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Built in the 13th century, Hailes Castle sits on the River Tyne bank in East Lothian, Scotland. It passed through several owners and was attacked several times, but significant parts of Hailes Castle remain standing. The Castle is maintained by Historic Scotland and is free for day visitors to walk round the site.
Visiting Hailes Castle
Parking
Hailes Castle has limited parking on-site and limited parking around the site; Historic Environment Scotland asks that visitors be mindful not to block roads or other vehicles when they park.
Parking in this area is free.
Price
Entry to the castle site is free.
Opening
The ruins of Hailes Castle are open throughout the year and are free to visit. Opening times vary according to the seasons.
From 1 April to 30 September, Hailes Castle is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, with the last entrance at 5 pm.
From 1 October to 31 March, the castle is open from 10 am to 4:00 on, with the last entry at 3:30 pm.
To ensure that the castle is open when you are planning a visit, check HistoricEnvironment.scot.
Hailes Castle is maintained by Historic Scotland and is open to the public. Some parts of Hailes Castle have fallen to ruin. However, there are still plenty of structures for visitors to see, including:
- The inner courtyard. The inner courtyard of Hailes Castle is a grassy patch surrounded by stone walls and stairways.
- The central tower and vaulted stairway. These are both remnants of Hailes Castle’s original stonework and are some of the oldest parts of the castle that survive today.
- The West Tower. The West Tower is a square donjon that towers over the other towers near it.
- A roofless chamber. This chamber contains a ruined ambry (a space for keeping holy oils) and a piscina (a stone basin used for draining water used in a mass). These ruins suggest that the chamber was once a chapel or holy area.
- East Tower. Only one portion of the East Tower remains standing today.
As well as exploring the monument, visitors enjoy picnicking on the Hailes Castle Site, as it overlooks the river and a small forested area.
History of Hailes Castle
Hailes Castle was built in the early 1200s by the de Gourlay family. Ownership of the castle later changed in 1314, leading to structural repairs in the 1300-1400s. The castle was under attack, seized, and retaken multiple times in the following few centuries. It was given to the nation in 1926.
Timeline
-The Early 1200s (Basic Structure Built)
The de Gourlay family began building Hailes Castle in the early 1200s. It started as a simple structure with a central hall, a chamber tower, and a kitchen towel. It was located on lower ground than most castles, but a dry moat and surrounding wall protected it.
It was built with stone in style similar to the nearby East Linton church, which historians believe may have been commissioned by Lord de Gourlay.
-1314 (Ownership of the Castle Changes)
In the early 1300s, the de Gourlay family backed the English during the first Scottish War of Independence. When the English lost the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the de Gourlay’s lost Hailes Castle, and Robert the Bruce gifted it to Sir Adam de Hepburn.
-1300s – 1400s (Repairs and Extensions)
For a hundred years, the Hepburn family made continuous improvements to the castle. They extended the existing structure to make the ‘North Range’ of the castle and connected it to the ‘East Tower,’ remains of which still exist today.
To the west, they built a four-story ‘West Tower’ with stone. Hailes Castle’s impressive facade was completed with a stone curtain wall at the south. They also made improvements to the hall and added a chapel.
-1400 & 1401 (Under Attack)
In 1400, Henry Percy (Henry Hotspur), an illustrious military commander, attacked Hailes Castle, which failed. He attacked again in 1401, and failed a second time.
-1443 (More Attacks)
In 1443, Hailes Castle was attacked again - this time successfully - by Archibald Dunbar. Dunbar was reported to have killed everyone inside the castle.
Nevertheless, the Hepburn family was able to regain control of Hailes Castle.
-1547 (Seized by the English)
In the mid-15th century, control of Hailes Castle rapidly changed hands. The Hepburn family opposed the Regent, who was ruling for Mary Queen of Scots, and the Regent installed Lord Borthwick at the castle to control the Hepburn family. However, when the English won the Battle of Pinkie as a part of the War of Rough Wooing, they stormed and took over Hailes Castle.
-1548 (Retaken by the Scots)
The Scottish forces attacked Hailes Castle in 1548 and managed to regain control of it. They removed the main castle gate to ensure that the English would not be able to use it again.
-1567 (Abduction of Mary of Scots)
After the Hepburn family was re-installed at Hailes Castle, James Hepburn, the Earl of Bothwell, made several improvements to the castle's structure, including adding more residential spaces and the Tower House.
However, James Hepburn’s reign at Hailes Castle was better remembered because he abducted Mary, Queen of Scots, on 27 April 1567. He took her to Dunbar Castle, and she agreed to marry him. The pair then proceeded to Hailes Castle, where they stayed for a short time before moving to Edinburgh, where they were married.
After their marriage, Mary was forced to surrender, and James Hepburn fled to Norway to get military support from Fredrick II, King of Denmark. However, Frederick II imprisoned him, and James Hepburn lost all of his Scottish properties, including Hailes Castle.
-1650 (Attacked by Cromwell’s Forces)
After the Hepburn family lost Hailes Castle, it passed to the Stewart family and then the Seton family. However, they neglected the castle, and it began to fall into ruin.
Hailes Castle’s decline was complete when Oliver Cromwell’s forces attacked and took it apart to ensure that it wouldn’t be used as a stronghold.
-1700 (Purchased by Sir David Dalrymple)
In 1700, Sir David Dalrymple purchased Hailes Castle but quickly abandoned it when he built a new residence - ‘Newhailes’ - 20 miles (32.19 kilometres) away.
-1926 (Given to the Nation)
Hailes Castle passed into the ownership of Arthur Balfour, a former Prime Minister of Scotland. He gifted it to Scotland in 1926, and it was given to the care of Historic Environment Scotland, which continues to care for the site today.
Hailes Castle Occupants
- 13th Century - 14th Century: Occupied by the de Gourlay family
- 14th - Mid 16th Century: Occupied by the de Hepburn family, despite several attacks and takeover attempts
- Mid 16th Century: Attacked and occupied briefly by the English army
- Mid 16th Century - Late 16th Century: Retaken by the Hepburn family
- Late 16th Century - Mid 17th Century: Passed to various families, including the Stewart family and Seton family, which occupied the castle
- Mid 17th Century: Portions destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s forces
- 18th Century: Purchased by David Dalrymple, who occupied it only briefly
- Early 20th Century - Present: Cared for by the Historic Environment Scotland
Images of Hailes Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Hailes Castle Q&A
What Kind of Castle Is Hailes Castle?
Hailes Castle is a thirteenth-century stonework castle.
What Was the Primary Use of Hailes Castle?
Various noble families occupied Hailes Castle over the centuries. As it was strategically situated on the route to Edinburgh, it was also attacked several times to serve as an army base. Today, Hailes Castle is open to the general public as a historical and leisure site.
How Did Hailes Castle Get Its Name?
Hailes Castle was initially called ‘hall,’ as a nod to its impressive stone hall. Over time, the word ‘hall’ evolved into ‘Hailes,’ which gave the castle its name.
What Else Can Visitors Do Around Hailes Castle?
Hailes Castle is located in an extremely scenic environment. After exploring Hailes Castle, walk along the River Tyne. Or, walk on the path between Haddington and East Linton for some magnificent views of the castle.
Location of Hailes Castle
Hailes Castle is 1.5 metres (4.92 feet) southwest of East Linton and is accessible by vehicle. You can also find a cycling route to Hailes Castle by referring to the National Cycling Routes or look at Traveline Scotland for a public transport route.