Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Lauriston Castle is a 16th-century tower house with 19th-century extensions overlooking the Firth of Forth. The castle stood on this site in medieval times but was almost totally destroyed in the raids on Edinburgh in 1544 by the earl of Hertford.

A tower house was re-built around 1590 by Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston, father of John Napier, for his younger son, also named Archibald. Later, it was the home of John Law (1671–1729), the economist, Right Hon. Andrew Lord Rutherfurd (1791–1854), and Thomas Macknight Crawfurd of Cartsburn and Lauriston Castle, 8th Baron of Cartsburn from 1871 to 1902. In 1827, Thomas Allan, a banker and mineralogist, commissioned William Burn (1789–1870) to extend the house in the Jacobean style.

William Robert Reid, proprietor of Morison & Co., an Edinburgh cabinetmaking business, acquired Lauriston Castle in 1902, installed modern plumbing and electricity, and he and his wife Margaret filled the house with a collection of fine furniture and artwork. The Reids, being childless, left their home to Scotland on the condition that it should be preserved unchanged. The City of Edinburgh has administered the house since Mrs Reid's death in 1926, which today offers a glimpse of Edwardian life in a Scottish country house.

In 1905, during one of its numerous refurbishments, a stone carving of an astrological horoscope was installed in the outer wall, on the southwest corner. The horoscope was reputedly done by John Napier for his brother. It can be seen in some pictures on the front wall, beneath the left-most stair tower, near the ground.

Lauriston Castle was originally a four-storey, stone L plan tower house, with a circular stair tower, with two storey angle turrets complete with gun loops. A Jacobean range was added in 1827, to convert it to a country manor. This was designed by the prominent architect William Burn.

The gardens at Lauriston include a notable Japanese garden of one hectare. The garden, built by Takashi Sawano, and dedicated as the Edinburgh-Kyoto Friendship Garden, opened in August 2002.

References:

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User Reviews

S Joss (9 months ago)
Visited gardens only. Nice gardens, parking (I was on crutches so needed set down). Small friendly cafe, does drinks, ice cream etc. With outside seating. I didn't get to see too much of grounds but it was a nice place to sit in the sun. Toilets were locked which is a shame not sure what their hours are

Connor Hughes (10 months ago)
Lovely castle and grounds that are free to roam. Guided tours can be purchased for the castle house itself, though. Mimi’s Cafe onsite. Dog-friendly and wonderfully quiet and peaceful on most weekdays. A gem so close to the rest of the city! Japanese garden is a major highlight! Cherry blossoms were beautiful!

Blue Poppy (11 months ago)
Gorgeous and accessible castle and grounds in the city outskirts. Walking around the gardens is free and there are also payable guided tours and events in the castle itself. On site facilities of a small cafe selling hot and cold drinks, sweet baked treats, and ice cream

Andy Lin (11 months ago)
No tickets required on Tokyo garden and outside the castle and Mimi’s bakery cafe. Lots of family with children and dogs, few joggers. Generally a good place to enjoy nature, will be even beautiful in mid May with the pink cherry blossom. Now just mid April with few white ones. You have to book and maybe pay in advance to see the interior of the house.

Verónica Díaz (14 months ago)
I enjoyed this castle a lot it's very beautiful and has an interesting story, when we arrived unfortunately there wasn't a tour, or entry not sure how it works, we only got access to the common areas such as the main garden and the Japanese garden. The castle is very nice but I wish I could have seen it from inside and learn more about this place. It needs more caring and maintenance

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