Scotland is a country rife with cinematic landscapes, medieval villages, and mystical fortresses, and every year, many lovers of mythology and architecture alike flock to the Gaelic land to explore the very corridors once roamed by earls, kings, and other noble Scots.
One such palace is the now ruined Crichton Castle Scotland, which has a vast and sordid history including murder plots, distinguished families fallen from grace, and accusations of witchcraft….
Crichton Castle Scotland History
Before visiting, why not whet your appetite on everything there is to know about Crichton Castle?
Like most of Scotland’s chateaus, Crichton Castle has a colourful history that stretches back multiple centuries.
What was once a stately home of generations of notable families is now a ruinous structure that is said to be haunted. But we’ll get to that in a minute.
Rewind back to its heyday and Crichton Castle proudly protruded over the River Tyne, 2 miles south of the village of Pathhead in Midlothian. Construction of the regal castle began at the end of the 1400s.
Murder Most Foul
During the Crichtons’ dwelling at the castle, an elaborate plot was conceived known to historians as The Black Dinner, which was a banquet given to the 6th Earl of Douglas, a young man named William Douglas, and his younger brother, where the two boys were murdered in a premeditated plan.
Documents surrounding the where’s and why’s of this incident are murky. However, most historians agree that the boys’ own father was to blame, as he inherited his sons’ wealth and titles – and was one of the individuals who arranged the dinner party.
Suspected Witchcraft
During the following century, the esteemed Crichton family soon fell into bad odour with their contemporaries, and the castle was ‘passed’ to the Earls of Bothwell. This is where the supposed witchcraft came into play.
In the 1580s, Francis Stewart, the 5th Earl of Bothwell, had recently finished adding impressive renovations to the castle, including a Renaissance-style north range, which featured an elaborate diamond-patterned facade, when he was accused of witchcraft by King James VI himself.
Fleeing what would have been an ugly fate suffered by so many supposed witches, which included torture, imprisonment, and execution by being burnt at the stake, Stewart died in Europe a ‘disgraced’ man.
After this, the castle fell into neglect and eventually became inhabitable. It is now owned by the Historic Environment Scotland.
Historic Environment Scotland
Like many of Scotland’s historical and cultural sites, Crichton Castle is under the care of the government. The Historic Environment Scotland’s purpose is to preserve and promote the country’s celebrated environments and artifacts.
Much like the National Trust, you can purchase a membership, which allows you to visit places like Crichton Castle for free.
Why Visit Crichton Castle?
So, just because the castle is in ruins, it doesn’t mean a visit to the site can’t be a fascinating day out.
For starters, lovers of architecture will be in awe of this site – even in its current state – mostly the notable courtyard wall constructed by Francis Stewart, the 5th Earl of Bothwell, before his exile to Naples.
Before anyone could utter the word ‘witchcraft’, Steward had travelled extensively throughout Europe and is believed to have been inspired by the Palazzo dei Diamante in Ferrara, Italy, when he constructed the wall.
Those enamored with the British royals will be delighted to know that the infamous native queen, Mary Queen of Scots, had ties to Crichton Castle. The queen was married to the 4th Earl of Bothwell, who resided at the castle for a period.
Beside the ruins is the infamous Collegiate Church, which was built by one of the castle’s former residents, Sir William Crichton, who was the Chancellor of Scotland at the time. This is also very appealing for lovers of history and architecture alike.
Finally, fans of rural beauty and hiking trails with some seriously stunning views will love this area.
Getting to Crichton Castle
Visiting the castle can be challenging without the aid of a vehicle, so we highly recommend hiring a car.
Once you get to Crichton in the Midlothian area, your best bet is to follow the advice of Secret Scotland: “The approach to Crichton Castle is via a rough farm track of a few hundred metres. When you first see the castle standing on its lonely defensive position above the river Tyne, you have the impression of a forbidding fortress. The refined architecture of the courtyard then comes as a surprise.”
Places to Stay Near Crichton Castle
Whatever your budget, rest your weary travelling head in one of these accommodation options.
