Hailes Castle

Hailes Castle Details

Hailes Castle, a ruined C13-14 courtyard castle of the Gourlays and Hepburns, damaged and abandoned C17.

  • Closest To: Haddington, East Linton
  • Access: Free Public Access
  • Grid Reference: NT575758

Hailes Castle is a ruined courtyard and tower dating back to perhaps the 13th century on a sloping site above a river confluence in East Lothian. It is free to enter at all times, and has a dedicated car park of small size adjacent. First consisting of a walled courtyard built by the earls of Dunbar, Hailes was then occupied by the de Gourlay family, who may previously have been Dunbar tenants. In the mid 14th century the family were forfeited and Hailes was granted to the Hepburn family.

The Hepburns erected a large tower house at the eastern end of the castle, which played little part in the Wars of Independence, perhaps having been sacked and abandoned. It was, however, repeatedly attacked and damaged in the 15th and 16th centuries, during which time a western extension was added to the castle, including a new tower house. Following the forfeiture of the Hepburn earl of Bothwell, the castle passed to the Seton family, who sold it (damaged by Cromwell’s men) to David Dalrymple. The Dalrymples chose to abandon the old castle in the 18th century in favour of Newhailes House, and left it to decay.

Official Historic Scotland page

HES Canmore database entry

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