Hailes Castle, Scotland

Hailes Castle is a 14th century riverside castle which belonged to the Hepburn family during the most important centuries of its existence.

The castle was originally founded as a fortified tower house by Hugo de Gourlay before 1300. The land was later forfeited by order of the Scottish Crown and Hailes Castle was granted to Sir Adam de Hepburn in the mid 14th century.

In 1400 the castle successfully withstood an attack from Harry Hotspur Percy, in league with the Earl of March. The attackers were defeated afterwards in a counter-attack led by Archibald, Master of Douglas.

In 1451, Sir Patrick Hepburn, significantly extended the castle, adding a huge tower of at least four storeys to the west of the original construction, and a lower tower to the East to form a long north range. The thick curtain wall of the castle may date back to the 13th century.

In 1547 Lord Grey of Wilton occupied Hailes Castle for the English in 1547 during the Rough Wooing. In 1567 James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, entertained Mary, Queen of Scots, at Hailes Castle. Hailes Castle were later forfeited to the Scottish Crown.

Oliver Cromwell partly slighted the building in 1650 after the battle of Dunbar. It later passed into the hands of the Stewarts, the Setons, and finally, in 1700, the Dalrymple of Hailes family. By the mid-19th century the castle was being used as a granary, Sir David Dalrymple having taken advantage of the more settled times to move his family to the mansion of New Hailes.

There are parking and picnic facilities at the site.

Opening Times

Any reasonable time.

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Ticket Prices

Admission to the site is free.

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

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