The Powfoot Hotel, Annan
This pristine 19th-century house is located in the stunning Scottish countryside and is a short walk from the beach.
A popular spot for golfers, owing to the nearby Powfoot Golf Course, this hotel is also favoured by nature lovers, and many surrounding areas are owned by the Wetlands & Wildfowl Trust.
Popular amenities:
- Bar & restaurant
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Room service
The Sun Inn
Located in the Dalkeith area of Midlothian, the Sun Inn is the ideal spot for those touring local hotspots, such as Crichton Castle, Dalhousie Castle, Rosslyn Chapel, and Bonnyrigg (the UK’s extraterrestrial answer to Roswell, FYI!).
This charming accommodation has an old-school English charm to it but with plenty of modern glamour and creature comforts.
Popular amenities:
- Bar & restaurant
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Bathtub
Lasswade Cottage
Those looking to rent an actual property can enjoy this enchanting, cosy stone cottage, which features 2 bedrooms and is a 25-minute car journey from Edinburgh City.
The property sleeps 4 and is ideal for a couples’ getaway, with guests being able to enjoy al fresco dining in the garden (weather permitting!).
Popular amenities:
- Fireplace
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Deck & patio
The Juniperlea Inn
This snuggly brick cottage may look like a quaint bothy on the outside but on the inside is pure luxury.
Located in Pathhead, this cosy bed and breakfast is a 9-minute drive from Glenkinchie Distillery, for those wanting to sample a dram or two of Scotland’s finest export!
Popular amenities:
- Pet-friendly
- Bar & restaurant
- Housekeeping
- Free parking.
Pine Lodge
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re staying in the heart of Yellowstone National Park with this rural log cabin in the Gorebridge area.
The holiday home features 3 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace, and is very spacious (it’s 1044 ft² in size). Oh, and there’s a hot tub!
Popular amenities:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Hot tub
- Free parking
- Barbecue facilities
- Pets allowed
Places to Eat Near Crichton Castle
All that lowland traversing and Scottish breeze can work up an appetite, and luckily, there are plenty of eatery options to indulge in:
- Crichton Central Café & Bar
- Bankend Bar & Brasserie at the Holiday Inn
- Club Bar 1 at the Crichton Golf Club
- Easterbrook Bistro, Bar, & Spa
- Rutherford McCowan Coffee Bar
Hiking Near Crichton Castle
As we mentioned earlier, Crichton is a splendid area for those who love nothing more than a good hike.
As lovers of the outdoors ourselves, we recommend the Gorebridge hike that takes you from Bothwick to Crichton. This 5.1-km out-and-back trail is generally considered a ‘moderate’ hike, so it suits most levels of hikers and takes roughly 1.45 mins to complete.
Owing to Scotland’s relaxed attitude towards wild camping, this area is great for those looking to pitch a tent or park their motorhome and is a great spot for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
This area is pretty rural, so those travelling from out of town are advised to rent a car, as opposed to relying on public transport.
Crichton Castle Photoshoot
Those planning a Scotland adventure photoshoot will be delighted to know that Crichton Castle is one of many gorgeous spots for a magical session.
Whether you’re a newly-engaged couple, a solo traveller, a family of 5, or anyone in between, I would be glad to spend the day snapping some photographic keepsakes of you and these mesmerising castle ruins.
Crichton Castle Scotland FAQs
Formerly owned by the varying Earls of Bothwell, Crichton Castle now belongs to the Historic Environment Scotland, a Scottish government agency.
Initially constructed as a tower house in the 14th century, Crichton Castle expanded as its namesake did. The oldest part of the property was built by John de Crichton at around 1400.
Although there is no official documentation to state this, Castle Sween in Knapdale, Argyll, is said to be the oldest castle on Scotland’s mainland, with archeological details hinting at its conception in the 1100s.
Crichton Castle is open for the public to visit between the hours of 9.30 am and 5.30 pm.
Crichton Castle can be found in the village of Crichton in the Midlothian area of Scotland and is just under 40 minutes from Edinburgh by car.
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