Step inside Edinburgh’s ‘other castle’, which stood a mile outside the old city walls, providing a retreat from Scotland’s capital. Craigmillar Castle was close to the political cauldron of Edinburgh, but pleasingly separate from it.
Mary Queen of Scots famously used the castle as a safe haven in 1566. Ironically, its owner, Sir Simon Preston, a loyal supporter of Mary, would turn her jailer just a year later.
Craigmillar Castle has many nooks and crannies to explore. Originally a simple tower house residence, the castle grew into a complex of structures and spaces as each owner improved its comfort and facilities.
Its gardens and parkland were also important. The present day Craigmillar Castle Park reminds us of the castle’s days as a rural retreat a short distance from Scotland’s capital.
The original tower house of the late 1300s is at the core. Craigmillar was among the first of this type of castle to be built in Scotland.
The tower house:
The courtyard wall, built in the 1400s, is well preserved, with gunholes shaped like inverted keyholes. A private family chapel and other secondary buildings lie inside the wall.
The west range was rebuilt after 1660 as a family residence for the Gilmour family.
Queen Mary’s Room, on the first floor of the tower house, is where Mary Queen of Scots is said to have slept in 1566. But it’s more likely that she had a multi-roomed apartment when she stayed at Craigmillar, probably in the east range.
Owner Sir Simon Preston was a loyal supporter of Mary, who had appointed him Provost of Edinburgh. Ironically, he would become her jailer for her first night as a prisoner after her capture in 1567. Mary was taken from his townhouse in the High Street to Lochleven Castle the next day.
A number of fine ‘veteran’ trees stand in the grounds. One old sycamore to the south of the castle has grown around a drystone dyke.
Some of the plants growing by the castle were likely part of the original castle garden. These include Good-King-Henry – once widely eaten as a vegetable.
Category | Admission price |
Adult (16-59yrs) | £6.00 |
Concession (60yrs+ and unemployed) | £4.80 |
Child (5-15yrs) | £3.60 |
Family (1 adult, 2 children) | £12.00 |
Family (2 adults, 2 children) | £17.00 |
Family (2 adults, 3 children) | £20.50 |
One-way system in operation
Some areas/facilities will remain closed for now, we have a phased approach to re-opening while we work to make them safe.
1 November to 31 March:
Daily, 10am to 4pm
Advance booking required.
Some areas of the grounds are not open to the public.
25, 26 & 31 December
1 and 2 January
Adverse weather or other reasons beyond our control may cause a site to close at short notice.
Before you travel, you can view current unexpected closures.