Lauriston Castle

“That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea
Anne Conrad Photography

Our blossom is coming alive at the Castle. Give it a couple of weeks and the place will be singing spring!

The sun is glorious and we are busy preparing for Easter at the Castle. Happy Monday everyone.☀️ 🌞🌺🌷🐦🐤🐣🐣🐣🐇🐇< br>

This winter, our museum service had a hugely successful exhibition at the City Art Centre, ‘Robert Blomfield: Edinburgh Street Photography - An Unseen Archive’. Robert Blomfield habitually took photographs of what he saw wherever he went, from the mid-1950s to the 1990s, including ten years in Edinburgh, where he studied medicine and worked as a junior doctor. His was an unobtrusive and spontaneous approach, quietly and skillfully capturing interesting and often amusing or po...ignant scenes in the rapidly changing post-war period. His medical career meant that his vast collection of striking images - which carry echoes of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Vivian Maier - was stored out of sight, until the City Art Centre recently revealed some of them to a wide audience. Most of that audience left with the feeling they would love to see more, many more. We are delighted to extend the joy of these photos to our lecture programme this year. Join Johnny Blomfield who will show a choice selection from his brother’s archive which could not be included in the exhibition simply because there wasn’t room for them, and will provide some background to Robert’s work.
Friday 23 August, 10.30am Robert Blomfield, Street Photographer: The Edinburgh Years 1956 - 1966
Book on edinburghmuseums.org.uk
This is a local photo taken by Robert, a fantastic capture of Cramond.
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“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.” ― Marty Rubin
Simon Messer - Photography

“She turned to the sunlight And shook her yellow head, And whispered to her neighbour: "Winter is dead.” ― A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young... Anne Conrad Photography
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We have had a birdtastic day here at the castle with RSPB Scotland and lots of lovely visitors learning about nature. Join us this Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4pm for more free family sessions. Double up with a picnic and walk in our spectacular grounds. Edinburgh Evening News The City of Edinburgh Council Families Edinburgh Magazine What's On Edinburgh The Edinburgh Reporter Edinburgh Live

Our Rhododendrons are magical this year. If you get a chance visit us this weekend. Our gardens are free. We also have free drop-in sessions from 10am - 4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday with RSPB Scotland. Come and learn about your local Feathered friends.
What's On Edinburgh The City of Edinburgh Council The Edinburgh Reporter Edinburgh Live Edinburgh Evening News
Anne Conrad Photography

Today is National Pet Day. Here is last Edwardian owner Mrs Margaret Reid of Lauriston Castle with their pets. Also a photo of the house-keeper in front of the porch. What a great garden they had to play in!
#NationalPetDay

Sunday 8 December, 3pm Christmas with Bel Canto £20, with Christmas nibbles and mulled wine. Bel Canto, the Edinburgh-based a cappella group, directed by David Buchanan-Cook, returns to Lauriston Castle with a festive programme of traditional and Edwardian carols interspersed with seasonal readings.

Sunday 24 November, 2pm Charles Dickens’ The Haunted House £7 per person, with some refreshments to keep you strong! Charles Dickens's last Christmas ghost story comes to life with a dramatized reading from Posturous Productions, the producers of the 2018 Halloween sell-out horror pantomime Frankomime's Monster. When John moves into an old country house which everyone told him was haunted, he begins to experience weird sounds and it becomes very difficult for him to keep the staff from shivering, shaking or quitting. What could possibly be going on? The only way to find out is, of course, to bring as many friends into the house as possible and assign each one to a separate room over Christmas.

