Castles near Edinburgh: a guide
There's plenty to see within a couple of hours drive of Edinburgh and a stay with us at Seton Sands.
Below, we’ve listed ten of the best examples of grand architecture and opulence which are open to the public and accessible by car. If you’re ready to learn how the other half live, dig in and enjoy our guide to castles near Edinburgh!
Edinburgh Castle
11 miles from Seton Sands
No listing of Edinburgh Castles would make sense without prime position being given to Edinburgh’s best-known landmark. Sitting on its impressive Castle Rock, it can be seen from all over the city, and is well-worth a tour. Highlights include the vaulted Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel, and the Stone of Destiny, used in the crowning of Scottish (and British) Kings and Queens.
If you’re visiting during the Edinburgh Festival, consider getting tickets to the extraordinary Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held annually on the Castle Esplanade. It’s a remarkable display of music, military precision, dance, and pageantry, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display.
Aberdour Castle
38 miles from Seton Sands
The Kingdom of Fife is well-worth visiting, including its East Neuk fishing villages, which are among Scotland’s hidden gems. On the way to the likes of Anstruther or Crail, make sure you check out Aberdour Castle, rumoured to be Scotland’s oldest standing castle, with the remains of an early 12th-century hall standing adjacent to the intact 17th-century portion of the building.
Maintained for the public by Historic Environment Scotland, the castle includes a long gallery, impressive painted ceilings and a doocot (dovecot).
Craigmillar Castle
10 miles from Seton Sands
South of Edinburgh, situated in Craigmillar Castle Park is the castle of the same name, which dates to the 14th century, but is partially ruined today. Mary Queen of Scots famously stayed here, following the birth of her son, the future James VI (later James I of the unified crowns and translator of the Bible).
Extended in the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle features an impressive square tower which provides stunning views. There are dramatic features, a family chapel, and extensive grounds. The Castle is open to the public daily and is well-maintained by Historic Environment Scotland.
Dalkeith Palace
9 miles from Seton Sands
Regarded as one of the finest examples of early classical homes in Scotland, Dalkeith Palace was completed in 1711 and sits in beautifully sculpted, inviting grounds, just southeast of Edinburgh. The palace was built for the 1st Duchess of Buccleuch by noted architect James Smith and developed out of an earlier medieval castle.
The Country Park’s extensive grounds (over 1000 acres) have been protected as Sight of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with trees over 90 years old, a stable yard, and ornate circular orangery. It’s a great place to walk your dog (on a lead) or exercise with the kids with many miles of trails, bluebell groves and a winding river with historic bridges.
Dunbar Castle
18 miles from Seton Sands
If you’d rather head east and want to see one of Scotland’s oldest seaside castles, drive inland via the historic hamlet of East Linton to Dunbar. A word of caution though – there’s little left of this fortification, which has been situated on a rocky promontory since the 7th century, with the first stone structure built in the 11th century.
Throughout Pict, Viking and medieval eras, the castle was besieged, occupied, disassembled, and rebuilt, with the existing stonework dating to the 12th century. The remains are very ruined yet photogenic and there’s a nearby museum where you can find out more. Dunbar also boasts the birthplace of Scottish conservationist John Muir, now a museum too.
Lauriston Castle
18 miles from Seton Sands
If you’re visiting Cramond, a trip to Lauriston Castle and Museum is well worth a visit, but visits to the house itself must be pre-booked in advance. The beautiful grounds are open to the public, and there’s Mimi’s Little Bakehouse for takeaway snacks.
The castle is an historic tower house with later extensions, with views over the Firth of Forth. The home of the Napier family (Alexander Napier became Lord Lauriston) since the 17th century, the building resembles a country manor more than a fortification and has a largely Edwardian interior.
The gardens, where many events are held, contains a bluebell wood, Japanese garden, and many money puzzle trees.
Linlithgow Palace
33 miles from Seton Sands
Around an hour’s drive west of Seton Sands, on the other side of Edinburgh, lies the town of Linlithgow. It contains a beautifully preserved 1400s palace, previously a principal residence of the Scottish monarchs. It’s known for its “crossed swords” crown steeple, decorating its square tower.
The castle reached its prime under extensive renovations by James I and his successors, and was a favoured home of the Stewart Queens, including Mary Queen of Scots, who was born there. The great hall and James IV’s royal apartments are particularly luxurious highlights of any visit.
Also notable are the three-tiered courtyard fountain and James VI’s north quarter, one of the latest additions, partially destroyed by fire in 1746.
Blackness Castle
34 miles from Seton Sands
Linlithgow boasts not one, but two castles, with Blackness occupying a commanding position on the Firth of Forth, overlooking the Victorian rail bridge. Hugely fortified, this castle from the 1400s featured as a key location in the TV series Outlander.
Its imposing appearance is no accident since the castle chiefly functioned as a garrison fortress and a state prison. visitors can walk the ramparts and take in the stunning views of the Firth of Forth and its bridges. The castle’s dominating appearance and three stone masts earned it the nickname “the ship that never sailed.”
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Brand new holiday homes from £34,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom ABI New Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 19 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Church Farm, Cala Gran, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Seashore, Seaview and Thornwick Bay.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £33,995 and will remain at this price until all available stock is sold.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at Berwick, Burnham-on-Sea, Devon Cliffs, Doniford Bay, Hafan y Mor, Kent Coast, Lakeland, Marton Mere, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Seton Sands and Weymouth Bay.
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Combe Haven, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Golden Sands, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, Skegness, The Orchards, Quay West and Wild Duck only until the stock has been sold. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
New holiday homes from £29,995 – reduced from £33,995
Holiday home price is for a new 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton Extra holiday and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
From 12 July 2024 the holiday home price is reduced from £37,995 to £29,995 until 31 August 2024 at which point it will revert to £33,995. At Far Grange the holiday home price point is reduced from £33,995 and will revert to this price on 31 August 2024.
The holiday home price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024 this price is available at – Blue Dolphin, Caister-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Haggerston Castle, The Orchards, Quay West, and Wild Duck
Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995
Holiday home price is based on a Bronze Grade pre-owned holiday home 6 years or older and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 12 July 2024, price is available at all parks, excluding Cala Gran, Church Farm, Cardigan View, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Kiln Park, Littlesea, Lydstep Beach, Orchards, Penally Court, Perran Sands, Rockley Park, Riviere Sands, Seashore, Seaview, Skegness and Thornwick Bay.
Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Free 2024 site fees when you buy a Haven holiday home
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 19 April 2024, completing by 31 December 2024.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on new & pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Kent Coast, Burnham-on-Sea, Cleethorpes Beach, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Hopton, Orchards, Skegness and Wild Duck.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2024 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.