Excellent Easter Visitor Figures at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles

16 April 2009

Edinburgh and Stirling castles enjoyed an excellent Easter as families flocked to enjoy the best of Scotland’s heritage.

Despite the difficulties in the tourism sector Edinburgh Castle’s numbers reached 24,278 more than 4,000 up on 2008.

At Stirling Castle the figures were up by nearly 900 compared to 2008 and compared well against all the previous five years.

Kari Coghill, Historic Scotland acting head of visitor services and business development, said: “We had a superb Easter with lots of families taking advantage of the good weather to enjoy a visit to Edinburgh and Stirling castles.

“Our Renaissance Easter activities at the castles were also highly popular.

“Despite the recession it all added up to a great start for the new season.”

This year’s figures are also likely to have benefited because Easter was in April rather than March.

Edinburgh Castle visitor numbers for Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive:

2009 – 24,278
2008 – 19,905
2007 – 22,326
2006 – 20,709
2005 – 19,765
2004 – 24,091

Stirling Castle visitor numbers for Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive:

2009 –   9,215
2008 –   8,321
2007 –   8,757
2006 – 10,737
2005 –   8,731
2004 – 10,577

Notes for editors

• Admission prices are as follows: Edinburgh Castle - adult £12, child £6, concessions £10 (Online ticket purchasing: www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk ); Stirling Castle - adult £9, child £4.50, concessions £7.

• Historic Scotland is delighted to be supporting the 2009 Year of Homecoming with a series of initiatives including family trails, spectacular events and the creation of a Homecoming Pass for heritage attractions in association with other heritage organisations.