Thirlestane Castle
Rose-pink sandstone castle near Lauder, home of the Maitland family since 1590, visited on guided tours with plaster ceilings, portraits and a toy museum.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Thirlestane Castle stands near Lauder in the Scottish Borders and has been the home of the Maitland family since 1590. A fortification of some kind has guarded this part of the Leader Valley for centuries, watching over the southern approach to Edinburgh. In 1590 John Maitland, Chancellor of Scotland under James VI, built a new tower house here, and the family has lived on the site ever since.
In the 1670s the first Duke of Lauderdale had the architect Sir William Bruce rework the castle in a grand style, with embellished corner towers, new north and south wings, a platform and approach staircase, and a suite of state rooms with elaborate plaster ceilings. In 1840 the ninth Earl extended the wings in granite. During the First World War the castle served as a military hospital for convalescing officers, and in the Second World War it housed girls from an Edinburgh school.
The castle first opened to the public in 1984, after years of fundraising and redecoration, and it was one of the first historic houses to do so. It is now cared for by a charitable trust. Visits are by guided tour, which takes in the state rooms with their seventeenth-century ceilings, one of the largest family collections of portraits and busts in Scotland, and a toy museum in the old school room with more than a thousand Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian toys.
Highlights
- Seventeenth-century plasterwork ceilings in the state rooms
- One of the most extensive family portrait and bust collections in Scotland
- Toy museum in the School Room with over 1,000 toys
- Links to Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots
- Hot drink and a Scottish treat included at the end of every guided tour
Permanent exhibitions
- Guided tour of the state rooms – A guided walk through the state rooms with seventeenth-century plaster ceilings and a large family portrait collection.
- Toy museum – More than 1,000 Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian toys shown in the School Room as part of the tour.
- Founded
- 1984
- Operated by
- Thirlestane Castle Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £16.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £5 |
| Groups (10+ people) | £12.50 per personGroup rate per person for pre-booked group tours. |
| Families | £35Two adults and up to three children. |
| Grounds pass | £3.50 |
| Afternoon tea and tour | £38.50On selected days from April to October; includes tea in the Victorian Kitchen. |
| Private castle tour | £25Bookable all year round by arrangement. |
| Young Scot ticket | £1 |
Ticket prices are for guided tours; the adult price is the lowest standard tour price. Child, family, group and grounds prices come from a third-party visitor listing (Historic Houses), which also lists free entry for its members.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Two disabled parking spaces are on the castle forecourt. A third-party visitor guide lists wheelchair ramps and routes, accessible toilets and guide dogs. Visitors with access needs should contact the castle before booking. The website has an accessibility statement.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £35 · Two adults and up to three children. |
|---|
The toy museum in the School Room shows more than a thousand historic toys, and children's tickets and a family ticket are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Trains from Edinburgh Waverley to the Borders take just under an hour and stop at Stow (10 minutes from the castle by car) or Tweedbank (20 minutes by car); visitors can take a taxi from either station, or a local bus from Tweedbank. Borders Buses route 51 runs from Edinburgh to Lauder roughly hourly on most days and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes.
By car
Parking available
Day visitors use the car park by the ticket kiosk just before the wooden gate on the drive; two disabled spaces are on the castle forecourt. Guests staying at the castle have a separate private car park.
- Accessible parking
From the A68 just south of Lauder, turn onto the B6362 following the brown signs; the castle's Eagle Gates are about 200 m further on. What3words: awakening.plates.reversed.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
A hot refreshment and a Scottish treat are included at the end of every guided tour. Afternoon tea is served in the Victorian Kitchen. The castle has an online gift shop.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The castle is offered for weddings, private dining, corporate events and exclusive use, and has suites for overnight stays.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Entry is by pre-booked guided tour only. Specialist tours on art and architecture, military connections and the Maitland family are available for groups and private visits. Group tours of 10 or more people are offered all year round. |