Saturday 14 September, 2pm The Canterville Ghost £7 per person, with some refreshments to keep you strong! When The Otis Family move to Canterville Chase, they are shocked to discover that the house everyone told them was haunted has an actual ghost in it. The only question is... Who will this co-habitation make move out first?... Oscar Wilde's classic story comes to life with a dramatized reading from Posturous Productions, the producers of the 2018 Halloween sell-out horror pantomime Frankomime's Monster.
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Thursday 25 July, 7pm (bring your picnic at 6pm) Shakespeare at the Castle - The Three Inch Fools present Macbeth £16 adults, £8 under-18s, £40 family (2+2) (Free for under-10s) Watch Shakespeare against the dramatic back-drop of Lauriston Castle and watch the sun set behind you. Five actors, with all manner of musical instruments, present an inventive take on Shakespeare’s infamous Scottish play, Macbeth. The Three Inch Fools are a five-strong troupe of actors with all manne...r of musical instruments, performing a highly imaginative and vibrantly musical take on Shakespeare's plays across the UK. The Fools perform Shakespeare in almost any kind of setting - castles, cathedrals, historic houses, gardens, churches, market places, village greens, an old fire station, a medieval crypt, a crowded pub and a garlic farm – all the world's a stage! This show is suitable for all the family.
A special discount applies to both Shakespeare at the Castle performances if you book both shows. (Much Ado About Nothing on 13 July) £28 adults, £13 under-18s, £70 family (2+2) (Free for under-10s)
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Saturday 13 July, 7pm (bring your picnic at 6pm) Shakespeare at the Castle - The Three Inch Fools present Much Ado About Nothing £16 adults, £8 under-18s, £40 family (2+2) (Free for under-10s) Watch Shakespeare against the dramatic back-drop of Lauriston Castle and watch the sun set behind you. Five actors, with all manner of musical instruments, present an inventive take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing - a rip-roaring comedy of quarrels, deceptions and a frustratingl...y stupid man called Dogberry…The Three Inch Fools are a five-strong troupe of actors with all manner of musical instruments, performing a highly imaginative and vibrantly musical take on Shakespeare's plays across the UK. The Fools perform Shakespeare in almost any kind of setting - castles, cathedrals, historic houses, gardens, churches, market places, village greens, an old fire station, a medieval crypt, a crowded pub and a garlic farm – all the world's a stage! This show is suitable for all the family.
A special discount applies to both our Shakespeare at the Castle performances if you book both shows. (Macbeth on 25 July) £28 adults, £13 under-18s, £70 family (2+2) (Free for under-10s)
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Saturday 15th June, 7.30pm for 8pm Gosford Park at Lauriston Castle £15 with a glass of wine An Atmosphere film screening by New Media Scotland. You're invited to a weekend in the country on the estate of Sir William McCordle. But better beware, secrets will be revealed, and it appears that everyone, both above and below stairs, has an axe to grind with our distinguished host. Director Robert Altman brought together a fine ensemble cast for this 2001 production. Written by Ju...lian Fellows, it's a study of the British class system in the 1930s, all wrapped up in a murder mystery worthy of Agatha Christie herself. Dress code: 1930s Upstairs or Downstairs. T
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Saturday 8 June, 2pm Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon £10 includes a glass of wine/tea/coffee/cake The repertoire for the lute is among the richest in the western world, but little known. Much of it was intended for small audiences in intimate settings. Join lutenist Nico Tyack for an afternoon of music in the peaceful seclusion of Lauriston Castle’s courtyard and be transported to the Renaissance courts of Europe. Music will include works by John Dowland, Francesco da Milano an...d Giovanni Kapsberger. From a young age, Nico Tyack has always been fascinated with the music of the Renaissance and early-Baroque. He’s been playing the Classical Guitar since he was 7 and took up the lute while at university. He works as Collections Information Officer for Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, where he can indulge his passion for all things Early Modern. His dream is to own a theorbo, a type of enormous resonant bass lute from the early 1700s.
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“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"... "It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...” ― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Anne Conrad Photography

You've got to love our regular visitors to the castle. 😍😍🐩🐕🐻🐶🐶

The Castle rhododendrons have come out dancing in the sun this evening.

What a grand wee afternoon. The lady in the courtyard cafe was lovely. Really good value brioche, sausage, bacon haggis bun. So too was the nice lady who showed us round on our (almost exclusive) tour. Would thoroughly recommend the tour btw (45mins) and a nice wee walk after.

Went with a picnic and took the tour of the castle too. The grounds are lovely to wander round and there's space to play (kids & adults), the Japanese garden is also really worth a visit.

The tour was really good, an hour of interesting history of the building by a very knowledgable guide, amazing interior, unchanged in about a hundred years, excellent vfm.

The weather was good, which helped the whole experience.

