Lauriston Castle
About Lauriston Castle
| 2 Cramond Road South, Edinburgh West EH4 6AD | |
| 01313362060 | |
| Lauriston Castle Website | |
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Listed Under Attractions - Museums Attractions - Gardens and Parks Attractions - History and Culture
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 and the collections it contains is one of Scotland’s greatest gifts. Collections include, Italian Furniture, Sheffield Plate, Crossley Wool Mosaics and Blue John ornaments. The interiors of the house are the work of Mrs Reid's husband, Mr W R Reid, the owner of Morison & Co., a leading Edinburgh cabinet making business.
The beautiful grounds were laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s. Much of the planting dates to this period. The award-winning Japanese Friendship garden, gifted by the prefecture of Kyoto, is a tranquil place to contemplate.
April through October: 2pm every day except Friday.
November through March: 2pm Saturday and Sunday only.
Upcoming Events at Lauriston Castle
Shakespeare at the Castle: Hamlet
15th July 2018
The Three Inch Fools are back on 15th July at Lauriston Castle with an inventive take on Shakespeare’s most infamous and iconic play, Hamlet.
Owls of the Night Forest
16th July 2018
Make your own individual owl, using bright coloured felt to create these beautiful birds in this workshop with Erik Petrie at Lauriston Castle.
George Forrest: A Scots Plant Collector in China
19th July 2018
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh archivist Leonie Paterson will talk about Falkirk born George Forrest using his words and pictures in this lecture at Lauriston Castle on 19th July.
Cyanotypes
21st July 2018
Cyanotype is one of the earliest forms of photography and this hands-on cyanotype workshop will introduce you to making these exquisite Prussian blue and white images.
Edwardian Ghost Stories
28th July 2018
Listen as storyteller and tour guide Alex Staniforth reads select MR James tales at Lauriston Castle on 28th July.
The Victorian Séance
28th July 2018
Don't miss this once in a lifetime chance to attend a paranormal evening and Victorian Séance at Lauriston Castle on Satuday 28th July!
Creepy Crawly Bug Hunt
29th July 2018
Hunt the grounds of Lauriston for creepy crawlies in their natural habitat, then make a giant version of your favourite bug at Lauriston Castle on 29th July.
Clover Fields and Woodland Glades
5th August 2018
Make a variety of tiny pictures using beautiful paper pulps in this 2-part workshop at Lauriston Castle.
MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room
7th August 2018
What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!
The Masons’ Marks Project
13th August 2018
Archaeologist Moira Greig is the originator and leader of the Mason's Mark Project which to date has recorded marks on 75 buildings in Scotland. Come along to this lecture and hear all about her work.
MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room
14th August 2018
What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!
Renaissance and Early Modern Silver from the Scottish Collections at the National Museums Scotland
15th August 2018
An insight into the National Museums Scotland preeminent collection of historic Scottish silver discussing key objects and those with a distinctly Scottish identity with Lyndsay McGill.
The Siege of Ladysmith: Nightmare in Natal
16th August 2018
Historian David Clarke gives this lecture on The Siege of Ladysmith: Nightmare in Natal at Lauriston Castle on 16th August.
At Lauriston Castle with The Edinburgh Sketcher
17th August 2018
Learn speed sketching skills in the grounds of Lauriston Castle with the famous Edinburgh Sketcher!
Life Drawing
18th August 2018
Develop your understanding of anatomical drawing with an expressive finish in this workshop with artist Erik Petrie at Lauriston Castle.
MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room
21st August 2018
What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!
Corstorphine Transport Through the Ages
21st August 2018
Come along to Lauriston Castle on 21st August and hear all about Corstorphine transport through the ages from Ian Anderson, Chairman of Corstorphine Trust.
Leafy Laminated Jewellery
25th August 2018
Get your hands on the good stuff collaging 24ct gold and silver leaf foils in this fun workshop at Lauriston Castle in which you'll create pendants, brooches and earrings.
