Clan Rising

Ormiston Castle

Ormiston Castle is a ruined 16th-century tower house in East Lothian, Scotland, situated about four miles east of Dalkeith. The site comprises an L-plan keep with a later 16th-century lean-to and was surrounded by a barmkin wall with a gatehouse, set on a high ridge above a river valley. Today the castle survives as a ruin.

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Its prime

1540

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1540

What Ormiston Castle looked like in its prime.

L-plan stone keep with two wings meeting at a right angle, to which a lower 16th-century lean-to is appended; the whole stood within a barmkin curtain wall that included a gatehouse likely facing east. The complex occupies a high ridge with the river valley falling away on one side and defensive ditches on the other three sides. At its prime the tower house and attached lean-to formed a compact, angular silhouette rising from the enclosed courtyard.

Its story

The story of Ormiston Castle.

The Lindsays first owned Ormiston, and the Cockburns acquired the property in the 14th century. It was from this house that George Wishart, the Protestant martyr, was taken by the Earl of Bothwell to St Andrews, where Cardinal Beaton had him executed. In revenge for events of the war, the regent James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault, brought cannon against the castle in February 1548, retook it and burnt it.

Formerly known as the "House of Ormiston", the castle was an L-plan keep with a 16th-century lean-to, enclosed by a barmkin wall with a gatehouse that probably faced east, set on a high ridge with the river valley on one side and possibly ditches on the other three. John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun, purchased the property in 1748; the tower house is now a ruin.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1540.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Ormiston Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach along the ridgeEastern gatehouse and curtain wallEnclosed barmkin courtyardExterior of the L-plan keep16th-century lean-to additionView over the river valley from the ridge

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Whose castle

Clans who held Ormiston Castle.

The families that held Ormiston Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Lindsay

    The Lindsays were the first owners of Ormiston.

  • Cockburn

    The Cockburns acquired the property in the 14th century.

  • Hope

    Purchased by John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun, in 1748.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Ormiston Castle.

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, ScotlandChurchRosslyn Chapel, Roslin14 km awayHolyrood Abbey, ScotlandAncient siteHolyrood Abbey16 km awayHolyrood Palace, ScotlandPalaceHolyrood Palace16 km away

Questions about Ormiston Castle

What is the history of Ormiston Castle?

Ormiston Castle has a history reaching back to the Lindsays, its first owners, and the Cockburns, who acquired the property in the 14th century. George Wishart was taken from the castle to St Andrews, where Cardinal Beaton had him executed. During the Rough Wooing, James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault, brought cannon against it in February 1548, retook it and burnt it. John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun, purchased the property in 1748.

Why was Ormiston Castle built, and what was it used for?

Ormiston Castle was a 16th-century tower house, built as a fortified residence rather than a later public or industrial building. Its L-plan keep and attached lean-to stood within a barmkin wall and gatehouse, while its ridge-top position and defensive ditches strengthened the site. The material does not state a more specific original purpose or describe a later change of use.

Where is Ormiston Castle?

Ormiston Castle is in East Lothian, about four miles east of Dalkeith. It stands north of Ormiston Mains, on a high ridge above a river valley. The site is in Scotland, but the castle name is not followed by the country here.

When was Ormiston Castle built?

Ormiston Castle was built in the 16th century. The first-raised year is not recorded, while the surviving description identifies the keep as a 16th-century tower house. A later 16th-century lean-to was added to the L-plan keep.

Was Ormiston Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Ormiston Castle was attacked and fell in February 1548. James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault, the regent, brought cannon against it, retook the castle and burnt it. The attack followed the English occupation of the castle in 1547, when John Cockburn of Ormiston had sided with the English during the Rough Wooing.

Which family or clan held Ormiston Castle?

Ormiston Castle was first held by the Lindsays. The Cockburns acquired the property in the 14th century, and John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun, purchased it in 1748. These are the families and holder identified for the castle.

What did Ormiston Castle look like in its prime?

Ormiston Castle was an angular stone complex centred on an L-plan keep, with two wings meeting at a right angle. A lower 16th-century lean-to was attached, and the keep stood within a barmkin curtain wall with a gatehouse, probably facing east. The castle occupied a high ridge above a river valley, with defensive ditches on the other three sides.

Is Ormiston Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Ormiston Castle is now a ruin. The surviving remains comprise the ruined tower house, including its L-plan keep and later 16th-century lean-to, within the former barmkin enclosure. The site record does not describe restoration or rebuilding.

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