Took a trip into Lauriston Castle after many years, beautiful! It was a lovely sunny day and the grounds and views were stunning. Lovely little coffee shop where we sat and enjoyed a great coffee then wandered around. I had forgotten how gorgeous the Japanese Gardebs were. Very enjoyable relaxing day.

This is one of the most beautiful places on our doorstep in Edinburgh. I only went into the gardens but what a pleasant surprise. They are beautifully looked after offering child friendly and disabled access. The cafe provides a small selection of drinks and tasty bites at reasonable prices.



The view across the water cannot be and must not be missed.

My wife's family ancestry comes from Scotland and the Edinburgh area today. We've made it there 4 or 5 times in the last 10 years or so and Lauriston Castle is always on our list of places to go. The tours are small and casual, very reasonably priced,and you get to learn a ton about the castle as well as the history of the area and Europe as a whole during its time.



We've had the same gentleman give us our tours each time(sorry my friend I can't remember your name just now), but he's always very knowledgeable and helpful and can answer any question I've ever seen thrown at him.



There's also a beautiful garden and park with ocean views all around the castle which is well worth the trip in and of itself.

It's not the typical castle. Actually, it's not the castle that is truly amazing. The surroundings steal the show. The view from the back garden of the castle is outstanding. Even the castle gardens are beautiful. When in Edinburgh, Missy visit this place. It's not mainstream castle-y beauty, but a must-see-once kind of a place.

I went to the summer bunting workshop today and it was excellent. The staff at Lauriston were very welcoming and Felicity taking the workshop was brilliant - showing us how to make the bunting flags and how to sew them together. I had a very specific idea I wanted to execute and I came away with a little bit of work to finish off but Lauriston had everything I needed from a great selection of fabric to the many embellishments and ribbons. We also had a lovely afternoon tea of scones and cakes and plenty tea and coffee. Can't recommend this place enough. Great lectures and workshops and amazing grounds to walk around in.

I want to thank the staff of lauriston castle for a brilliant day .We flew over from northern ireland especially to renew our vows with special friends and family.The grounds are beautiful for pictures and the day couldnt be without the staff.Margaret was lovely and we will carry in our hearts and memories as she made it my dream come true.We will never forget our day with great graditude. Love Sharon and Michael Tennyson xx

Husband and I had a lovey tour around Castle

Very interesting with lots of funny stories told by our fantastic tour guide

This wee castle is a gem !

Filled with personal designs and belonging to the family

Really interesting surprises along the way with hidden doors etc

We would highly recommend visiting this castle with its stunning views of the river Forth

Had a lovely tour through this beautiful building, our guide was knowledgeable and amiable. As there was only 3 people it felt like a private tour. So much to see and admire throughout the tour. My favorites were the shower and the reading chair. I also enjoyed walking around the grounds, how wonderful to have land that anyone can enjoy at any time. It was so quiet and pleasurable. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.

As part of a local walking group, Hidden Gems, we do evening walks on a Thursday. Lauriston castle was shut when we got there - 19:00 - but the gardens were lovely. We thoroughly enjoyed the various areas of the gardens with many photos being taken to go on Facebook etc. We all had a great time. I intend to go back again and can recommend visiting the gardens - well worth it.

A hidden gem and well worth a visit. The grounds are fantastic, with plenty of different scenery, not to mention the grand view over the Firth of Forth. The house itself is just stunning. Beautifully kept and, if you can get onto a tour of the interior, you might even see some of the Living History Scotland actors bringing the house to life. Great day out and definitely should be on your "things to do around Edinburgh" list.

A friend and I were given a tour of the castle by Mike at the end of day 1 of a two-day paper-making course there (consective Saturdays). The tour is not that long and all the rooms are beautifully furnished in Rococco style but neither daunting in scale or opulence. The collection of Blue John is extensive and impressive. Our paper-making course, led by Margaret Finlay, was excellent and great fun. We were able to have our picnic lunch in the newly planted courtyard, which looks great. We look forward to returning to sample the new cafe there when it opens.

