Dirleton Castle

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

About Dirleton Castle

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

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. We take every opportunity to ensure the details for Dirleton Castle are accurate, please contact us at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk if any of the above information is incorrect.

Upcoming Events at Dirleton Castle

More History and Culture in Edinburgh

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

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!
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

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

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

Newhailes House and Gardens

Newhailes House and Gardens Newhailes Road , Musselburgh EH21 6RY

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

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.
Read more

The Real Mary Kings Close

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

Edinburgh's deepest secret, the Real Mary King’s Close is buried deep beneath the Royal Mile... a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century!
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

All History and Culture listings in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Venues