Thirlestane Castle
Museums & Science Centres · Across the Borders, Scottish Borders
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Open now — closes 2.30pm
🏠 Indoor & outdoorCastleBooking requiredOvernight
What’s there
- Free parking
- Picnic area
Free parking available at the castle entrance by the ticket kiosk
Only facilities we’ve confirmed are listed — anything missing here we simply haven’t checked, rather than know to be absent.
Dating back to the 16th century, Thirlestane Castle is one of the oldest and finest inhabited castles in Scotland, and still remains home to the Maitland family today. Guided tours showcase some of the finest decorative plasterwork ceilings in Europe, one of the most extensive family portrait collections in Scotland, connections to Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots, and a Toy Museum with over 1,000 Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian toys. The castle grounds offer beautiful walking routes with incredible views and local wildlife. The Castle is open for Guided Tours from Monday 20 April to Sunday 18 October 2026. Private tours can be arranged all year round.
Castle & grounds open for Guided Tours 20 April - 18 October 2026 (tours 10:30/12:30/14:30); closed Nov-Mar except private tours by arrangement. Afternoon Tea & Tour available on selected days April-October 2026.
Stuff to take with you
The things people wish they’d packed for a day out like this one.
- Refillable water bottleMost places will fill it for free.
- Snacks that survive a rucksackCheaper than the café, and buys you twenty minutes.
- Wet wipes
- Small first aid kitPlasters solve more days out than anything else here.
- Lunch boxes
- Loose changeLockers and old-fashioned car parks.
- Umbrella
- Tissues
- Hair bobbles
- Sun cream
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