Crichton Castle Midlothian

Wee Guides to Scotland
Crichton Castle, Midlothian

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

A complex, large and interesting building, Crichton Castle consists of ruinous ranges of buildings from the 14th to 16th centuries, enclosing a small courtyard. One feature is the arcaded, diamond-faced facade of a 16th-century range, decorated in the Italian Renaissance style. The castle was a property of the Crichtons, and probably first built about 1370. Sir William Crichton, Chancellor of Scotland, entertained the young Earl of Douglas and his brother before having them murdered in 1440 at the 'Black Dinner' in Edinburgh Castle. John Forrester slighted the castle in retaliation. The Crichtons were forfeited for treason in 1488, and the property later passed to Patrick Hepburn, Lord Hailes, who was made Earl of Bothwell. Mary, Queen of Scots, attended a wedding here in 1562. Crichton passed through the hands of many families, was abandoned, and became a romantic ruin. It was put into the care of the State in 1926.

Directions:	Off B6367, 2 miles E of Gorebridge, Midlothian.
Ownership:	HS	01875 320017	Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NT 380612 66
Open:	Open April to September - walk to property.
Key:	P S £	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

Fax: +44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk