Thirlestane Castle

Brief History of Thirlestane Castle

The castle was originally built in this position in order to defend the southern approach to Edinburgh through Lauderdale. When the Lauder family were all killed in feuds, Castle Hill was sold on 27 January 1587 to the Maitland family.

During the 16th century, the Maitland family were both powerful and influential. When Sir John Maitland acquired the land in 1587, before he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Scotland in 1590, he purchased the new property to replace the crumbling structure one mile to the south known at that time as Thirlestane.

Sir William Bruce was hired to transform the castle into a residence, and so additions included two front towers, a grand staircase, lavish staterooms, and plasterwork ceilings. Many windows were added to lighten the space, sometimes in walls that were over 13ft thick.

Thirelstane Castle and the Jacobites

It was quite fortunate that Thirlestane had this big spruce up, because it was only a couple of decades later that it hosted Bonnie Prince Charlie! In 1745 when he was marching to England with the Jacobite army to reclaim his father’s crown, following his victory at the battle of Prestonpans, he spent a night at Thirlestane castle.

The Maitlands were not Jacobites, and thus escaped forfeiture after the event, as it was widely accepted that when an army equipped with cannon arrived on the doorstep asking for accommodation you should probably let them in!

The army itself camped in the castle’s parkland, whilst Charles Edward Stuart stayed in a chamber which has been preserved and is known as Bonnie Prince Charlie's Room to this very day.

A visit to Thirlestane Castle will afford you the opportunity to view this room for yourself, along with a first class collection of furniture, porcelain, artworks and even vintage toys. You can tour various highlights like the breathtaking mirrored state rooms, gardens and parklands, before popping into the tearoom and shop.