Lauriston Castle

About Lauriston Castle

	2 Cramond Road South, Edinburgh West EH4 6AD
	01313362060
	Lauriston Castle Website
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Listed Under Attractions - Museums Attractions - Gardens and Parks Attractions - History and Culture

When you step inside Lauriston Castle, you see it just as it was in 1926, when it was left to the nation by the last private owner, Mrs Reid.

The Castle and the collections it contains is one of Scotland’s greatest gifts. Collections include, Italian Furniture, Sheffield Plate, Crossley Wool Mosaics and Blue John ornaments. The interiors of the house are the work of Mrs Reid's husband, Mr W R Reid, the owner of Morison & Co., a leading Edinburgh cabinet making business.

The beautiful grounds were laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s. Much of the planting dates to this period. The award-winning Japanese Friendship garden, gifted by the prefecture of Kyoto, is a tranquil place to contemplate.

April through October: 2pm every day except Friday.

November through March: 2pm Saturday and Sunday only.

Upcoming Events at Lauriston Castle

The Lauriston Castle Teddy Bear’s Picnic

21st July 2019

Join us at Lauriston Castle on Sunday 21st July for a morning of teddy bear themed fun! Remember to bring a picnic.

Our Heritage in Our Hands: Caring for Scotland’s Great Gardens

23rd July 2019

Ann Steele gives this talk on how the National Trust for Scotland works to ensure that Scotland’s great garden heritage is sustainable – now and for future generations.

Macbeth

25th July 2019

Bring your picnic for an inventive take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth against the dramatic back-drop of Lauriston Castle and watch the sun set behind you!

The Briggers: The Story of the Men and Boys Who Built the Forth Bridge

27th July 2019

Come along to Lauriston Castle on 27th July as the Briggers, a Forth Bridge research and presentation group of volunteers, give this talk on the Forth Bridge and the men who made it!

Tree Sculpture

28th July 2019

Today is National Tree Day! Discover the trees of Lauriston on a magical art trail through the woods then create a tree sculpture to adorn your home or garden in this family workshop on 28th July!

Summer Magic Workshop with Edinburgh International Magic Festival

3rd August 2019

Learn, create and perform your own magic in this workshop at Lauriston Castle this summer for Ages 7 - 11!

Death Pays a Visit

7th August 2019 - 8th August 2019

A murder is discovered at Lauriston Castle, what secrets lie behind it's walls? Come and see if you can solve the crime and unmask the killer!

Sketchy Scrapbooks!

9th August 2019

Today is National Book Lovers Day! Come and spend time sketching our magical castle and our beautiful grounds with Erik Petrie, then seal your memories in a handmade scrapbook! Suitable for age 4+.

Forces on the Forth

10th August 2019

Join Scots at War to learn about the roles part-time soldiers played in defending Edinburgh in 1914 before heading off to France and Gallipoli.

MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room

10th August 2019

What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!

MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room

11th August 2019

What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!

An Underwater World

11th August 2019

Join Mike Durnan on Sunday 11th August and discover what lives in our wonderful pond in Lauriston Castle’s Japanese Garden, then make your very own sailing boat to sail in it!

Hell on the Tigris

12th August 2019

Join Historian David Clarke for this lecture on heroics of the British and Indian troops that fought in modern day Iraq, in a conflict with chilling echoes of modern times.

MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room

13th August 2019

What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!

MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room

14th August 2019

What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!

Longwood: Napoleon’s Last Days

15th August 2019 - 17th August 2019

On the 250th anniversary of Napoleon's birth, Posturous Productions invites you to meet the man behind the monster and the tyrant behind one of the biggest wars this world had ever known.

Pinhole Cameras

18th August 2019

To celebrate World Photography Day (19 August), join us at Lauriston Castle on 18th August for a special workshop exploring pinhole cameras!

In Perpetuity

19th August 2019

This talk by Ailsa Clarke will explore the founding philosophy of the Imperial War Graves Commission and the huge task of creating the cemeteries and how the work of the CWGC continues to this day.

MagicFest at the Fringe - The Secret Room

22nd August 2019

What mysteries does Lauriston Castle conceal? Come along and explore untold mysteries in the Secret Room!

Robert Blomfield, Street Photographer: The Edinburgh Years 1956 - 1966

23rd August 2019

Join Johnny Blomfield who will show a choice selection from his brother Robert's archive which were not be included in the exhibition simply because there wasn’t room for them.

Patchwork Appliqued Cushions

25th August 2019

Make a beautiful cushion with a patchwork applique using vintage style fabrics in this workshop with Felicity Bryant at Lauriston Castle!

