Hailes Castle
East Lothian, Scotland
Photo: Supergolden, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Supergolden, CC BY-SA 3.0 ยท Supergolden, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Historic Environment Scotland
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- East Linton, 1.3 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Free riverside fortified manor, open year-round
Pinpoint
Haddington EH41 4PY
One of Scotland's oldest stone castles, with red sandstone masonry dating to the early 1200s, set beside the river in a spot reviewers consistently call serene. It's free, open year-round, and unstaffed, with information panels doing the work of explaining what life here looked like.
At a glance
Who to know
Mary, Queen of Scots · the castle's history is connected to her
Worth the trip
The riverside setting - reviewers rate the walk to reach the castle, along the river, as being as memorable as the ruin itself.
Before you go
The approach road narrows off the main road and can be tricky to find with a sat nav, so allow extra time - and expect some areas cordoned off for safety, which doesn't stop most of the site being explorable.
What visitors say
Hailes Castle reviews · 4.4 / 5 across 383 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Hailes Castle's picturesque riverside setting and its history connected to Mary Queen of Scots, and note that it's free to visit with a well-signposted walk to reach it.
Several mention some areas being fenced off for a safety inspection at the time of their visit, though this didn't stop most from recommending it, with the information panels helping bring the ruins to life.
“Interesting little castle in a good position. Some parts fenced off. Narrow road to it when you leave main road and I found it a bit tricky to find using sat nav. Free entry”- Harry Kielty, visitor review
Within reach of Edinburgh (20 miles) - see what else is nearby.
History
Hugo de Gourlay · 1300
One of Scotland's oldest stone castles, built as a fortified tower house by Hugo de Gourlay before 1300. Extended substantially by the Hepburn family in the 14th and 15th centuries, it played a role in border conflicts and hosted Mary Queen of Scots in 1567. Partly slighted by Cromwell's forces in 1650, it eventually became a granary before state guardianship in 1926.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Common questions about Hailes Castle
Where is Hailes Castle?
Hailes Castle is in East Lothian, Scotland, at Haddington EH41 4PY.
Is Hailes Castle free to visit?
Yes - Hailes Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Hailes Castle?
The riverside setting - reviewers rate the walk to reach the castle, along the river, as being as memorable as the ruin itself.
Is Hailes Castle a ruin or still intact?
Hailes Castle is a ruin - Free riverside fortified manor, open year-round.
