Tantallon Castle , Scotland

Tantallon Castle is a mid-14th-century fortress, sited on a promontory opposite the Bass Rock, looking out onto the Firth of Forth. The last medieval curtain wall castle to be constructed in Scotland,Tantallon comprises a single wall blocking off the headland, with the other three sides naturally protected by sea cliffs. That great curtain wall of red sandstone still stands almost entire, as do the three towers in which the earls of Angus and their henchmen lived their lives.

The castle was built in an age before gunpowdered artillery existed. Its high, thick walls had simply to survive assault from stone-throwing machines, battering rams and arrows. This explains the almost complete absence of openings in the curtain wall, the concentration of defence on the battlements at the wall top, and the wide, deep ditch in front.

Tantallon was built in the mid 14th century by William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas. It was passed to his illegitimate son, later created Earl of Angus, and despite several sieges, it remained the property of his descendants for much of its history. It was besieged by King James IV in 1491, and again by James V in 1528, when extensive damage was done. Tantallon saw action in the First Bishops' War in 1639, and again during Oliver Cromwell's invasion of Scotland in 1651, when it resulted in such devastating destruction that the mighty medieval fortress was abandoned. It was sold by the Douglases in 1699, and the ruin is today in the care of Historic Scotland.

Opening Times

1 April - 30 September
Daily;9.30 am to 5.30 pm

1 October - 31 October
Daily; 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

1 November - 31 March
Sunday to Wednesday; 9.30 am to 4.30 pm

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Ticket Prices

Adult £5.00,
Child £3.00,
Concession £4.00

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Disabled Facilities

The ground floor is access only for visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility, but the grounds can be explored.

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