Craigmillar Castle and other Edinburgh, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

Craigmillar Castle is located just outside the city of Edinburgh and has long been perceived as a place to get away from the narrow streets and the pestilence of the city (don't think you get much of the old pestilence these days though!)
The castle has quite a dark past with murder and at least one unspeakable death.
It was part of a chain of castles which protected Edinburgh from invasion, these days it's only invaded by tourists!
The castle on the current site was started in 1374. A cutain wall was added after 1427.
In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots ordered a refurbishment after the murder of her secretary at Ho;yrood. She stayed here during the winter of 1566/67.
From the top of the castle you get a good view of Edinburgh, the castle and Holyrood Park.

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Phone: 0131 6614445
Directions: 4kms south of Edinburgh centre on the A7

Take a bus for the New royal Infirmary, and its a short walk from there

Crichton Castle stands majestically on a hill overlooking the Tyne Valley. Walking from the car park to the castle is like steppping back in time to long ago.
It was a lordly residence of the Crichton family for some 200 years from the late 14thC. Later it was also home to the Earl of Botwell, third husband of mary Queen of Scots.
The castle has a stunning Italian style facade on Earl Bothwell's lodging, which is still in fine order

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Directions: About 20kms South east of Edinburgh, off A68, near Crichton village

Colliegiate Churches were a way of noble families showing their wealth and importance. It was buillt to house a college of priests.
Chrichton Colliegiate Church dates back to about 1400. It was attacked and damaged by the Douglas family in the early 1440s. William, Lord Crichton, the Chancellor of Scotland, effected repairs in the late 1440s. While he was at it he vastly expanded the castle and he also built Crichton Collegiate Church a few hundred yards to the north. The church was finished in time to hold its first service on 26 December 1449.

Today the church comprises north and south transepts either side of the tower, while to the east is the choir originally used by the priests and family for prayer and worship. To the north side of the choir is a sacristy.

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Directions: About 20kms South east of Edinburgh, off A68, near Crichton village

A nicely sited castle on the banks of the River Tyne, near the town of East Linton about 20kms east of Edinburgh.
The castle is now a ruin which incorporates the remains of a 13th C manor. It was extended in the 14th and 15th centuries.
there are also two vaulted pit prisons to see.

In the care of Historic Scotland - Admission free

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Directions: 2kms South West of East Linton, just off the A1 road

OS ref - NT 574 757

All that remains are the ruined remains of a once splendid Romanesque Church, altered in the 13th C.
It has associations with the Cistercian nunnery of St Mary's, which was founded in Haddington in around 1159.

In care of Historic Scotland
Admission Free

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Directions: On the outskirts of the small market town of Haddington, some 18kms East of Edinburgh, just off the A1 road.

St Mary's Church was completed in the 1400's and is the largest parish church in Scotland. This replaced an earlier church of the Grey Friars.
It contains the Lauderdale Aisle, a nice monument of early 17thc date, made from marble with alabaster effigies.

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Directions: In Haddington some 18 miles east of Edinburgh, just off the A1 road

Blackness Castle dates from the 15th C, although it has been altered considerably through the ages. it was never meant as a peacefull residence and has been a fortified prison and a garrison in use by the army until the end of the 1st world war.
The shape of the castle is that of a ship and it was often described as the ship that could not be sunk. The south tower building is often reffered to as the Stern Tower. There is also a pier out onto the Forth controlled by a drawbridge.
Ther are fine views of the Forth road and rail bridges from the castle.

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Directions: Near the village of Blackness some 15 miles West of Edinburgh.

Linlithgow Palace is a ruin on a very garnd scale, set in a park beside Linlithgow Loch.
All of the Stewart kings lived here and lots of renovations were carried out through the ages to create the ideal royal palace.
The palace is also famed as being the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

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Phone: 01506 842 896
Directions: Linlithgow Palace lies some 20 miles west of Edinburgh just of the M9 motorway.

Churches in Scotland dedicated to St Michael, have traditionally been sited upon hills, and this one is no exception.
Usaually such a prominant church would dominate the skyline, but here the church is dwarfed by hte adjacent mighty royal palace of Linlithgow.

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Directions: About 20 miles west of Edinburgh, just off the M90 motoway

Seton Collegiate Church stands in a lovely tranquil spot near the sea, some 10kms east of Edinburgh city centre.
It was built in the 14th Century, but never fully completed. It served as the church for a colege of priests. It has many fine tombs of the Seton family and fine vaulting.

In the care of Historic Scotland

Admission charge - Adult £2.00

Open summer only.

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Directions: 1,5 kms South East of COckenzie 0f the A198