Dirleton Castle

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

About Dirleton Castle

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

Covenanters Besieged

22nd June 2019 - 23rd June 2019

In 1650 Dirleton Castle was besieged and badly damaged by 1,600 Cromwellian troops. Walk through the working living history camp, handle weapons and watch as the soldiers perform a pike drill!

Man at Arms

3rd July 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!

Man at Arms

6th July 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!

Man at Arms

10th July 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!

Man at Arms

13th July 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!

Man at Arms

17th July 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!

Man at Arms

24th July 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!

Man at Arms

27th July 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!

Man at Arms

31st July 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!

Man at Arms

7th August 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!

Man at Arms

10th August 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!

Man at Arms

14th August 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!

Man at Arms

17th August 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!

Man at Arms

21st August 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!

Man at Arms

24th August 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!

Man at Arms

28th August 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!

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