Thirlestane Castle
- 16
Sleeps 16 / POA
Thirlestane Castle is a magnificent 16th-century castle set in a quiet meadow landscape on the outskirts of Lauder in the Scottish Borders, a charming town just over half an hour from the south of Edinburgh.
With its fairy tale façade and its parkland surroundings, Thirlestane Castle is the ultimate luxury retreat for a family gathering, group holiday or Executive Retreat.
Their beautiful Exclusive Use accommodation in the South Wing offers guests the unique opportunity to stay in a castle. There are a total of eight en-suite bedrooms across five apartments. The apartments can be booked individually, or as a group, and can sleep a total of sixteen people. All are furnished with a beautifully eclectic mix of contemporary furniture and original items from the castle collections including dramatic portraits and tactile soft furnishings.
The castle can be let on a self-catered basis, or groups can choose to be catered for in the castle’s Victorian Kitchen or in one of the State Rooms by their award-winning caterers.
Thirlestane can organise a number of tailored experiences, including chauffeur driven day trips to local woollen mills and towns such as Kelso and Melrose, chocolate and whisky tasting, visiting local historical sites including Melrose Abbey, Traquair House, Abbotsford House and Rosslyn Chapel, and even a trip to a milliners with a champagne afternoon tea!
The historic seat of the Earls and Duke of Lauderdale, Thirlestane is one of the oldest and finest inhabited castles in Scotland. Throughout its long history, Thirlestane has belonged to the Maitland family, one of the most famous in Scotland. The Maitlands came to Britain in 1066 with William the Conqueror and settled in Northumberland. In about 1260, Sir Richard Maitland married Avicia, daughter and sole heiress to Thomas du Thirlestane. It was this marriage that bought the lands of Thirlestane and others into the ownership of the Maitland family. The ruined remains of the family home at that time can still be seen two miles from the castle on the A697.
Now owned and run by a charitable trust, the castle is open to the general public as a visitor attraction throughout the summer.
Accommodation
There are a total of eight en-suite bedrooms across five apartments.
1 x 3 bedroom apartment
1 x 2 bedroom apartment
3 x 1 bedroom apartments
The apartments can be booked individually, or as a group, and can sleep a total of sixteen people.
All bedrooms have their own luxurious bathroom and each apartment has a well-equipped kitchen and sumptuous living/dining space.
The castle can be let on a self-catered basis, or groups can choose to be catered for in the castle’s Victorian Kitchen or in one of the State Rooms by their award-winning caterers.
Travel cots and high chairs are available for younger guests and there is also a playground within the castle grounds.
Thirlestane Castle is dog friendly and you will find a dog bowl and treats in each apartment.
Between May and October, the castle is open to the public every Sunday-Thursday between 10am and 4pm. Outside of these times, the peace and tranquillity of the parklands will be yours alone.
Activities
The extensive grounds are available for breath-taking walks and the estate is crossed by the Southern Upland Way.
Guests are provided with complimentary passes for the castle.
Thirlestane can organise a number of tailored experiences, including chauffeur driven day trips to local woollen mills and towns such as Kelso and Melrose, chocolate and whisky tasting, visiting local historical sites including Melrose Abbey, Traquair House, Abbotsford House and Rosslyn Chapel, and even a trip to a milliners with a champagne afternoon tea!
Should you wish, they can organise for a taxi service to and from the train station or the airport
They can also organise food hampers or even spa treatments to ensure your stay is as relaxed as possible.
It is possible to organise an exclusive guided tour of the castle by a member of the Maitland family.
Where to find Thirlestane Castle
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