Scottish Castles

Local information

Thirlestane Castle, Scottish Borders

Location: Lauder, Berwickshire, TD2 6RU (map and directions)

Originally constructed in the 13th century, Thirlestane Castle is set on the aptly named Castle Hill in the Scottish Borders town of Lauder, 28 miles south of Edinburgh. The castle served as the seat of the Earls and Duke of Lauderdale, and as a result played a very central role in the history of Scotland.

Thirlestane Castle © Jo Turner

History of Thirlestane Castle

The original castle was built atop Castle Hill in order to defend the southern approach to Edinburgh through Lauderdale. The property was then passed on to Robert Lauder in the 16th century who passed it on to his daughter Alison and her husband George Wedderhede. The couple, along with their son, were all killed in feuds, and so the castle was passed back to her living mother, Alison Crauston. When she died, Thirlestane was passed on to her grandchildren, who sold Castle Hill on 27 January 1587 to the Maitland family.

During the 16th century, the Maitland family were both powerful and influential. This came as a result of their military service, contribution to law and the arts and the fact that William Maitland of Lethington was Secretary to Mary Queen of Scots and that his younger brother, Sir John Maitland, was Secretary of Scotland. It was Sir John who acquired the property in 1587, before he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Scotland in 1590. The new property was purchased to replace the crumbling structure one mile to the south known at that time as Thirlestane.

The power of the Maitland family continued through the 1600s, with John Maitland appointed Secretary of State for Scotland in 1660. It was after this time that architect 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.

Thirlestane Castle © Martin Thirkettle

One of the rooms renovated during this time is now known as the Bonnie Prince Charlie room, as the prince stayed here, with his Jacobite army camped on the parkland, on their way to England in 1745.

In 1840, architects David Bryce and William Burn extended the castle by adding two wings, constructed around a central courtyard, plus new kitchens, pantries, laundries and servants quarters.

However, when Captain Gerald Maitland-Carew inherited the castle in 1972 from his grandmother Ethel, Countess of Lauderdale, Thirlestane was in serious disrepair. So much so that in 1984 the castle was gifted to a charity who, assisted by financial grants by Historic Buildings Council and National Heritage fund, renovated Thirlestane Castle.

Map and directions

Other castles in Scottish Borders