Scottish Castles

Local information

The House of the Binns, Edinburgh and the Lothians

Location: Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7NA (map and directions)

Dating from the 17th century, the House of the Binns is a historic house 3 miles east of Linlithgow. The majestic exterior of the castle is superseded by its interior which includes a collection of family portraits, Scottish furniture and Chinese and European porcelain, as well as General Tam Dalyell's Bible and sword. Though 8 of 10 rooms in the house are on the ground floors, the upper rooms provide breathtaking views of the surrounding parkland. Outside, the grounds of The Binns include a woodland walk with views over the Firth of Forth. The House of the Binns is currently in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.

House of the Binns © Troy Afterburner

History of the House of the Binns

The Binns, as it is also known, was the seat of the Dalyell family from 1612 when the estate was acquired by Edinburgh merchant Thomas Dalyell. The Binns was extended by Thomas’ son Tam Dalyell, who added the first of several towers added on to the house throughout its history. Extended further in the mid-18th century and again in 1810, the House of the Binns was converted in that time to a Baronial style. The Dalyell family owned and lived in this house for 400 years and though it was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 1944, the family retained the right to live in the house.

Map and directions

Other castles in Edinburgh & the Lothians