Edinburgh & Lothian
SCOTTISH CASTLES
Tantallon Castle
Location: 3m east of North Berwick off the A198, East Lothian
Contact Tantallon Castle: 01620 892727
Tantallon Castle was built in the mid-14th century by the Red Douglasses. Set on the edge of the cliffs, looking out to Bass Rock, Tantallon Castle was a stronghold of the Douglas family. It features earthwork defences & a 50ft-high 14th-century curtain wall with towers
Tantallon Castle was strengthened to resist artillery in the 16th century. The 8th Earl was the last of the Douglases to reside at Tantallon Castle. By 1650, the Castle had become an army base for raids against Cromwell during his advance on Scotland.
Cromwell's Covenanters, led by General Monk, took Tantallon in 1651 after twelve days bombardment: the castle was never inhabited again. Tantallon Castle has been state property - run by Historic Scotland - since 1924.
E-mail: hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Tantallon Castle closed Thu afternoons & Fri in Winter.
Buildings nearby include the Scottish Seabird Centre in Nortn Berwick
Scottish Architecture: best scottish buildings of the last three decades
Scottish Castle
Scottish Country House
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Contact Tantallon Castle: +44 (0)1620 892727
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