Skip to main content
Golf Course at Gullane
French site German site Dutch site Swedish site Canadian site American site Chinese site Belgian site Spanish site Italian site
Register here for our latest news and offers

Historic Houses

Historic Houses in Edinburgh

Two day trip

Day 1 - Edinburgh & West Lothian

  • Begin the day at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's number one visitor attraction, which sits on its own volcanic rock at the top of the Royal Mile. View the Scottish Crown Jewels, the delightful St Margaret's Chapel, the Stone of Destiny on which previous Scottish Monarchs were crowned and many other historic buildings. Newly opened is the Queen Anne Building, including a prisons of war experience.
    Visit Time - 1.5 Hours

  • Head to Charlotte Square in the New Town - Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture - and visit the Georgian House. Three floors of the Georgian House have been beautifully refurbished by the National Trust for Scotland to reflect the lifestyle of 1796.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

  • Have lunch in one of the cosmopolitan bistros and restaurants of the West End. Cross Charlotte Square and try No 27, the National Trust for Scotland's restaurant.

  • Five miles west of the city centre sits Lauriston Castle, a sixteenth century tower house featuring a fine collection of furniture and decorative art, set in tranquil grounds.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

    Choose from the following selection of stately homes in West Lothian:

  • Take the A90 towards the Forth Road Bridge and visit Hopetoun House (seasonal opening) - Scotland's finest stately home. Originally built between 1699 and 1702, much of Hopetoun's original 18th century furniture and wall coverings still survive today. The house sits in 100 acres of magnificent parkland with woodland walks, a red deer park and nature trails. Groups are also invited to enjoy drinks and refreshments in the Stables tearoom.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

  • Close to Hopetoun House is Dalmeny House (seasonal opening) - home of the Earl of Rosebery. Set in beautiful grounds by the Firth of Forth, it houses superb paintings, French furniture, porcelain, tapestries and a Napoleonic collection.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

  • Continue further into West Lothian to Linlithgow and the House Of The Binns (seasonal opening) - occupied by the Dalyell family for over 350 years and displaying fine collections of portraits, period furniture and porcelain.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

  • Not far away is Linlithgow Palace (HS) - the birthplace of three monarchs including Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542. Under the care of Historic Scotland, this extensive home of Scotland's Stewart Kings is a regular venue for historic performances and re-enactments.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

    Day 2 - East Lothian

  • Head six miles east of Edinburgh to the historic village of Inveresk and the Inveresk Lodge Garden - an attractive terraced garden with colourful displays throughout the year but especially during the Summer with its wide range of roses and shrubs.
    Visit Time - 45 mins

  • Continue along the A199 to Haddington and Lennoxlove House (seasonal opening) - home of the Duke of Hamilton with furniture, paintings and mementoes of Mary, Queen of Scots.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

  • Take the A6137 and the A198 to Dirleton for a visit to Dirleton Castle - a romantic 12th century castle often in the forefront of Scottish history. The gardens were added in the 16th century and include an arts and craft herbaceous border and Victorian garden.
    Visit Time - 45 mins

  • Enjoy lunch in Dirleton or nearby North Berwick. Try the Nether Abbey Hotel or the Macdonald Marine Hotel.

  • Continue along the A198 to North Berwick and Tantallon Castle - a formidable castle set on the cliff¿s edge with views of the Bass Rock.
    Visit Time - 45 mins

  • Rejoin the A198 and the A1 to the seaside town of Dunbar. Visit John Muir Country Park - named after the great 19th century conservationist who established America's first National Parks. You can also visit his newly re-opened birthplace, transformed into a stunning Interpretative Centre highlighting the work of the man known as 'the father of modern conservation'.
    Visit Time - 1 Hour

  • Travel back to Edinburgh on the A1 with one last stop at Craigmillar Castle, 2 ½ miles south east of the city centre. Built in the 14th Century, James V resided at the Castle in 1517, and it was here that Mary, Queen of Scots fled after the murder of David Rizzio, her favourite secretary, and plotted the murder of her husband Lord Darnley.
    Visit Time - 45 Mins

    Or why not visit Midlothian?

  • Crichton Castle (seasonal opening) is a large sophisticated castle on the A68 west of Pathhead village

  • Rosslyn Chapel, built in the 15th Century, is the most outstanding Gothic church in Scotland. Situated off the A701 between Edinburgh and Penicuik.

    • Back to City & Area Guide.