Borthwick Castle
Near Gorebridge, on minor road
north of A7.
Masssive 8-storey keep began in 1420. Still shows damage to parapet by
Cromwell's cannon. Now used as a hotel. (NT 370 597)
Photograph by Duncan Fenton |
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Cairnpapple Hill
Three miles north of Bathgate, near Torphichen off the A89, 65 NS 987 717 Tel: 01506 634622
One of the most important prehistoric monuments in Scotland, Cairnpapple was used as
a burial and ceromonial site from about 3000 to 1400 BC. Good views of east-central
Scotland may be had from the hill.
Open summer only
Photograph by Duncan Fenton |
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Castlelaw Hill Fort
On Castle Knowe, about one mile north west of Glencorse, 66 NT 229 638
An Iron Age hill fort with a souterrain built in one of the ditches. |
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Chesters Hill Fort
One miole south of Drem, 66 NT 507 782.
One of the best-preserved examples in Scotland of an Iron Age fort defended by an
elaborate system of ramparts and ditches. |
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Corstorphine Dovecot
In Dovecot Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh
A large circular 'beehive' dovecot in a good state of preservation with nesting boxes
complete. |
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Craigmillar Castle
2.5m SE of Edinburgh off the A68.
Tel: 0131 661 4445
Built round an L-plan tower house of the early 15th century, Craigmillar was much expanded
in the 15th and 16th centuries. It is a handsome ruin, including a range of private rooms
linked to the hall of the old tower. Mary Queen of Scots fled to Craigmillar after the
murder of Rizzio and it was here that the plot was hatched for the murder of her husband
Lord Darnley. This handsome structure with courtyard and gardens covers an area of one and
a quarter acres.
Winter: closed Thursday afternoons and Fridays. |
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Crichton Castle
2.5m SSW of Pathhead off the A68, 66 NT 380 611
Tel: 01875 320017
A large and sophisticated castle with a spectacular facade of faceted stonework in an
Italian style added, following a visit to Italy, by the Earl of Bothwell between 1581 and
1591. Mary Queen of Scots attended a wedding here.
Winter: closed |
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Dirleton Castle and Gardens
In Dirleton village 2m W of North Berwick on the A198.
Tel: 01620 850330.
A romantic castle often in the forefront of Scottish history since it was built in the
12th century. The renowned gardens, added in the 16th century, include an Arts and Crafts
herbaceous border and Victorian garden. |
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Doonhill Homestead
2 miles south of Dunbar, off the A1, 67 NT 686 755
The site of a wooden hall of a 6th century British chief, and of an Anglian chief's
hall which superseded it in the 7th century, revealed by aerial photography followed by
excavation in the 1960s. A rare record of the Anglian occupation of south-east Scotland. |
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Dunbar Castle
North of A1087 on harbour. Now
very ruined, this was once a very important castle, given its strategic
location. (NT 678 794)Photograph by Duncan Fenton |
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Dunglass Collegiate Church
One mile north west of Cockburnspath, 67 NT 766 718
Founded in 1450 for a college of canons by Sir Alexander Hume. A handsome
cross-shaped building with vaulted nave, choir and transepts, all with stone slab roofs. |
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Eagle Roack, Cramond
On the shore of the Forth about quarter of a mile west of Cramond, 66 NT 184 774
A much-defaced carving on natural rock, said to represent an eagle. |
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Edinburgh
Castle
In Edinburgh.
Tel: 0131 225 9846
This most famous of castles dominates Scotland's capital and gives stunning views of the
city and countryside. St Margaret's Chapel; the enormous 500-year-old siege cannon Mons
Meg; the Great Hall; the royal palace and the Scottish National War Memorial are here
together with the highly acclaimed "Honours of the Kingdom" exhibition which
traces the history of Scotland's Crown Jewels and culminates in a visit to the Crown Room.
The Vaults were where foreign prisoners-of-war were held, particularly those captured in
the wars with France in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the grafitti scrawled by the
prisoners can still be seen. Courtesy vehicle for disabled visitors (sponsored by the Bank
of Scotland). Restaurant offering self and table service.
Open seven days a week, April to September 9.30 am to 6.00 pm. October to March 9.30 am to
5.00 pm. Last ticket sold 45 minutes before closing. |
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Hailes Castle
One and a half miles south west of East Linton, 67 NT 574 757
A beautifully sited ruin incorporating a fortified manor of 13th century date,
extended in the 14th and 15th centuries. There are two vaulted pit-prisons.