My Jute Journey
31st August 2018
Sandra Thomson has long links with the Scottish jute industry. In this lecture she will treat you to some stories around this and also tell about her adventures to India and Bangladesh.
Painting from Nature
1st September 2018
Develop you painting skills in this workshop with artist Erik Petrie on 1st September at Lauriston Castle.
Sub-Roman Glasgow
3rd September 2018
At the centre of early mediaeval Glasgow may lie a Roman settlement possibly known as Cathures. Explore all the evidence in this compelling lecture at Lauriston Castle.
The Davidsons of Davidson’s Mains
7th September 2018
Come and listen to a lecture on the Davidson family who were owners of the Muirhouse mansion and estate from 1776 until 1918.
Stitched Open Spine Book
8th September 2018
Join artist Joanne Baker and make a beautiful stitched open spine book in this workshop at Lauriston Castle!
WW1 at Lauriston Castle
8th September 2018
Learn about history in a very fun and interactive way at these WW1 re-enactments in the grounds and Castle.
One Hundred and Sixty Copperplates: Andrew Bell’s Illustrations for the first edition (1771) of the Encyclopaedia Britannica
13th September 2018
Ann Gunn examines the plates for the Encyclopaedia, the sources Andrew Bell used, and the importance he accorded the illustrations as an integral part of the publication.
Ahoy Me Hearties!
15th September 2018
Join Mike Durnan on a pirate treasure hunt then make your very own mini pirate’s treasure chest at Lauriston Castle on 15th September!
The 11th and 12th Dukes of Hamilton and Hamilton Palace: Completion and Desertion
19th September 2018
This richly illustrated talk explores the important acquisitions of the 11th Duke of Hamilton and 12th Duke’s enormous debts which spelled the end of Hamilton Palace.
Mr Barton’s Theatricals
23rd September 2018
Join the Reid family and selected staff for a short play about John Law, convicted murderer, rogue, founder of the first national bank in France and one-time owner of Lauriston Hall!
The Hidden Lives of Early Scottish Children’s Books
24th September 2018
Discover a rich forgotten heritage of chapbooks, fairy tales, fables, and more, as well as stories about the little readers who once held them in their hands.
Sick Picts from the May Island Monastery: Disease and Healthcare in Early Medieval Scotland.
3rd October 2018
Join us at Lauriston Castle for a lecture on the lives and deaths of individuals during the early medieval period on the Isle of May!
Sorley Maclean, Gaelic and Edinburgh
4th October 2018
Hear from Dr Peter Mackay in this lecture about Sorley Maclean, the greatest Gaelic poet of the twentieth century, and his deep relationship with Edinburgh.
Discovering Georgian Lauriston: The House and its Neighbours West of Edinburgh.
6th October 2018
Dr Anthony Lewis, curator of Scottish History for Glasgow Museums, gives this lecture on Georgian Lauriston.
Picnic and Play with Licketyspit
13th October 2018
Join Licketyspit at Lauriston Castle for a family picnic lunch followed by their wonderful intergenerational drama-led play!
Autumn Wreaths
14th October 2018
Join Margaret Findlay in this workshop at Lauriston Castle on 14th October and make a gorgeous seasonal autumnal wreath.
The Life and Times of HMS Unicorn
16th October 2018
Dr Billy Rough, HMS Unicorn's Learning and Engagement Officer, gives this lecture on one of the oldest ships in the world still afloat.
Halloween Wand Making Workshop
18th October 2018
Join us at Lauriston Castle in a magical crafting class just in time for Halloween and create your own unique magic wand!
Halloween Magic School - with Edinburgh International Magic Festival
20th October 2018
Learn, create and perform your own magic at a spooky, magic workshop this Halloween at Lauriston Castle!
Decorative Scrap Paper Tree
21st October 2018
Decorate your home with a beautiful paper tree in this workshop at Lauriston Castle with Erik Petrie.
Landing in Paradise: The Vikings in Scotland
24th October 2018
Archaeological consultant Olwyn Owen will explore what happened when the Vikings came to Scotland and also the rich cultural legacy they left behind.
