Dirleton Castle

Dirleton Castle hase some of the oldest castle architecture surviving in Scotland – the de Vaux towers, built around 1240.

About Dirleton Castle

	Dirleton Castle , Dirleton EH39 5ER
	01620850330
	Dirleton Castle Website

Listed Under Attractions - History and Culture Attractions - Days Out

This magnificent fortress–residence served three successive noble families over 400 years. Badly damaged in Cromwell’s 1650 siege, Dirleton’s fortunes were revived by its new owners in the 1660s.

The Nisbet family built a new mansion house nearby to live in and made the picturesque castle ruins the central feature in their new designed landscape. They also breathed new life into the splendid gardens, now home to the world’s longest herbaceous border.

What to see and do

Admire some of the oldest castle architecture surviving in Scotland – the de Vaux towers, built around 1240

See the grim pit prison, pretty chapel and cavernous storage vaults in the Haliburton range

Lose yourself in the enchanting gardens dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s, which vie with the castle for attention

Seek out the dovecot – one of Scotland’s best-preserved pigeon houses, with more than 1,000 nesting boxes

Upcoming Events at Dirleton Castle

Man at Arms

1st December 2019

Come along to Dirleton Castle for one of Historic Scotland's special 'Man at Arms' talks, which tell tales of siege warfare and castle life, with a selection of medieval weapons on show!

More History and Culture in Edinburgh

Auld Toun Walking Tours

Auld Toun Walking Tours , Edinburgh Old Town

Discover the people behind Edinburgh’s stories with walking tours of Edinburgh’s UNESCO Heritage Listed Old Town.
Read more

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle , Blackness EH49 7NH

Blackness Castle stands by the Firth of Forth, at the port that served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times.
Read more

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh South EH16 4SY

Craigmillar is one of Scotland’s most perfectly preserved castles. It began as a simple tower-house residence. Gradually, over time, it developed into...
Read more

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery

NA High Street, Dunbar EH42 1ER

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery: the Town House has been the focus of town life since the 16th century.
Read more

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great rock. Its story has helped shape the nation's story.Battles and sieges were fought over...
Read more

Gladstones Land

477b Lawnmarket, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NT

The house of wealthy merchant and landlord Thomas Gledstanes showcases high-rise living, 17th-century style, at the beating heart of Edinburgh's historic...
Read more

Greater Grassmarket

Greater Grassmarket Business Improvement District 39 Grassmarket, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2HS

Steeped in some of Edinburgh’s greatest history, Greater Grassmarket is only a minutes' walk from the popular Royal Mile and visitor favourite, the...
Read more

Greyfriars Kirk

1 Greyfriars, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2QQ

Welcome to Greyfriars Kirk, a worshipping congregation of the Church of Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town where a church has stood since...
Read more

Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House Hopetoun, South Queensferry EH30 9SL

Hopetoun is a place of outstanding natural beauty, which has Scotland\'s finest stately home at its heart. Situated on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Hopetoun...
Read more

House of the Binns

House Of The Binns Binns View, Linlithgow EH49 7NA

Set in beautifully landscaped parkland overlooking the River Forth, this fascinating laird’s house near Linlithgow has been the home of the Dalyells for over 400 years.
Read more

John Gray Centre

15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX

The John Gray Centre brings together East Lothian Council’s Archaeology, Museum, Archive and Local History Services, alongside Haddington’s branch library.
Read more

John Knox House

43 - 45 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SR

Walk in the footsteps of its famous inhabitants and hear the drama unfold in every room. Look out for the tricks and traps to fool intruders; hunt for...
Read more

Lauriston Castle

2 Cramond Road South, Edinburgh West EH4 6AD

When you step inside Lauriston Castle, you see it just as it was in 1926, when it was left to the nation by the last private owner, Mrs Reid.The Castle...
Read more

Linlithgow Museum

Linlithgow Partnership Centre 93 High Street , Linlithgow EH49 7EZ

A free museum, perfect for locals and visitors alike. Find out about our Royal connections, the trades of the town, the ordinary - and extra-ordinary! - people.
Read more

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace Kirkgate, Linlithgow EH49 7AL

Explore the magnificent ruins of the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Linlithgow Palace was built and added to over two centuries by the Stewart kings...
Read more

