Tantallon Castle
Tantallon Castle is a ruined mid-14th century fortress located in East Lothian, Scotland, about 5 kilometers east of North Berwick. Here’s a brief overview of its history:
Construction and Early History
- Built around 1350 by William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas
- Passed to his illegitimate son George Douglas, who became the Earl of Angus
- Remained the stronghold of the “Red Douglas” Earls of Angus for about 300 years
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Major Sieges and Conflicts
- 1491 Siege: King James IV besieged the castle after the Earl of Angus, known as “Bell-the-Cat,” joined a rebellion against him.
- 1528 Attack: King James V attacked the castle to punish the 6th Earl of Angus for his misdeeds while serving as regent.
- 1588: The castle was briefly held by supporters of the Spanish Armada, though no battle occurred.
- 1639: The castle was captured by the Covenanters during the Bishops’ Wars, though it’s unclear if this involved a battle.
- 1651 Siege: Oliver Cromwell’s forces besieged and heavily damaged the castle during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. This was the most destructive attack in the castle’s history.
- 1659: The castle was stripped of its defenses by order of the Committee of Estates to prevent it from being used as a Royalist stronghold.
Unique Features
- Last medieval curtain wall castle constructed in Scotland
- Comprises a single wall blocking off the headland, with the other three sides protected by sea cliffs
Later History
- Sold by the Marquis of Douglas to Hew Dalrymple, Lord North Berwick, in 1699 due to gambling debts
- Allowed to decay and was quarried for stone under Dalrymple ownership
- Handed over to the UK Government’s Office of Works in 1924
- Played a role in D-Day preparations in 1944, when captured German radars were used to train RAF bomber crews
Present Day:
- Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland as a Scheduled Ancient Monument[1]
- Open to the public as a popular tourist attraction
- Features dramatic cliff-top ruins and offers views over the North Sea and Bass Rock
Tantallon Castle stands as a testament to Scotland’s turbulent medieval history and the power struggles between noble families and the Crown. Its strategic location and impressive architecture continue to captivate visitors, making it an important historical site in East Lothian.
Tyninghame Beach
Make the most of your visit to the stunning Tantallon Castle by dropping in on Tyninghame beach if you like to walk in stunning scenery along the coastline. A beautiful beach that get lots of visits through the week due to its location and stunning views.
This beach is about 10 mins away from the castle towards Dunbar and is well worth a visit, especially if you have children or dogs as it is a lovely place to relax and enjoy a walk in the countryside.
Carpark at Tyninghame Beach
The car park is a paid for parking space ( just £2 for the day ) and is restriced due to its size. During the week it is easy enough to get a space, but on a weekend space can get tight as many dog owners and families decend on the place to enjoy the nature.
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North Berwick
Visit nearby North Berwick, voted the nicest place to live by the sea in the UK in 2023.
Dunbar
Check out the coastal corner of Dunbar for a lovely village setting and a nice village fishing port.