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
	Facebook information can be found here

Listed Under Attractions - History and Culture / Attractions - Days Out

In light of updated Scottish Government advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have taken the decision to close public access to our staffed properties and offices until further notice. All planned public events will also be postponed until further notice – full details of these can be found on our Events page in the coming days: historicenvironment.scot/whats-on.

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

We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Dirleton Castle are accurate, if any of the above information is incorrect we would appreciate if you could take a minute to suggest an edit.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our What's On Edinburgh Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group or Instagram accounts and you're all set!

Upcoming Events at Dirleton Castle

Sorry, but we have no upcoming events for Dirleton Castle. If you know of an event taking place at Dirleton Castle or anywhere else in Edinburgh tell us about it and we'll list it on the website, for free!

More History and Culture in Edinburgh

History and Culture

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.

History and Culture

Nelson Monument

32 Calton Hill, Edinburgh New Town EH7 5AA

Nelson Monument is situated on top of Calton Hill, and provides a dramatic termination to the view along Princes Street from the west.

History and Culture

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh South EH16 4SY

Step inside Edinburgh's other castle, once a rural retreat from Scotland's capital!

History and Culture

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.

History and Culture

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, resulting in a superb Renaissance residence.

History and Culture

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 National Museum of Scotland.

History and Culture

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 Royal Family for over 40 years.

History and Culture

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 1620.

History and Culture