to visit multiple sites such as our explorer passes, which have grown 16 per cent year on year, whilst our extensive events programme continues to bring history to life.”