Craigmillar Castle

City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Find out more

Craigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress three miles southeast of Edinburgh's city centre, built by the Preston family beginning in the late 14th century with construction continuing through the 15th and 16th centuries. One of Scotland's best-preserved medieval castles, it centres on a tower house keep surrounded by a 15th-century courtyard wall with notably fine defensive features, within which stand additional ranges enclosed by an outer courtyard wall containing a chapel and dovecote. The castle gained historical prominence when Mary, Queen of Scots arrived in November 1566 to recover from illness following her son's birth; during her stay, the "Craigmillar Bond"—a pact to eliminate her husband, Lord Darnley—was formed before her departure in December. After Sir John Gilmour, Lord President of the Court of Session, purchased the castle in 1660 and revived it, the Gilmours abandoned it in the 18th century for the nearby Inch House, allowing it to decline into ruin. Now a scheduled monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, it is open to the public.

Built: 1300
Type: castle
Heritage: scheduled monument
Place: City of Edinburgh, United Kingdom

This building on

Architecturally similar

Location

55.92570, -3.14089