Military Museum Scotland

Legion Hall Louis Braille Avenue, Wilkieston , Kirknewton EH27 8EJ

Come and learn about the Scottish involvement in the British military from WW1 to the present day at the Military Museum Scotland!
Read more

Museum of Childhood Edinburgh

42 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1TG

The Museum of Childhood has a place in the hearts of millions. The first museum in the world dedicated to the history of childhood, it displays toys and...
Read more

National Museum of Flight Scotland

National Museum of Flight Scotland East Fortune Airfield, EH39 5LF

Head off on a journey of discovery at this former airfield as you explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day. Climb on...
Read more

National Museum of Scotland

National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1JF

Explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all under one roof at the National...
Read more

National War Museum

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

The National War Museum is housed in Edinburgh, and forms part of National Museums Scotland. It is located within Edinburgh Castle, and admission is included...
Read more

Nelson Monument

32 Calton Hill, Edinburgh New Town EH7 5AA

The Nelson Monument was built in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Weather permitting, the Trafalgar flag signal...
Read more

Newhailes House and Gardens

NA Newhailes Road EH21 6RY , Musselburgh EH21 6RY

Discover 300 years of Scottish history through this magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa.
Read more

Patrick Geddes Centre at Riddles Court

Riddle's Court 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2PG

Inspired by Geddes' educational philosophy, the Patrick Geddes Centre fosters learning for all through 'Hand, Heart and Head', learning by 'doing'.
Read more

Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot

Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot Preston Road, East Linton EH40 3DS

Preston Mill is an architectural oddity that will beguile visitors as much as it delights painters and photographers.
Read more

Prestongrange Museum

NA Morrisons Haven, Prestonpans EH32 9RX

Prestongrange is a free open- air museum, that tells 700 years of industrial heritage history. Family friendly, with lots to see and do!
Read more

Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens Princes Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH2 2HG

Princes Street Gardens lies at centre of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, within New Town and Old Town Outstanding Conservation Areas. It is listed in...
Read more

Rosslyn Chapel

NA Chapel Loan, Roslin EH25 9PU

Owned by The Earl and Countess of RosslynRosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 as a place of worship and services continue to be held here weekly. The Chapel...
Read more

Scott Monument

Scott Monument East Princes Street Gardens , Edinburgh Old Town EH2 2EJ

The Scott Monument is the largest monument to a writer in the world. It commemorates Sir Walter Scott.There are 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument...
Read more

Surgeons Hall Museums

Surgeons Hall Museums Nicolson Street, Edinburgh South EH8 9DW

Surgeons' Hall Museums is home to one of the largest and most historic collections of surgical pathology in the World, open to the public since 1832.
Read more

The Cadies & Witchery Tours

84 West Bow, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2HH

The award-winning Cadies & Witchery Tours invite you to join our fearless phantoms for a suspenseful and mirth-filled tour of Edinburgh's Old Town. Step...
Read more

The Edinburgh Dungeon

31 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF

The Edinburgh Dungeon is an 80 minute journey through 1000 years of Scotland's horrible history. Tours leave around 10 minutes apart and guided by a full...
Read more

The Georgian House

7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh New Town EH2 4DR

The north side of Charlotte Square is Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture. The Georgian House, with its elegant furnished interior, is located...
Read more

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh East EH8 8DX

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.Located at the bottom...
Read more

The Peoples Story Museum

163 Canongate , Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BN

The People’s Story explores the lives of Edinburgh’s ordinary people. From work to home, healthcare to social activities, people of the past are brough...
Read more

The Real Mary Kings Close

2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1PG

The Real Mary King’s Close is buried deep beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The city’s deepest secret; a warren of hidden streets that has remained...
Read more

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia Ocean Drive, Leith EH6 6JJ

Rated Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction for 12 years by national tourism agency VisitScotland, Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the...
Read more

The Tron Kirk

122 High Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1SG

The Tron Kirk, or Christ’s Kirk at the Tron, has stood in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town for almost 400 years.
Read more

Traquair House

Traquair House , Innerleithen EH44 6PW

Traquair is a unique piece of living history welcoming visitors from all over the world. Enjoy the house, extensive grounds, maze, craft workshops, Garden Cafe and the famous Brewery!
Read more

Trinity House

99 Kirkgate, Leith EH6 6BJ

Trinity House was once the base of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters and this elegant Georgian house now holds an outstanding collection of maritime treasures.
Read more