12 ways you can gain free entry into Edinburgh Castle

Dramatically situated atop the ancient basalt plug of an extinct volcano, historic Edinburgh Castle - Scotland's most popular paid-for attraction - dominates the capital's skyline.

Advancing armies have tried and failed on numerous occasions throughout history to breach its near-impregnable defences, so what chance does the average punter have, you may ask? Well, as it turns out, there are at least a dozen ways to gain free entry into Edinburgh Castle - and not one of them requires a siege engine or a battalion of angry musketmen..