Scotland · Partial ruin
Hailes Castle
Hailes Castle is a medieval fortress on a promontory above the River Tyne in East Lothian, Scotland. Largely 14th century in origin with significant 15th- and 16th-century additions, its most prominent surviving element is a massive square West Tower (donjon) and the enclosing curtain wall; it is a scheduled monument in state guardianship.
Its prime
1548
Today
Partial ruin
As it stood in 1548
The shape it held in its prime.
Perched on a rocky river promontory above the River Tyne, the castle presents a long curtain wall of pinkish-brown sandstone pierced by rectangular window and arrow slits. A dominant square West Tower (donjon) of at least four storeys anchors the west end; a lower East Tower and a continuous north range link the keep to the curtain. In prime the ranges and towers would be roofed with pitched roofs, with intact battlements and a fortified gate at the approach from the river.
Its story
The story of Hailes Castle.
Hailes Castle stands on a promontory of the Scottish River Tyne, blocking a strategic route and preying on the road to Edinburgh. Within its 13th-century curtain wall is a 14th-century keep, and the castle belonged to the Hepburn family during the most important centuries of its existence — though it was the de Gourlays, a Northumbrian family, who built the central tower, before their support for the English in the Wars of Independence cost them the land by forfeiture.
On 20 December 1451 Sir Patrick Hepburn, 1st Lord Hailes, had a Crown charter erecting his lands into the free Barony of Hailes. The castle withstood an attack by Harry 'Hotspur' Percy in 1400; during the Rough Wooing, John Lord Borthwick was made keeper in 1547, undertaking to keep it 'surlie fra our auld ynemies of Ingland', and after the battle of Pinkie, Lord Grey of Wilton occupied it for the English. James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, gave nearby Nether Hailes to his wife Jean Gordon in June 1566.
Hailes later passed into the hands of the Stewarts, the Setons and, in 1700, the Dalrymple of Hailes family; by the mid-19th century the castle was being used as a granary, Sir David Dalrymple having moved his family to the mansion of Newhailes. The massive square West Tower — a donjon that dwarfs the remains of the central tower — still dominates the ruin, in state guardianship since 1926 and now under Historic Environment Scotland.
Step inside
9 places to explore in 1548.
The record describes 9 distinct spots at Hailes Castle — including 5 interiors: west tower — upper chamber, north range and inner courtyard, 15th-century chapel chamber and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Hailes Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1548 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Hailes Castle.
The families that held Hailes Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Gourlay
The de Gourlays, a Northumbrian family, built the central tower; their lands were forfeited for supporting the English in the Wars of Independence.
Hepburn
Held by the Hepburns during the most important centuries of the castle's existence; Sir Patrick Hepburn, 1st Lord Hailes, had a Crown charter of the Barony of Hailes in 1451.
Passed to the Stewarts after the Hepburns' era.
Seton
Held Hailes after the Stewarts, before the Dalrymples acquired it in 1700.
Dalrymple
Held by the Dalrymple of Hailes family from 1700.
