Thirlestane Castle

Book now from £18.50

Guided tours to Thirlestane Castle open in May 2025

Visit Thirlestane Castle for one of the best historic days out in Scotland for families

Enjoy a vast journey through history at Thirlestane Castle in Scotland in one of the best things to do in Scotland for families! 

  • Explore over 400 years of history at a luxurious historic home
  • A passionate guide to take you on an in-depth tour of the site 
  • Gaze in awe at some of the most impressive decorated ceilings in Europe
  • Discover extensive family collections of portraits and busts in Scotland
  • Enjoy a complimentary hot refreshment and a Scottish treat!

Just under an hour away from Edinburgh, you can get your tickets to Thirlestane Castle today for the best prices online! Tickets are delivered to you instantly via email and SMS. 

Book your tickets to unforgettable family days out in Scotland

Dating back to the 16th century, Thirlestane Castle is one of the oldest and finest inhabited castles in Scotland. It is the ancient seat of the Earls and Duke of Lauderdale and has been home to the Maitland family for over 400 years.

Discover fascinating collections and connections to famous historic figures, including the connection to Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots.

Explore the splendid State Rooms with their exquisite 17th century Dunsterfield gold-gilded ceilings and one of the most extensive family collections of portraits and busts in Scotland. The latest tour addition includes the enchanting Toy Museum ‘School Room’, featuring an impressive collection of over 1,000 Georgian, Edwardian, and Victorian toys.

Book your tickets today for a Guided Tour at Thirlestane Castle!

Berwickshire TD2 6RU
Show on Google Maps

How to find us

By car: 

Driving south from Edinburgh:

  • Take the A68 south towards Jedburgh. Drive through the centre of Lauder and look out for the 30mph signs as you leave the town. Directly after these signs, take the first left onto the B6362 following the brown tourist signs for the castle. Approximately 200m further on you will see the castle’s Eagle Gates on the left. Turn into these gates and follow the drive to the front of the castle. 

Driving from the south:

  • Take the A68 north towards Edinburgh. Right before you reach the town of Lauder turn right onto the B6362 following the brown tourist signs for the castle. Approximately 200m further on you will see the castle’s Eagle Gates on the left. Turn into these gates and follow the drive to the wooden gate. If staying at the castle press the buzzer by the wooden gate, if visiting for the day please make use of the car park by the ticket kiosk.

By train:

Train services run from Edinburgh Waverley to the Scottish Borders, run seven days a week and take just under an hour. Option to get off at Stow or Tweedbank. Visitors can transfer to local buses at Tweedbank Station, or hop in a taxi from either train station. Thirlestane Castle is a 20-minute drive from Tweedbank and 10 minutes from Stow.

By bus: 

Bus services run from Edinburgh to Lauder every hour on most days, and take around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Look for the No.51.

  • Gift shop
  • Tea room
  • Toilets

The tour normally takes around one hour and 15 minutes.

The lower ground floor and the ground floor both have step-free level access as the castle is built on a hill.

The visitor tour takes in the upper two floors, the ground floor and the first floor, but there is no lift to the first floor. 

The gift shop and tea room on the lower ground floor have step-free access.

The guides at Thirlestane Castle are always willing to offer assistance should you require it.

Dogs are not permitted on guided tours of the castle, with the exception of assistance dogs. 

You might also like

Save up to 2%

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

Book yourself tickets to the King's official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history

Save up to 5%

Harry Potter Hogwarts - Jacobite Steam Train

Book Jacobite Steam Train tickets and experience the Hogwarts Express journey across the Scottish Highlands, made famous by Harry Potter!

Save up to 5%

Scotland: Forth Boat Tours

Discover one of Scotland's most famous rivers as you take a leisurely cruise along the Firth of the Forth with Forth Boat Tours! Suitable for all ages

Save up to 2%

Abbotsford - The Home of Sir Walter Scott

Walk in the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott as you explore his fairytale-like home at Abbotsford

Melrose

The Edinburgh Dungeon

Exclusive 20% off Edinburgh Dungeon tickets! Enjoy a great day out for the whole family in one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions.

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo, a gateway to the natural world where people can experience nature and learn about exotic wildlife!

Edinburgh: Holyrood Distillery

Book Holyrood Distillery tickets! One of the best whisky and gin tours in Edinburgh at Edinburgh's newest distillery near Holyrood Palace

The Scotch Whisky Experience

Explore the stories and tastes behind the world's largest collection of scotch whisky when you take a tour of Edinburgh's Scotch Whisky Experience

The Real Mary King's Close

Journey back in time to a 17th-century street, where ghastly tales come alive at the Real Mary King's Close in Edinburgh

Alnwick Castle

Go back in time and experience 950 years of history in Northumberland when you visit Alnwick Castle