Dirleton Castle building photo, Architect, Location, History, Image, Scottish Fortification Architecture

Dirleton Castle, Scotland : Building

Historic Scottish Building, East Lothian, south east Scotland, UK – 12th century fortification.

post updated 16 December 2023

Please check with owners for details such as access & charge

Edinburgh & Lothian

Address: Dirleton, East Lothian

Dirleton Castle

Location: 2m west of North Berwick on the A198, entry from village green

This Scottish fortification was built in the 12th century.

No larger photo, apologies
Dirleton Castle Scotland
12th century fortification photograph © Adrian Welch

Dirleton Castle Scotland

Dirleton Castle stands on a rocky outcrop, at the heart of the rich agricultural lands of the barony of Dirleton, and guards the coastal approach to Edinburgh from England, via the port of North Berwick. The ruins comprise a 13th-century keep, and a 16th-century house which the Ruthvens built adjacent.

Only the basement levels survive of the 14th- and 15th-century additions built by the Haliburtons, although these comprised a large hall and tower house along the east range.

Other buildings within the courtyard have also been demolished. Surrounding the castle are gardens, which may have been first laid out in the 16th century, although the present planting is largely of the 20th century.

Contact:

telephone: +44 (0)1620 850330

e-mail: hs.explorer(at)scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Scottish Castles

Dirleton House : Ivy Bank, East Lothian

Location: southeast Scotland, United Kingdom

Castles in East Lothian

Historic East Lothian Property Designs – key architectural selection below located close by:

Tantallon Castle, near North Berwick, East Lothian
Tantallon Castle

Dunbar Castle, East Lothian
Dunbar Castle

Historic Buildings in Eastern Scotland

Hailes Castle, east of Haddington, East Lothian
Hailes Castle

Lennoxlove House, south of Haddington, East Lothian
Lennoxlove House

Castles in Midlothian

Historic Midlothian Property Designs – key architectural selection below:

Melville Castle, Gilmerton Road, near Dalkeith, Midlothian – on the bank of the North Esk
Design in part: James Playfair Architect
Melville Castle

Dalhousie Castle, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, EH19 3JB
Dalhousie Castle

Borthwick Castle, Borthwick, Midlothian, 12 miles south of Edinburgh, near Gorebridge
Borthwick Castle

Crichton Castle, ruined building near the village of Crichton, Midlothian
Crichton Castle

Scottish Castle Buildings

Craigmillar Castle

Blackness Castle

Couston Castle

Scottish Historic Buildings