Craigmillar Castle
City of Edinburgh, Scotland
Photo: Photograph by Stuart Yeates, from en:Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: User:Jonathan Oldenbuck, CC BY-SA 3.0 ยท User:Jonathan Oldenbuck, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- Historic Scotland Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Brunstane, 1.9 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Mary Queen of Scots refuge; Edinburgh's other castle
Pinpoint
Craigmillar Castle Rd, Edinburgh EH16 4SY
Telephone 0131 661 4445
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1 April - 30 September | Daily 9.30am to 5pm |
| 1 October - 31 March | Daily 10am to 4pm |
| 24 December | Daily 10am to 2pm |
Last entry: Last entry is 30 minutes before closing. On 24 December, last entry will be at 1pm.
- Closed
- 25 and 26 December. 1 and 2 of January.
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
A substantial ruined castle on the edge of Edinburgh, associated with Mary Queen of Scots, who took refuge here in the 1560s, and large enough inside, cellars, multiple room ranges, a rare private walled garden, that reviewers say it's bigger than it looks from the road. The roof gives a 360-degree view taking in Edinburgh Castle, the sea, and the surrounding hills.
At a glance
Who to know
Mary, Queen of Scots · took refuge here in the 1560s
Worth the trip
The 360-degree view from the roof - reviewers say you can pick out Edinburgh Castle, the coast, and the hills all from the same spot, without the crowds of the city-centre landmark.
Before you go
Go early to have the place largely to yourself - several reviewers timed visits for opening and got the ruins nearly empty - and it's an easy bus ride from the city centre, so you don't need a car.
What visitors say
Craigmillar Castle reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 3,081 Google reviews
Recent reviews on file are all five-star, and several visitors frame Craigmillar as a quieter, more immersive alternative to Edinburgh Castle - bigger inside than it looks, with multiple rooms and cellars, and towers, dungeons and battlements that are free to explore without the restrictions found at the more famous site.
Panoramic views back to Arthur's Seat and across Edinburgh come up repeatedly, along with praise for how uncrowded it feels, especially for early visitors.
No practical downsides are mentioned in the reviews on file.
“Not a fancy modern museum, but a real medieval castle. It is way bigger inside than it looks from the outside, multiple rooms and cellars. Gorgeous view from the roof 360 degrees, you can see Edinburgh Castle and the…”- Roman Strijac, visitor review
Within reach of Edinburgh (3 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Weddings at Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle is on our wedding roll because Historic Environment Scotland mentions weddings on their own site. Visit their site.
Comparing options? See every castle wedding venue in Scotland, or the full UK wedding roll.
Dates, capacity, licensing and exclusivity change constantly and we hold none of it - treat this as a starting point and speak to the venue before you plan anything around it.
History
Preston family · late 14th century (tower house by 1425)
The Preston family began building this Edinburgh ruin in the late 14th century, completing the tower house by 1425 and adding the distinctive courtyard wall in the 15th century. It gained fame as a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots in 1566, where she recovered from illness and where nobles plotted against her husband.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “The surrounding country park is ideal for a walk or picnic.” - Mioma Priora
Common questions about Craigmillar Castle
Where is Craigmillar Castle?
Craigmillar Castle is in City of Edinburgh, Scotland, at Craigmillar Castle Rd, Edinburgh EH16 4SY.
Do you need a ticket to visit Craigmillar Castle?
Yes - Craigmillar Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by Historic Environment Scotland. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Craigmillar Castle?
The 360-degree view from the roof - reviewers say you can pick out Edinburgh Castle, the coast, and the hills all from the same spot, without the crowds of the city-centre landmark.
Is Craigmillar Castle a ruin or still intact?
Craigmillar Castle is a partial ruin - Mary Queen of Scots refuge; Edinburgh's other castle.
