List of castles in Edinburgh facts for kids
Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, is famous for its rich history and stunning buildings. Among its most impressive features are its many castles. These strong, old buildings tell stories of knights, queens, and battles from long ago. From grand royal fortresses to smaller, fortified homes, Edinburgh's castles offer a glimpse into Scotland's past.
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Castles in Edinburgh: A Journey Through Time
Edinburgh is home to many historic castles. Each one has its own unique story. Some are grand ruins, while others are still lived in today! Let's explore some of these amazing places.
Barnbougle Castle
Barnbougle Castle is a type of castle called a tower house. It was rebuilt in 1881. There was a castle here as early as the 1200s! This older castle was replaced by a new building in the 1600s.
Barnbougle was once the home of the Earl of Rosebery. He later moved to a new house nearby called Dalmeny House. The castle was badly damaged in an accidental explosion. It was left as a ruin for many years.
In 1881, the 5th Earl of Rosebery had it rebuilt. He wanted to use it to keep his large collection of books. The castle still has parts of the 1600s building. Today, Barnbougle Castle is still a home where people live.
Bavelaw Castle
Bavelaw Castle is a fortified house from the 1500s. A fortified house is a strong home built to protect its residents. The oldest part of Bavelaw is a tower from the 1500s.
This tower might have been a hunting lodge. It is thought that Mary, Queen of Scots and King James VI used it for hunting trips. The house you see today was mostly built in the 1600s. It was later restored around 1900 by a famous architect named Robert Lorimer.
Craigcrook Castle
Craigcrook Castle is another tower house. It was built in the 1600s by the Adamson family. Some parts of the inside suggest it might have been built on top of an even older tower.
In the 1800s, Craigcrook was the home of Lord Jeffrey. He was a very important editor of a magazine called the Edinburgh Review. The castle was made bigger in the 1800s by architect William Henry Playfair. Later, in the 1900s, it was changed into offices.
Craiglockhart Castle
Craiglockhart Castle was a square tower house. It was built in the 1400s by the Lockharts of Lee family. Today, only the strong, arched ground floor remains. Parts of the first floor are also still standing. It is now a protected historic site.
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle is a very interesting castle. It has a central keep (main tower) and other buildings added later. The oldest part of Craigmillar is the central tower. It was built in the late 1300s or early 1400s.
The Preston family owned Craigmillar from 1374. They kept adding to the castle in the 1400s and 1500s. They built a strong outer wall and more rooms. The English army burned the castle in 1543 during a conflict called the Rough Wooing.
Mary, Queen of Scots stayed at Craigmillar in the 1500s. In 1660, the Gilmour family bought the castle. They updated some parts of it and lived there until the early 1700s. Craigmillar has been a ruin since at least 1775. Since 1946, it has been looked after by Historic Environment Scotland.
Cramond Tower
Cramond Tower is a square-shaped tower house. It was built at the end of the 1400s. It was made for the Bishops of Dunkeld. Later, it was owned by the Douglas family and then James Inglis. He made the tower bigger and added larger windows.
In 1680, a new house called Cramond House was built nearby. This new house replaced the tower. The tower was then left empty and became a ruin by the 1800s. But in 1979–1981, it was restored and made into a home again. Cramond Tower is still a private home today.
Dundas Castle
Dundas Castle is a tower house with a much newer mansion next to it. The Dundas family has owned this land since the 1100s. The tower house was built in the early 1400s. It was attacked in 1449. Later, in the 1500s, a decorative wall was added to the top.
In the early 1800s, the tower was used as a brewery or a place to make alcohol. This was after a large country house was built next to it in 1818. This new house was designed in a special style called Tudor Gothic. During the Second World War, the castle was used as a base for barrage balloons.
The house was restored in the 1990s by its current owner, Sir Jack Stewart-Clark. The old tower is a very important historic building. The 1800s house is also a protected historic building.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a famous royal fortress. A fortress is a very strong military building. There has been a castle on this spot since the 1100s! Edinburgh Castle has buildings from many different time periods.
It has a royal palace where kings and queens lived. There is also a great hall for important meetings and feasts. In the 1800s, barracks (buildings for soldiers) were added. Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks.
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Lauriston Castle
Lauriston Castle is a tower house that was made bigger with a mansion later on. The original tower is from the 1500s. In the 1800s, it was extended to become the larger building you see today. Lauriston Castle is now owned by the City of Edinburgh Council. It is still used today.
Lennox Tower
Lennox Tower is a tower house from the 1400s. Today, it is a ruin.
Liberton Tower
Liberton Tower is a tower house built in the 1600s. It is special because it is still lived in as a home today!
Merchiston Castle
Merchiston Castle is a tower house from the 1400s. It is now part of the buildings for Napier University.
See also
- Castles in Scotland
- List of castles in Scotland
- List of listed buildings in Edinburgh