The Spooky Castle event on 26th October was fantastic, a really fun day in beautiful surroundings. Good value too. The only downside was the witch hat craft, it was a great idea for older kids but my 4 year old and most of the kids in our group couldn't manage it at all, all the parents ended up doing it. I heard last year there was Halloween cupcake decorating which would be great to bring back for the smaller kids.

Have been meaning to go here for so long. It's really lovely .. was a sunny day yesterday so wandering about the gardens with my little girl was perfect. Pretty gardens, will go back on another sunny day for a picnic. The cafe was lovely but I found it quite expensive £7:50 for a Carton of apple juice, Fanta , shortbread and a traybake.

Had a great wee day out Dog walking, decided to stop off at Lauriston Castle last minute. Really nice weather, really busy so wee car park was packed. Beautiful well looked after castle � got some great photos. Highly recommend for a short visit ����

Tour around the castle was done by the very knowledgeable Mike. Our group was a bit big so couldn't really get a good look at stuff.

The grounds are great for a walk or for the little one to run free.

I grew up in the gate lodge and it breaks my heart to see it in such a state especially as my parents tried for years to buy it when we lived there. (My dad was the gardener)

The standard of maintenance within the grounds has fallen dramatically. Even though we visited mid week there were no signs of any workers and the bothy area was all locked up. The beautiful pond is now green and the path around it is no longer visible.

Dogs are now free to run wild which can be intimidating when they run up to you.

This was my childhood home and I have so many happy memories here. It's such a shame to see it go a little bit more downhill on each visit.

Some of the dinosaurs were damaged , the ground is saturated and muddy . The gents toilet was blocked and floor was slippery . Other than that , was an 1hr visit .

Love the walk here with our dog and having a nice creamy latte at a resonable price at the cafe but ....................not now ! Coffee bitter,too strong and at £2.90 just not worth it. Can someone tell me if they have changed the supplier and why the huge hike up in the cost please ?

What a grand wee afternoon. The lady in the courtyard cafe was lovely. Really good value brioche, sausage, bacon haggis bun. So too was the nice lady who showed us round on our (almost exclusive) tour. Would thoroughly recommend the tour btw (45mins) and a nice wee walk after.

Went with a picnic and took the tour of the castle too. The grounds are lovely to wander round and there's space to play (kids & adults), the Japanese garden is also really worth a visit.

The tour was really good, an hour of interesting history of the building by a very knowledgable guide, amazing interior, unchanged in about a hundred years, excellent vfm.

The weather was good, which helped the whole experience.

Took a trip into Lauriston Castle after many years, beautiful! It was a lovely sunny day and the grounds and views were stunning. Lovely little coffee shop where we sat and enjoyed a great coffee then wandered around. I had forgotten how gorgeous the Japanese Gardebs were. Very enjoyable relaxing day.

This is one of the most beautiful places on our doorstep in Edinburgh. I only went into the gardens but what a pleasant surprise. They are beautifully looked after offering child friendly and disabled access. The cafe provides a small selection of drinks and tasty bites at reasonable prices.



The view across the water cannot be and must not be missed.

My wife's family ancestry comes from Scotland and the Edinburgh area today. We've made it there 4 or 5 times in the last 10 years or so and Lauriston Castle is always on our list of places to go. The tours are small and casual, very reasonably priced,and you get to learn a ton about the castle as well as the history of the area and Europe as a whole during its time.



We've had the same gentleman give us our tours each time(sorry my friend I can't remember your name just now), but he's always very knowledgeable and helpful and can answer any question I've ever seen thrown at him.



There's also a beautiful garden and park with ocean views all around the castle which is well worth the trip in and of itself.

It's not the typical castle. Actually, it's not the castle that is truly amazing. The surroundings steal the show. The view from the back garden of the castle is outstanding. Even the castle gardens are beautiful. When in Edinburgh, Missy visit this place. It's not mainstream castle-y beauty, but a must-see-once kind of a place.

I went to the summer bunting workshop today and it was excellent. The staff at Lauriston were very welcoming and Felicity taking the workshop was brilliant - showing us how to make the bunting flags and how to sew them together. I had a very specific idea I wanted to execute and I came away with a little bit of work to finish off but Lauriston had everything I needed from a great selection of fabric to the many embellishments and ribbons. We also had a lovely afternoon tea of scones and cakes and plenty tea and coffee. Can't recommend this place enough. Great lectures and workshops and amazing grounds to walk around in.