Thomas Begbie’s Edinburgh: A mid-Victorian portrait

26th August 2019

Join David Patterson as he discusses little-known Edinburgh photographer Thomas Begbie's remarkable glass plate negatives, taken between 1857 and 1860, showing life in mid-Victorian Edinburgh.

Back to Hogwarts Day

1st September 2019

Spend a magical day at Lauriston Castle to mark 'Back to Hogwarts Day’, make some magic potions, craft some special owls and go on secret quests through the Castle.

Edinburgh’s First Chinese Gentleman

4th September 2019

This talk at Lauriston Castle will recount the remarkable story of William Macao, the first Chinese gentleman to settle in Britain where he spent 50 years living in Edinburgh.

There’s Suffragettes Amongst Us!

8th September 2019

It’s 1909 at Lauriston. A member of staff, in her own time, has taken part in the great suffragette march along Princes Street - something that has not being well received by all at the Castle.

The Employment and Industries of Old Cramond

11th September 2019

This lecture given by Bill Weir will look at the industries of the Old Cramond Parish, with a focus on the Mills of the River Almond and the impact of the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s.

The Canterville Ghost

14th September 2019

Oscar Wilde's classic story comes to life with a dramatized reading from Posturous Productions at Lauriston Castle on Saturday 14th September.

A Lauriston Collage

15th September 2019

Make a beautiful collage inspired by the natural environment of Lauriston Castle in this family workshop with Erik Petrie on Sunday 15th September!

Penicuik Estate: Past Present and Future

19th September 2019

Join us at Lauriston Castle for this lecture looking at a brief history of Penicuik Estate since it was acquired by the Clerk family in 1654!

Regal Knights

22nd September 2019

Make you own coat of arms, sword and shield to battle and defend yourself from marauding dragons in this workshop at Lauriston Castle on 22nd September!

Revolutions, Rebellions and Revelations: Scottish History seen through Edinburgh’s Collections

23rd September 2019

This talk will take you through the key moments of Edinburgh’s history from the National Covenant of 1638 to the suppression of the Highlands after the defeat of the Jacobite Rebellion in 1746.

Scar: The Dramatic Story of a Viking Boat Burial in Scotland

26th September 2019

In this lecture Olwyn Owen will piece together the story of the three people buried in the Viking boat and the origins and significance of the objects they took with them to the afterlife.

Clermiston and some of the mansions of the Old Cramond Parish

1st October 2019

This lecture, given by Bill Weir, will explore the old estates of Dalmeny, Craigiehall, and Cammo along with Craigcrook Castle and Clermiston House, it will also examine a number of the owners.

The Edinburgh Seven

3rd October 2019

The Edinburgh Seven predate even the redoubtable Dr Elsie Inglis in taking on the misogyny of the establishment to prove their worth. Come hear their story in this lecture at Lauriston Castle!

Autumn’s Bounty

6th October 2019

Collect objects from nature and create your own badge, brooch, and pendants in this family workshop with Mike Durnan at Lauriston Castle!

The Changing Face of Leith in the 20th century

9th October 2019

This Lecture given by Jim Tweedie, Chair of Leith Local History Society, will give an overview of the fascinating history of Leith and discuss Leith’s unique position today.

Towers of Power: 2,000 Years of Fortifications in Scotland

12th October 2019

David C. Weinczok gives this talk on all the main types of fortified sites in Scotland and shares plenty of examples for you to explore once it's over.

Sketching Lauriston

13th October 2019

Take part in a sketching session with artist Erik Petrie, focussing on some secret and very picturesque corners of The Tower House, the oldest section of Lauriston Castle!

The Unlikely Story of Alexander Dow

16th October 2019

Join us at Lauriston Castle on 16th October for this talk on the life of Alexander Dow, from his birth in Perthshire, working for a smuggler, to becoming a Colonel in the East India Company!

RSPB Scotland at Lauriston Castle

18th October 2019

Come along to Lauriston Castle to take part in some free wildlife themed activities with RSPB Scotland and see how you can be part of saving nature!

Autumn Wreaths

19th October 2019

Join Margaret Findlay in this workshop at Lauriston Castle on 19th October and make a gorgeous pre-lit magical autumnal wreath.

RSPB Scotland at Lauriston Castle

19th October 2019

Come along to Lauriston Castle to take part in some free wildlife themed activities with RSPB Scotland and see how you can be part of saving nature!

Halloween Wand Making Workshop

20th October 2019

Join us at Lauriston Castle in a magical crafting class just in time for Halloween and create your own unique magic wand!

RSPB Scotland at Lauriston Castle

20th October 2019

Come along to Lauriston Castle to take part in some free wildlife themed activities with RSPB Scotland and see how you can be part of saving nature!

The Twilight Seance

26th October 2019

Join paranormal illusionist Ash Pryce as he leads you into the netherworld at Lauriston Castle on 26th October.

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