Craigmillar Castle is a ruined 14th-century tower house and courtyard castle on the south-eastern edge of Edinburgh, Scotland, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was last updated in September 2026. Unlike some older guides, it reflects the current closure of the castle’s Northwest Gilmour Tower and the latest online ticket prices, both confirmed on the official Historic Environment Scotland website.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily, 9.30am–5pm (1 Apr–30 Sep); 10am–4pm (1 Oct–31 Mar); 10am–2pm on 24 Dec; closed 25–26 Dec and 1–2 Jan |
| Ticket prices | Adult £7.50 online (£8.50 in person); Concession £6 (£6.80); Child (7–15) £4.50 (£5); members and carers free |
| Address | Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SY |
| Nearest transport | Bus to stops on Peffermill Road or Old Dalkeith Road, then a 15-minute walk; on-site car parking is very limited |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours |
Craigmillar Castle opening hours
Craigmillar Castle opens daily throughout the year, though hours change with the season.
- 1 April to 30 September: daily, 9.30am to 5pm
- 1 October to 31 March: daily, 10am to 4pm
- 24 December: daily, 10am to 2pm
- Closed 25 and 26 December, and 1 and 2 January
- Last entry is 30 minutes before closing (1pm on 24 December)
The Northwest Gilmour Tower is currently closed to visitors while conservation work continues. The rest of the castle, including the main tower house and courtyard, remains open as normal.
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- Let an expert guide take you around Edinburgh’s Harry Potter locations.
Craigmillar Castle ticket prices
Booking online in advance gives the best-value ticket price for Craigmillar Castle.
| Type | Online (best value) | In person |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Free | Free |
| Adult | £7.50 | £8.50 |
| Concession | £6 | £6.80 |
| Child (7–15) | £4.50 | £5 |
Family tickets, the Explorer Pass, and partner-organisation tickets are also available; check the official site for current family pricing.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026. Book tickets on the official Historic Environment Scotland site.
Craigmillar Castle is covered by the Edinburgh City Pass and the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass. The Edinburgh City Pass also includes Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, the Dynamic Earth science museum, the Holyrood Distillery Tour, and the Scott Monument Museum.
How to get to Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle is best reached by bus, on foot, or by bicycle, since car parking on-site is very limited.
- By bus: regular services run from central Edinburgh to stops on Peffermill Road and Old Dalkeith Road, both about a 15-minute walk from the castle through the park.
- By bike: a 10-minute cycle from the Innocent Railway Tunnel on National Cycle Network Route 1, though part of the route uses busy roads. Cycle parking is available at the visitor centre.
- On foot: there is no pavement along Craigmillar Castle Road itself, so use the pedestrian paths through the surrounding park instead.
- Address: Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SY.
Parking at Craigmillar Castle
Car parking at Craigmillar Castle is very limited, and spaces cannot be guaranteed.
Historic Environment Scotland recommends travelling by bus, on foot, or by bike instead. Coach and minibus groups should email the ticketing team to check space availability before booking, since capacity is restricted.
How long to spend at Craigmillar Castle
Most visitors spend between one and one and a half hours at Craigmillar Castle. This is enough time to explore the tower house, courtyard, and grounds, with some extra time for photographs or a stop at the visitor centre.
Accessibility at Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle offers step-free access to the visitor centre and courtyard, though the upper floors of the tower are not wheelchair accessible.
- Visitors with disabilities pay standard admission but are not required to show proof of disability; up to two accompanying carers enter free per transaction.
- Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site, including roofed areas; visitors’ own dogs are also allowed on a lead but must stay out of roofed areas.
- The car park has a level, tarmac surface with one accessible bay.
- A gently inclined, 100-metre tarmac path links the visitor centre to the castle, with a bench roughly halfway.
- Inside, the castle has five levels. The upper floors are reached by narrow, uneven spiral staircases with a single rope handrail and low light levels. Ask staff for advice if this route is not suitable for you.
Inside Craigmillar Castle: what to see
The 14th-century L-plan tower house is one of the oldest in Scotland, rising through five levels that include a great hall and a prison.
Visitors can see the room where Mary, Queen of Scots stayed in 1566, while recovering from illness following the birth of her son, later James VI.
From the top of the tower, the views take in Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Park across the city.
The courtyard and surrounding walls date mainly from the 15th and 16th centuries, added as the Preston family expanded the original tower house.
In the grounds, look for the remains of a fishpond laid out in the shape of the letter P, for the Preston family.
The west range holds 17th-century apartments built for the Gilmour family, who bought the castle in 1660 and renovated it before it eventually fell into ruin.
At the entrance stand a pair of yew trees believed to be more than 400 years old.
Craigmillar Castle has appeared as a filming location for the television series Outlander and the film Outlaw King.
Practical visitor tips for Craigmillar Castle
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive soon after opening, at 9.30am in summer or 10am in winter, for the quietest visit. |
| Crowds | Craigmillar Castle receives far fewer visitors than Edinburgh Castle, so queuing is rarely an issue. |
| Layout | The castle spans five levels connected by narrow, uneven stone stairs, so wear flat, sturdy shoes. |
| Entry process | Book tickets online in advance to secure the lower price, then bring a printed or digital copy to enter. |
| On-site logistics | The visitor centre has a small shop and a self-service tea and coffee point, but no hot food. |
Frequently asked questions about Craigmillar Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Craigmillar Castle suitable for children? | Yes. Children can explore the courtyard and lower floors freely, though the upper towers involve steep, narrow stairs. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Craigmillar Castle? | Booking online is not compulsory, but it secures the lowest ticket price and guarantees entry. |
| Is Craigmillar Castle open on Sundays? | Yes. The castle opens daily throughout the year, except 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January. |
| Are dogs allowed at Craigmillar Castle? | Yes, on a lead, but not in roofed areas of the castle. Assistance dogs may go anywhere on site. |
| Is Craigmillar Castle wheelchair accessible? | The visitor centre and courtyard are step-free, but the upper floors are reached only by narrow spiral stairs. |
Things to do near Craigmillar Castle
- Holyrood Park: A large area of parkland and hills in the heart of Edinburgh, around 2 miles from the castle.
- Holyrood Abbey and Palace Gardens: The ruined abbey and gardens founded by David I in 1128, around 3 miles away; not included in the Explorer Pass.
- St Triduana’s Chapel, Restalrig Collegiate Church: A remarkable 15th-century building around 3 miles away, open on open days or guided tours only.
- Edinburgh Castle: Scotland’s best-known castle, around 3 miles from Craigmillar; booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry.
- Trinity House: A maritime heritage building in Leith, around 4 miles from the castle.
Alternative attractions to Craigmillar Castle
- Stirling Castle: A major royal castle around 50 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh, ticketed through the same Historic Environment Scotland system.
- Linlithgow Palace: The ruined birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, around 25 minutes’ drive west of Edinburgh.
- Tantallon Castle: A cliff-top 14th-century stronghold on the East Lothian coast, around an hour’s drive from Edinburgh.
- Dirleton Castle: A 13th-century castle with gardens in East Lothian, around 50 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh.
- Doune Castle: A well-preserved medieval Scottish castle near Stirling, around an hour’s drive from Edinburgh.
More Edinburgh travel
Other Edinburgh travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guides to Mons Meg and the One O’Clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle.
- The 8 best attractions and experiences in Edinburgh – including the Dean Village and the Royal Yacht Britannia.
- How to get to the National Monument of Scotland on Calton Hill.
- Guides to Edinburgh Old Town attractions: Dynamic Earth, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and St Giles’ Cathedral.
- Why you should book ahead for Edinburgh Zoo.
