CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT
ADVERSE WEATHER - STORM AMY: Some outdoor events due to be held over the coming days have been postponed or cancelled. Where possible we are updating listings, but please check with the organiser before travelling.

Craigmillar Castle

Step inside Edinburgh's other castle, once a rural retreat from Scotland's capital!

Craigmillar Castle

About Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh South EH16 4SY
01316614445
Craigmillar Castle Website
Follow histenvscot on Twitter
Facebook information can be found here

In light of updated Scottish Government advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have taken the decision to close public access to our staffed properties and offices until further notice. All planned public events will also be postponed until further notice – full details of these can be found on our Events page in the coming days: historicenvironment.scot/whats-on.

Craigmillar is one of Scotland’s most perfectly preserved castles. It began as a simple tower-house residence. Gradually, over time, it developed into a complex of structures and spaces, as subsequent owners attempted to improve its comfort and amenity. As a result, there are many nooks and crannies to explore. Of equal importance were the surrounding gardens and parkland, and the present-day Craigmillar Castle Park has fascinating reminders of the castle’s days as a rural retreat on the edge of Scotland’s capital city.

At the core lies the original, late-14th-century tower house, among the first of this new form of castle built in Scotland. It stands 17m high to the battlements, has walls almost 3m thick, and holds a warren of rooms, including a fine great hall on the first floor, and the so-called ‘Queen Mary’s Room’ beside it, where Mary is said to have slept when staying there as a guest of the Prestons. In all probability, Mary resided in a multi-roomed apartment elsewhere in the courtyard, probably in the east range.

Also here is a labyrinth of dark spaces, including a grim basement prison where an upright skeleton was found walled up in the early 19th century. The west range was rebuilt as the Gilmour family’s residence after 1660. Beyond the well-preserved 15th-century courtyard wall, complete with gunholes shaped like inverted keyholes, lie other buildings, including a private family chapel.

Upcoming Events at Craigmillar Castle

The Mythical Mystery Hunt

11th October 2025 - 2nd November 2025

This autumn, follow Historic Environment Scotland's family trails to discover some of the magical and mystical creatures of Scottish folklore.

READ MORE

More History and Culture in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great rock. Its story has helped shape the nation's story.

READ MORE

Trinity House

99 Kirkgate, Leith EH6 6BJ

Trinity House was once the base of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters and this elegant Georgian house now holds an outstanding collection of maritime treasures.

READ MORE

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace Kirkgate, Linlithgow EH49 7AL

Explore the magnificent ruins of the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Linlithgow Palace was built and added to over two centuries by the Stewart kings, resulting in a superb Renaissance residence.

READ MORE

Canongate Kirk

153 Canongate, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BN

Canongate Kirk is the parish church of Canongate in Edinburgh’s Old Town and a congregation of the Church of Scotland.

READ MORE

Curious About Edinburgh Tour

, Various Locations Edinburgh

Have fun discovering Edinburgh with two self-guided, heritage walks with an optional treasure hunt... buy or instantly download & get curious!

READ MORE

Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel Chapel Loan, Roslin EH25 9PU

Owned by The Earl and Countess of RosslynRosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 as a place of worship and services continue to be held here weekly. The Chapel...

READ MORE

Auld Reekie Tours

45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1LG

Take a journey into the dark side of old Edinburgh's history touring the haunted underground vaults with Auld Reekie Tours!

READ MORE

National Museum of Scotland

National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1JF

Connecting Scotland to the world and the world to Scotland.

READ MORE

Military Museum Scotland

Legion Hall Louis Braille Avenue, Wilkieston , Kirknewton EH27 8EJ

Come and learn about the Scottish involvement in the British military from WW1 to the present day at the Military Museum Scotland!

READ MORE

John Gray Centre

15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX

The John Gray Centre brings together East Lothian Council’s Archaeology, Museum, Archive and Local History Services, alongside Haddington’s branch library.

READ MORE

The Georgian House

7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh New Town EH2 4DR

The Georgian House, Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture with its elegant furnished interior, is located at No. 7 Charlotte Square in the centre of Edinburgh!

READ MORE

The Edinburgh Dungeon

31 Market Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1DF

The Edinburgh Dungeon is the ultimate underground journey through Edinburgh's darkest history as you see, hear and errr smell Edinburgh’s murky past!

READ MORE
All History and Culture listings in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Headline PR
Wonder & Co
TGC Leisure
Escape The Past
Hilton Glasgow
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Street Historians
Children's Classic Concerts
Renfrewshire Council
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Dungeon

Sponsored Links

Fayre Play
Hilton Glasgow
Headline PR
Wonder & Co
TGC Leisure
Escape The Past
Hilton Glasgow
Murrayfield Experience
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Street Historians
Children's Classic Concerts
Renfrewshire Council
Murrayfield Experience
Edinburgh Dungeon

Popular Events

Conifox Terror Scream Park
Terror Scream Park, Edinburgh’s most intense 18+ horror event, launches for the very first time this autumn at Conifox Adventure Park.
Edinburgh Summer Sessions: The Cure
The Cure, one of the most influential and iconic bands of all time, have announced they will headline a show at Edinburgh Summer Sessions on Sunday 23rd August!
War Horse
The National Theatre’s global smash-hit production of War Horse returns to the Festival Theatre in October 2025!
Halloween Happenings at Dalkeith Country Park
Join us this October for spook-tacular Halloween Happenings at Dalkeith Country Park!
Dusherra 2025
Dusherra, the flagship annual event of the Scottish Indian Arts Forum, returns on Saturday 4th October at the top of Calton Hill.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall