The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland
The Castles of Scotland 

Thirlestane Castle

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers to explore, a cafe, shop and woodland walk, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in a lovely spot near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)

Borders: Just east of Lauder, on minor road north of B6362 east of junction with A68, just south-west of meeting of Leader Water and Earnscleugh Water, at Thirlestane Castle.

 

Private   NT 540478   OS: 73   TD2 6RU

 

OPEN: Open early May-Sep, please visit Thirlestane Castle's website for availability and to book your tour. Venue for luxury use, events and a range of accommodation suites.

 

Tel: 01578 722430   Web: www.thirlestanecastle.co.uk

 

Caravan Park: thirlestanecastlepark.co.uk

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)
Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)
Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)
Plan, Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle: plan (RCAHMC, 1915)

A magnificent building in a fine setting, Thirlestane Castle is a 16th-century castle, the oldest part of which is a rectangular tower house or block of three storeys and an attic, which have a large round tower at each corner. The walls are as much as 13 foot thick, and the basement was vaulted.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)
Carving over main entrance, Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle: carving over main entrance (© Martin Coventry)

The castle was considerably enlarged in the 1670s by Sir William Bruce and Robert Mylne, with the rebuilding of the main block, heightening it to six storeys, and the addition of round turrets. Three semi-circular towers along each side contain stairs, as do many of the turrets. Parapets are supported on arches running along each side. 

Panelled Room, Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle: Panelled Room (© Thirlestane Castle Trust)
Grand bedchamber, Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle: Grand Bedchamber (© Thirlestane Castle Trust)

A symmetrical forecourt was also added, with three-storey wings, which were extended in the 19th century. The 19th-century extensions were designed by William Burn and possibly by David Bryce.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (RCAHMC, 1915)
Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (RCAHMC, 1915)

A fine 17th-century plaster ceiling survives on the second floor, executed by George Dunsterfield and Dutch craftsmen, as do splendid Baroque plaster ceilings elsewhere. There are many paintings and family portraits.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)

‘Thirlestane Castle’ is marked as a large castle with tower in an enclosed and wooded park on Blaeu’s map of Berwickshire. The present castle probably replaced a motte and bailey castle.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (MacGibbon and Ross)

The original castle of the Maitlands stood two miles away at Old Thirlestane. The present castle was built by Sir John Maitland, James VI’s chancellor, but it was John Maitland, 2nd Earl of Lauderdale, who had the house remodelled in 1670. Maitland was made Duke of Lauderdale by Charles II in 1672, and was Secretary of State for Scotland from 1661-80. He fell from favour and was eventually replaced after the Covenanter uprising which ended with their defeat at the Battle of Bothwell Brig.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (old postcard)
Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)

Maitland had no legitimate male heirs and the Dukedom (but not the Earldom) became extinct on his death. Most of the furniture dates from the 19th century after Elizabeth, the widowed duchess, ran off with 14 wagonloads of valuables to her own home Ham House, only the last cart being stopped by the folk of Lauder on realising what she was doing.

St Mary's Kirk, Haddington, Mailtland of Lauderdale burial place for Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in th Thirlestane Castle: St Mary's Kirk, Haddington, burial place of Mailtland (© Martin Coventry)
Duke of Lauderdale's memorial in St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington, Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in t Thirlestane Castle: Duke of Lauderdale's memorial in St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington (MacGibbon and Ross)

Maitland's ghost is said to haunt a chamber in Thirlestane, as well as St Mary’s Kirk in Haddington, where he is buried, his tomb marked by an elaborate carved memorial. For some time it was thought that supernatural manifestations were responsible for the coffins moving around in the burial vault beneath the tomb, but it was later found that the room flooded and the waters of the Tyne were the real culprit.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)

Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed here in 1745 on his way south, and the chamber he stayed in may be visited, as can the the main chambers, nurseries, kitchen, scullery and launderies, although there is still a programme of renovation. Thirlestane Castle housed St Hilary’s School from Edinburgh after it had been evacuated from Edinburgh during World War II, a book has been written about the time (Amazon), which is also available in the castle shop.

Thirlestane Castle, a fabulous old castle and mansion with many sumptuous chambers, long held by the powerful Maitlands of Lauderdale, and in lovely gardens and grounds near Lauder in the Borders in southern Scotland. Thirlestane Castle (© Martin Coventry)

The castle and earldom have parted company when the direct male line failed, and Ian Maitland is the 18th Earl of Lauderdale, while the castle was held by his cousin Gerald Maitland-Carew, who inherited the castle from his grandmother. The castle and contents were transferred to a trust in 1984. The castle has undergone an extensive programme of repair, renovation and redecoration after more than 40 outbreaks of dryrot were found, as well as the discovery that the tall central tower was in danger of collapsing.

New sixth edition in preparation: more than 1,500 additional sites, hundreds more illustrations, comprehensive online maps and indexes, and much much more.

Due for 2024, and still a huge amount of work to do … more info to follow soon.

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