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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 CastleThe 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. Thirlestane Castle and the grounds are open to visitors from April to September daily. Opening times at Thirlestane are varied.
View Thirlestane Castle in a larger map
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Other castles in Scottish Borders Ayton Castle
Branxholme Castle
Cessford Castle
Dryhope Tower
Duns Castle
Fast Castle
Fatlips Castle
Ferniehirst Castle
Floors Castle
Greenknowe Tower
Hermitage Castle
Hume Castle
Kirkhope Tower
Neidpath Castle
Nether Horsburgh Castle
Newark Castle
Nisbet House
Smailholm Tower
Thirlestane Castle
Traquair House
Venlaw Castle
Wedderburn Castle
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