Crichton Castle

Crichton Castle stands in Midlothian, near the village of Crichton, about three kilometres south of Pathhead and the same distance east of Gorebridge. It sits at the head of the River Tyne, surrounded by open countryside. The ruins include a 14th-century tower house and later additions from the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle was once held by the powerful Crichton family before passing to the Earls of Bothwell. Its most striking feature is the Italianate north range, built in the 1580s with a patterned stone façade. The castle’s history is marked by political intrigue and shifting loyalties. William Crichton, Lord Chancellor of Scotland, rebuilt it after an attack in 1445. Later, the 4th Earl of Bothwell hosted Mary, Queen of Scots, at his daughter’s wedding in 1562. The castle was besieged in 1559 and again lost after Bothwell’s involvement in the murder of Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley. Its final owner, Francis Stewart, designed the Italianate range before fleeing to Italy. Visitors walk through the ruined courtyard surrounded by four linked buildings. The oldest tower has a vaulted basement and hall, though part of it has collapsed. The north range shows the diamond-patterned façade inspired by Italian palaces. Inside, a modern staircase leads to upper floors, and a stable block with lodgings stands to the south. The castle’s dramatic ruins and historical layers make it a compelling place to explore.