Last Updated on 5th February 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
Best known for its bagpipes, whiskey, 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 as a member of 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.
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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 an extinct volcano (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 pertaining to 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.
Critchton Castle
Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th-Century
Situated to the South-East of Edinburgh, Critchton Castle is the well-preserved ruins of a former castle.
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 most famous, is that of
Preston Tower
Type of Castle: Ruins – dating back to the 14th-Century
Though a little smaller than some of the other castles of Edinburgh,
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 14th-Century
Nicknamed
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.
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
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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.
Tessa
Friday 11th of August 2017
I'll be visiting Scotland later this month and hopefully i'll be able to visit a few of those castles! Thanks so much for the info :)