The Twilight Seance
26th October 2018
Join paranormal illusionist Ash Pryce as he leads you into the netherworld at Lauriston Castle on 26th October.
Edinburgh Ghost Stories
26th October 2018
Listen as Actor and writer Alex Staniforth unveils the phantoms of this ancient city at Lauriston Castle on 26th October.
Out of the Leftfield
27th October 2018
Comedian Oliver Giggins presents this solo sketch show which has all evil creatures laughing maniacally out of context!
The Haunted Hunt
27th October 2018 - 28th October 2018
Take part in a Hallowe’en Interactive Adventure at Lauriston Castle for ages 8+. Part of Edinburgh Horror Festival.
The Spooky Castle
28th October 2018
Spend a morning exploring the spooktacular Lauriston Castle and dabble in 4 terrifying family activity activities this Halloween.
Puppet Workshop Theatre
4th November 2018
Make your very own hand and finger puppet then use them to perform a puppet show in our traditional Miniature puppet theatre.
Hunting, Shooting and Fishing: The Architecture of Highland Holidays
6th November 2018
Listen to a lecture on Hunting, Shooting and Fishing: The Architecture of Highland Holidays by architectural historian Simon Green.
A Reunion with Death
9th November 2018 - 10th November 2018
Join us at Lauriston Castle for 'A Reunion with Death', the latest in Edinburgh Living History’s annual murder mysteries!
Edwin G. Lucas: An Individual Eye
14th November 2018
To coincide with a major new exhibition at the City Art Centre, this lecture traces the story of Edwin G. Lucas’ life and career.
Sparkling Snowmen
18th November 2018
Learn to make your snowman from scratch and decorate him with a brightly coloured scarf and glossy buttons in this popular workshop.
Meet Me at Maules
19th November 2018
In this lecture Kathryn Henderson will give an overview of historical shops in Edinburgh, and unfold some of the stories around them.
The Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh
21st November 2018
In this fascinating lecture on 21st November, Gordon Wyllie will explore the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh
Scottish Samplers: Hidden Histories
27th November 2018
This talk will be based around the exhibition Samplers: Embroidered Stories (National Museums Scotland, 26 Oct 2018-7 April 2019) which showcases a unique collection of Scottish samplers.
Enchanted Christmas Pictures
1st December 2018
Create a Christmas themed 3-dimensional framed picture that will light up like an enchanted magical forest in this workshop with Mike Durnan.
Celebrating the Peace, Christmas 1918
2nd December 2018
It's Christmas 1918, join the family and staff of Lauriston as they reflect on what has been but look forward with some optimism to what is to come.
A Perfect Paper-craft Edwardian Christmas
3rd December 2018
Using beautiful papers and simple techniques create beautiful paper Christmas decorations in this workshop with artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb.
Magical Christmas Scenes
5th December 2018
Join artist Tessa Asquith-Lamb to explore seasonal landscapes and the creatures who live in them and make a series of wintry artworks to give as gifts or keep to adorn your own walls.
A Family Christmas at Lauriston
9th December 2018
Get back to traditional values as a family and spend a very special morning with us at Lauriston Castle this Christmas.
Birch Star Wreaths and Scandinavian Garlands
14th December 2018
Make an exquisite natural wreath and also a variety of different felt and Scandinavian inspired decorations for your home this Christmas.
Fresh Green Wreaths
15th December 2018
Make a stunning green wreath to take pride of place on your street in this workshop at Lauriston Castle with Margaret Findlay!
Magical Wreaths
16th December 2018
Make a spectacular wreath for your home in this magical wreaths workshop at Lauriston Castle with Margaret Findlay!
Atmosphere | Scrooge
19th December 2018
Come and experience our wonderfully atmospheric film screening of Scrooge against the backdrop of elegant Lauriston Castle!
Magic Show: Christmas Tricks
22nd December 2018
Enjoy a sprinkling of actual magic in the run up to Christmas at Lauriston Castle with a festive show will be sure to bring a smile to your face!
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