• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Albion Gould

Albion Gould

makes & travels

  • make
  • travel
  • stitch
  • live
  • eat
  • wear

A Day at Craigmillar Castle

October 16, 2017 by Albion

One of the first things we did when we arrived in Scotland was buy a Historic Scotland membership for the family. This gives us free access to over 300 historic sites across Scotland and I intend for us to work our way through all of them. Our first excursion with our membership was to Craigmillar Castle. Did you know that there’s more than one castle in Edinburgh? You can reach it by bus in less than half an hour from the city center. It is well worth the trip out, is great fun for kids, and has unique views of the city. We spent a day at Craigmillar Castle and already can’t wait to go back.

A Day at Craigmillar Castle

When you get off the bus, you wander through a small neighborhood and then up a pathway. You wouldn’t expect a castle to be there, but suddenly you break through the houses and greenery and there it is.

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

The office is down below the castle with a small gift shop. We were told that a wedding had just finished (Craigmillar is a popular wedding venue), but they were just mingling and taking pictures so we were free to wander. It was fun to see people in kilts and fascinators inside the castle walls, even if we were slightly uncomfortable at the thought of disturbing their event.

Craigmillar Castle

The grounds are fantastic for kids. The girls ran and ran. There is something special about seeing your kids playing right next to ancient stone walls. The original tower house dates back to the late 1300s! The courtyard is positively new, having been built in the 1400s.

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle is full of nooks and crannies that are perfect for a giant game of hide and seek.

Craigmillar Castle

It makes for some dramatic pictures, too!

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

We got glimpses of the wedding party as we explored our way to the top. I’m a bit afraid that the girls have visions of a castle wedding now.

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

There’s a fantastic view of Edinburgh once you reach the top of the castle.

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

There was some heavy rain coming in (we’re in Scotland after all!), so we had to cut our day at Craigmillar Castle a bit short, but with it being so near, we’ll definitely be spending more time there.

Craigmillar Castle

Craigmillar Castle

SaveSave

SaveSave

Related Posts:

  • A Day at Aberdour Castle
    A Day at Aberdour Castle
  • A Bus Story
    A Bus Story
  • Misadventures in Egypt
    Misadventures in Egypt
  • Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
    Free Things to Do in Edinburgh
  • Where to See Highland Cows in Edinburgh
    Where to See Highland Cows in Edinburgh
  • The Halloween Trail at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
    The Halloween Trail at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
  • Take a Red Bus Tour of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park
    Take a Red Bus Tour of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier…
  • How to Plan a Family Road Trip on a Budget
    How to Plan a Family Road Trip on a Budget
Category: travelTag: Craigmillar Castle, Edinburgh, Edinburgh day trip, Historic Scotland, Scotland

About Albion

I’ve wanted to be an archaeologist, in theatre, a judge and to run a museum. I’m now in my mid-30s and have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.

Previous Post:Pumpkin Pocket HoopPumpkin Pocket Hoop
Next Post:Felt Halloween CoastersFelt Halloween Coasters

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Scots2Travel

    March 3, 2018 at 8:18 am

    I wasn’t familiar with this castle, hadn’t heard of it so appreciate the lowdown. Nice to hear about somewhere a little different.
    Scots2Travel recently posted…Mar Lodge: Self Catering Accommodation fit for a Queen in Aberdeenshire, ScotlandMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Skye Class

    March 3, 2018 at 10:42 am

    So this is what it looks like! I actually went there last year, but it was closed. 🙁 Been meaning to get back ever since. Now I really want to see it. I don’t have any kids to bring myself (yet), but if I can find another friend, we can both act like big kids.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Show more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Welcome

about me

I’ve wanted to be an archaeologist, in theatre, a judge, and to run a museum. While I try to decide what I want to be when I grow up, I spend my time crafting and exploring the world. Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Search

Copyright © 2023 · Albion Gould · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Theme

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT