10+ Best Castles in Edinburgh (and nearby), Scotland

Last Updated on 22nd August 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Best known for its bagpipes, whisky, stunning landscapes, and rich history, no trip to Scotland would be complete without a visit to at least one of its many castles. After all, you’re pretty spoilt for choice… Here’s a guide to the best castles in Edinburgh and nearby!

Though when people consider Edinburgh castles they tend to just think that the Scottish capital has just one, the city is, in fact, home to several such structures, many of which can be visited by the public. While some fortifications and palaces are to be found within the city limits of Edinburgh themselves, others can be found just a short day trip away.

Edinburgh Castle

Type of Castle: Intact – Site occupied since the late Bronze Age

Edinburgh Castle is the most famous of all the castles in Edinburgh. As a result, it has since become a symbol for the entire city in its own right and no trip to the city would be complete without glancing up at the castle at least once or twice during your visit.

Perched at the summit of a rocky outcrop aptly named ‘Castle Rock’, the entire site lies on the remains of volcanic plug (much like nearby Arthur’s Seat). Inhabited since at least the late Bronze Age, a castle or fortress has inhabited the site at any given point for the past three thousand years.

Today the castle is full of museums and exhibitions; both about the history of the castle itself, as well as its surrounding landscape. Little of the medieval fortress remains, though the castle is still worth a visit.

If you want to avoid the crowds that inevitably flock to the site, then make sure to visit in the early morning. Another top tip for visiting Edinburgh castle that I can’t recommend highly enough would be to book your tickets in advance so as to avoid queuing and wasting your precious exploration time. Check here to book your Edinburgh Castle tickets in advance.

Tantallon Castle

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th-Century

Located opposite Bass Rock and overlooking the Firth of Forth, these enchanting castle ruins were pretty much the last of the great castles to be built in Scotland. A mighty fortress of the 14th century, the castle was left abandoned after Oliver Cromwell and his army attacked Scotland and left much devastation. 

Critchton Castle

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th-Century

Situated to the South-East of Edinburgh at the head of the River Tyne, Critchton Castle is the well-preserved ruins of a former castle that was built in the late 14th century and served as a noble residence for the Crichton Clan.

Today all that remains of the castle are the ruins which are taken care of and preserved by Historic Environment Scotland.

Rosslyn Castle

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th-Century

Of all the day trips from Edinburgh, one of the easiest, not to mention the most famous, is that of a visit to the famous Rosslyn Chapel.

The crumbling ruins are all that remain of a once great castle. A few walls here and there mark the spot where there was once a grand palatial sized castle. Just a brief ten-minute walk from Rosslyn Chapel, you’ll find high walls perched atop of a steep hill.

Few of even those who love nearby Rosslyn Chapel know of the castle’s existence. However, perhaps they should. Though little of the original structure remains, its history is rich and varied, dating back all the way to the 14th-Century.

The Castle survived various fires over the century until it was ultimately destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s troops in the 17th-century. Today you can visit what is left of the castle for free, just a short walk into Roslin Glen.

Preston Tower

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th Century

Though a little smaller than the castles of Scotland, Preston Tower is a ruined four-story L-plan keep in the Scottish village of Prestonpans. The tower was built between 1392 and 1399, when the warfare between England and Scotland was at its worst. It was owned by the Baker Cresswell family, and it was once used to help keep order in the border of the country.

The tower was bought by the National Trust for Scotland in 1969, and it is currently under guardianship and preserved by the East Lothian Council. Today, visitors can explore the remains of the ground floor and where the former guard room and prison would have been. There’s also a plaque where you can learn a little more about the history of the border and its tumultuous past.

Craigmillar Castle

Type of Castle: Ruins -dating back to the 14th Century

Often cited as being Edinburgh’s ‘other’ Castle, Craigmillar Castle is situated around a twenty-minute bus ride from the city center. Less crowded than the city center, it’s a little off the beaten path and perhaps a little less touristic than its more famous counterpart, Edinburgh Castle. However, if you only have time to see one castle interior while you’re in Edinburgh, make it Craigmillar Castle!

Situated around 3 miles from the outskirts of the city, Craigmillar Castle was once described as being a ‘league’ away from Edinburgh (a league being the distance one could walk in the space of an hour).

The castle is one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval castle in Scotland. A keep is surrounded by 15th Century defensive walls and extensive restoration works by the Victorians mean that many of the ceilings are now intact.

