Dirleton Castle

Built in the 1200s for the de Vaux family, the surviving towers of the early castle are among the most important fragments of medieval architecture in Scotland.

The domed shape in the stone is formed by the vaulted ceiling of the de Vaux hall below.

There was once an additional storey here, but the upper part of the tower was destroyed during the Wars of Independence.

Today, from here we can see Berwick Law – a hill formed from an extinct volcano. Dirleton Castle sits on a crag of volcanic rock which once formed part of that same volcano. We can also look out over the East Lothian countryside, and away to the Lammermuir hills to the south.

This grand space, with its high vaulted ceiling, window seats and ornate fireplace, would once have been used by the de Vaux family as a place to entertain and receive their closest associates and important guests.

There is also an aumbry or cupboard, for displaying the family’s silverware.