I want to thank the staff of lauriston castle for a brilliant day .We flew over from northern ireland especially to renew our vows with special friends and family.The grounds are beautiful for pictures and the day couldnt be without the staff.Margaret was lovely and we will carry in our hearts and memories as she made it my dream come true.We will never forget our day with great graditude. Love Sharon and Michael Tennyson xx

Husband and I had a lovey tour around Castle

Very interesting with lots of funny stories told by our fantastic tour guide

This wee castle is a gem !

Filled with personal designs and belonging to the family

Really interesting surprises along the way with hidden doors etc

We would highly recommend visiting this castle with its stunning views of the river Forth

Had a lovely tour through this beautiful building, our guide was knowledgeable and amiable. As there was only 3 people it felt like a private tour. So much to see and admire throughout the tour. My favorites were the shower and the reading chair. I also enjoyed walking around the grounds, how wonderful to have land that anyone can enjoy at any time. It was so quiet and pleasurable. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.

As part of a local walking group, Hidden Gems, we do evening walks on a Thursday. Lauriston castle was shut when we got there - 19:00 - but the gardens were lovely. We thoroughly enjoyed the various areas of the gardens with many photos being taken to go on Facebook etc. We all had a great time. I intend to go back again and can recommend visiting the gardens - well worth it.

A hidden gem and well worth a visit. The grounds are fantastic, with plenty of different scenery, not to mention the grand view over the Firth of Forth. The house itself is just stunning. Beautifully kept and, if you can get onto a tour of the interior, you might even see some of the Living History Scotland actors bringing the house to life. Great day out and definitely should be on your "things to do around Edinburgh" list.

A friend and I were given a tour of the castle by Mike at the end of day 1 of a two-day paper-making course there (consective Saturdays). The tour is not that long and all the rooms are beautifully furnished in Rococco style but neither daunting in scale or opulence. The collection of Blue John is extensive and impressive. Our paper-making course, led by Margaret Finlay, was excellent and great fun. We were able to have our picnic lunch in the newly planted courtyard, which looks great. We look forward to returning to sample the new cafe there when it opens.

The Spooky Castle event on 26th October was fantastic, a really fun day in beautiful surroundings. Good value too. The only downside was the witch hat craft, it was a great idea for older kids but my 4 year old and most of the kids in our group couldn't manage it at all, all the parents ended up doing it. I heard last year there was Halloween cupcake decorating which would be great to bring back for the smaller kids.

Have been meaning to go here for so long. It's really lovely .. was a sunny day yesterday so wandering about the gardens with my little girl was perfect. Pretty gardens, will go back on another sunny day for a picnic. The cafe was lovely but I found it quite expensive £7:50 for a Carton of apple juice, Fanta , shortbread and a traybake.

Had a great wee day out Dog walking, decided to stop off at Lauriston Castle last minute. Really nice weather, really busy so wee car park was packed. Beautiful well looked after castle � got some great photos. Highly recommend for a short visit ����

Tour around the castle was done by the very knowledgeable Mike. Our group was a bit big so couldn't really get a good look at stuff.

The grounds are great for a walk or for the little one to run free.

I grew up in the gate lodge and it breaks my heart to see it in such a state especially as my parents tried for years to buy it when we lived there. (My dad was the gardener)

The standard of maintenance within the grounds has fallen dramatically. Even though we visited mid week there were no signs of any workers and the bothy area was all locked up. The beautiful pond is now green and the path around it is no longer visible.

Dogs are now free to run wild which can be intimidating when they run up to you.

This was my childhood home and I have so many happy memories here. It's such a shame to see it go a little bit more downhill on each visit.

Some of the dinosaurs were damaged , the ground is saturated and muddy . The gents toilet was blocked and floor was slippery . Other than that , was an 1hr visit .

Love the walk here with our dog and having a nice creamy latte at a resonable price at the cafe but ....................not now ! Coffee bitter,too strong and at £2.90 just not worth it. Can someone tell me if they have changed the supplier and why the huge hike up in the cost please ?