Castles in The Lothians

Auldhame Castle

Auldhame Castle is a ruined L-plan tower house standing on a ridge above Seacliff beach, about 3 miles east of North Berwick in East Lothian, and less than half a mile from Tantallon Castle.

Ballencrieff Castle

Ballencrieff Castle was originally built as a large tower house in 1507 by James VI’s private secretary James Murray. It is one of a chain of castles stretching from Luffness Castle on the coast at Aberlady through Ballencrieff itself, Byres Castle, Garleton Castle, Kilduff Tower (now gone), Barnes Castle, Athelstaneford Castle (also gone) and Markle Castle. In 1544 it was destroyed during the Rough Wooing, but in 1586 James’ son, John Murray, rebuilt the castle.