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Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh
Historic Environment Scotland logo
Open today

Step inside Edinburgh’s ‘other castle’, which stood a mile outside the old city walls, providing a retreat from Scotland’s capital. Craigmillar Castle was close to the political cauldron of Edinburgh, but pleasingly separate from it.

View gallery

Mary Queen of Scots famously used the castle as a safe haven in 1566. Ironically, its owner, Sir Simon Preston, a loyal supporter of Mary, would turn her jailer just a year later.

What to see and do

  • Climb the tower house, one of Scotland’s oldest, which houses fascinating features like a fine great hall and a prison

  • Admire the views from the tower across Edinburgh – spot Holyrood Park and Edinburgh Castle among other landmarks

  • Get lost in Craigmillar’s nooks and crannies 

  • Look for the remains of an unusual fishpond in the grounds – it’s laid out in the shape of a letter P, for Preston

Overhead aerial view focusing on the inner buildings and courtyards of Craigmillar Castle, with patterned garden beds and stone structures clearly visible.
Spacious inner courtyard with a spreading tree, stone walls, and entrances to castle buildings.
View from Craigmillar Castle walls looking down onto a walled garden with patterned grass and surrounding countryside.

Get married at Craigmillar Castle

The great hall at Craigmillar Castle is a stunning wedding venue steeped in history, all within easy reach of Edinburgh city centre.
Weddings and wedding photography
A bride and groom stand close together inside a historic stone building. The groom wears a dark green ceremonial uniform and a tartan sash. The bride wears a white lace wedding dress with a long sheer veil and a jeweled headpiece. Rows of chairs and stone walls are visible in the softly lit background.

Ready for an adventure?

Use a Membership or Explorer Pass to discover centuries of Scottish history and heritage, all while saving money and supporting our work.

Membership

Ideal for regular visitors and heritage supporters

Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events

Two adults, holding hands with two young children, walk through a graveyard, with historical stone ruins in the background. It is a sunny day.
  • Unlimited annual pass for all ticketed sites plus daytime events
  • Discount in our shops and cafés (on site and online)
  • Historic Scotland magazine delivered to your door
  • Free or discounted entry to sites in England, Wales and the Isle of Man
Buy now View details

Explorer Pass

Perfect for short-term trips and sightseeing

Valid for 14 consecutive days

A family walking across a grassy lawn with the New Abbey Corn Mill building in the background.
  • Valid for 14 consecutive days
  • Entry to all ticketed sites, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle
  • 20% discount on audio guides at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Glasgow Cathedral
  • Guaranteed entry when you pre-book online
Buy now View details