Photograph by Duncan Fenton |
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Holyrood Abbey
At the foot of the Canongate, Edinburgh, in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The ruined nave of the 12th and 13th century abbey church, built for Augustinian
canons. Abbey and palace administered by the Lord Chamberlain.
There is no free entry for Friends of Historic Scotland at this site.
Thanks to Katie
Erickson for providing this picture.
See also:
Official Guide To the
Abbey-Church, Palace, and Environs of Holyroodhouse
With an Historical Sketch by the Right Hon. Sir Herbert Maxwell. Bart. F.R.S.,
LL.D.. President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (1908) (pdf) |
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Holyrood Park
In Edinburgh, immediately to the east of Holyrood Palace and
Abbey.
It has probably been a royal park since the Augustinian Abbey was founded in the
early 12th century, and was formally enclosed in 1541 during James V's reign. Within the
park is a wealth of archaeology, including the remains of four hill forts, other
settlements and round them a fascinating landscape of prehistoric and early-medieval
farming activity. |
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Lauderdale Aisle, St Mary's Church
In Haddington
The former sacristy of the great 15th century parish church, with splendid monument
of early-17th century date, in marble, with alabaster effigies.
Photographs by Duncan Fenton |
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Linlithgow Palace
In Linlithgow off the M9.
Tel: 01506 842896
The magnificent ruin of a great Royal Palace set in its own park and beside Linlithgow
Loch. Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. All the Stewart kings lived here from James I
(1406-37) and later it housed Cromwell, Bonnie Prince Charlie and, after Culloden, the
Duke of Cumberland. Mary of Guise declared of Linlithgow she had "never seen such a
princely palace". |
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Linlthgow
doo-cot
The Ross Doocot, Learmonth Gardens, Linlithgow was built in the16th century
by the Baron Ross of Halkhead, and can be seen opposite the Linlithgow Canal
Centre. It is a circular beehive doo-cot built of rubble and has 370 nesting
boxes. The doo-cot had £15,000 spent on it for repairs / restoration in
2010. Grid Ref NT00347701. Picture by Mark Bragg. |
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Ormiston Market Cross
In the village of Ormiston, two miles south of Tranent
Symbol of the right of the inhabitants to hold a market, this is a fine free standing
15th century cross on a modern base. |
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Preston Market Cross
Half a mile south of Prestonpans, 66 NT 391 740
The only surviving example of a market cross of its type on its original site. A
beautiful piece of early 17th century design, with a cylindrical base surmounted by a
cross-shaft headed by a unicorn.
Photographs by Duncan Fenton
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St Martin's Kirk, Haddington
On the eastern outskirts of Haddington.
The ruined nave of a Romanesque church, altered in the 13th century. |
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St Triduana's Chapel, Restarig
Collegiate Church
Off Restalrig Road South, on the east side of Edinburgh.
The lower part of a chapel built by James III, housing the shrine of St Triduana, a
Pictish saint. The Hexagonal vaulted chamber is unique. |
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Seton Collegiate Church
1m SE of Cockenzie off the A198, 66 NT 418 751
Tel: 01875 813334
The chancel and apse of this lovely building are 15th-century. The transepts and steeple
were added by the widow of the Lord Seton who was killed at Flodden in 1513.
Winter: closed Tuesday afternoons and Wednesdays. |
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Tantallon Castle
3m E of North Berwick off the A198 67 NT 595 850
Tel: 01620 892727
Set on the edge of the cliffs, looking out to the Bass Rock, this formidable castle was a
stronghold of the Douglas family. It features earthwork defences and a massive 50ft-high
14th-century curtain wall with towers. Display includes replica guns.
Winter: open weekends only. |
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Torphichen Preceptory
In Torphichen village
The tower and transepts of a church built by the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of
St John of Jerusalem in the 13th century, much altered.
Open summer on Saturdays (11.00am to 5:00pm) and on Sundays and bank holidays (2.00pm to
5.00pm)Photographs by Duncan Fenton |
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Redhouse Castle
1 mile south of Aberlady, south of B1377 NT 463770
16th C courtyard castle
Photographs by Duncan Fenton |
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