Once home to the prestigious Preston family, on order of the King, the castle was constructed in the 14th-centuries, and various parts were added throughout the following two Centuries. The history of the castle is fascinating, and no doubt holds many more secrets than it has already given up.

Today much of the castle sadly lies in ruin. That being said, the entire castle isn’t in ruin, meaning that it’s one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the country, and its walls once welcomed Mary, Queen of Scots.

Blackness Castle

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 15th Century

Nicknamed ‘the ship that never sailed’ due to its stone ship-like appearance and the way it juts out into the water, Blackness Castle was built along the harbour at Blackness Bay, an inlet of the Firth of Forth, Scotland.

This medieval 15th-century garrison fortress served as a stronghold built for war. By 1650, when Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army invaded Scotland, the garrison surrendered and the castle was left badly damaged and completely abandoned.

After the union of Scotland and England, Blackness Castle ceased to be used as a prison. However, between 1759 and 1815 Blackness again served as a prison, this time holding French prisoners of war during the conflicts of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including the Napoleonic Wars.

Today, visitors can the fortress, though repairs and restoration work was done in the late 19th century, so not all of the medieval-style features fully reflect the original building of the castle.

Holyroodhouse Palace

Type of Castle: Intact – dating back to the 16th and 17th Centuries

The official residence of the royal family in Scotland, Holyrood House sits at the very end of the Royal Mile; on the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle. Parts of the façade of the palace, as well as the ruins of the abbey sitting next to it, date all the way back to the 16th-Century.

Queen Elizabeth spends a week in the palace each summer, performing royal duties among other things. The Palace is open throughout the year (apart from when the Queen is staying). If you don’t really mind about seeing the interior, preferring to instead admire the ruins of the abbey and grand façade of the building, then you can get a great view of Holyroodhouse Palace from nearby Holyrood Park.

Linlithgow Palace

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th Century

Situated just a short train ride away from Edinburgh city centre, Linlithgow Palace is a great day trip from the city for all ages. The crumbling remains are all that is left of a once majestic palace that served as the principal residence of the monarchs of Scotland. Indeed, Mary Queen of Scots was born here! Linlithgow means ‘the loch in the damp hollow’ and the palace took its name from the fact it was built upon a low hill above a small inland loch. 

Lauriston Castle

Type of Castle: Intact – dating back to the 16th-Century with 18th-Century additions

This pretty castle is one of the easiest quick day trips from central Edinburgh. A castle has stood on the site since as early as the 15th-century, though nothing remains of the original building today. During the 16th-Century, a tower house was built here and served as a family home throughout the following Centuries.

From the late 18th-Century onwards, the Guard House was dramatically extended. The building was expanded and its façade was given a complete makeover in the Jacobean Style. The castle and grounds were gifted to the city in 1926 and are open at various times for public tours.

What’s more is that the gardens are free to visit, making them one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh. A trip to Lauriston Castle can easily be combined with a visit to the nearby Cramond Island. After all, they lie along the same bus route!

There’s a Japanese Garden, an Italian Garden, a number of ornamental ponds and a greenhouse. The 1920s castle itself is available to visit once per day on a paid guided tour. With aging furniture and lavish decorations, stepping into this castle is a step back in time… Right back into the year of 1926.

Today, the pretty castle is set within a public park (that is completely free to visit) and offers views over the surrounding bay. You can visit the castle through a guided tour only at certain times of the day.

If you want a quiet day out, then I highly recommend combining a visit to the castle, with a trip to the nearby shoreline. From the castle grounds, it’s even possible to see the Tidal Island of Cramond; somewhere that can be visited at the same time as the castle.

Borthwick Castle

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th Century

Not all the castles in Edinburgh and its surrounds are museums or private property. In fact, Borthwick Castle can be found not far from Critchton Castle and is now run as a hotel where you can book to stay!

Dalhousie Castle

Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th Century

Yet another castle-turned-hotel is that of Dalhousie Castle, which is situated near the town of Bonnyrigg, south of Edinburgh. Dalhousie Castle has seen many notable faces over its time, with the likes of King Edwards I, Sir William Wallace and Sir Alexander Ramsay all having visited there or stayed at one point in history.

Today this luxurious hotel offers you a visit to “live like a king!” and stay in the rooms which hold a rich history and past.

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