Craigcrook Castle

Craigcrook Castle stands on the western edge of Edinburgh, about three miles from the city centre. It is a 17th-century building with later additions, set near Corstorphine Hill. The name comes from the curve in the hillside where the castle sits. The lands once belonged to the Graham family in the 14th century before passing through several owners. The Adamson family built or rebuilt the castle in the 16th century. The castle is best known for its literary connections in the 19th century. Francis Jeffrey, Lord Jeffrey, hosted gatherings attended by writers such as Charles Dickens and Sir Walter Scott. The poet Gerald Massey wrote a poem inspired by the castle. The building also has a billiard room added in the late 19th century. Its interior includes murals by David Roberts and work by William Playfair. Visitors find a mix of architectural styles inside and out. The main block is three storeys high with crow-stepped gables. A round tower and a square tower stand at opposite corners. The garden is enclosed by a 17th-century wall with an arched gateway dated 1626. The castle’s exterior shows signs of its long history, from its Z-plan origins to later extensions.