Lauriston Castle

When you step inside Lauriston Castle, you see it just as it was in 1926, when it was left to the nation by the last private owner, Mrs Reid.

The Castle and the collections it contains is one of Scotland’s greatest gifts. Collections include, Italian Furniture, Sheffield Plate, Crossley Wool Mosaics and Blue John ornaments. The interiors of the house are the work of  Mrs Reid's husband, Mr W R Reid, the owner of Morison & Co., a leading Edinburgh cabinet making business.

The beautiful grounds were laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s.  Much of the planting dates to this period. The award-winning Japanese Friendship garden, gifted by the prefecture of Kyoto, is a tranquil place to contemplate.

Lauriston Castle gardens

About

Find out more about Lauriston Castle and its fascinating history.

A decorative bowl on display at Lauriston Castle

Collections

Find out more about the collections in this fabulous home that has been preserved exactly as it was in Edwardian times.

The library at Lauriston Castle

Visitor Information

Check out our opening hours and where to find us.

A young visitor tries her hand at decorating cupcakes at Lauriston Castle

Learning

Find out about our learning materials and fun packed activities.

Family events at Lauriston

Events

Find out about events and lectures being held at Lauriston Castle.

Children working on an activity organised by Lauriston Castle staff

Schools, Volunteers and Community Groups

Information about events and other activities at Lauriston Castle for schools, volunteers and community groups

Castle

Did you Know?

 ‘Gentlemen’s houses built all castle-wise’?

Did you Know?

 ‘Gentlemen’s houses built all castle-wise’?

In 1636 Sir William Brereton described the fashion for ‘Gentlemen’s houses built all castle-wise’ – houses built for prestigious effect as tower houses or castles; even though their defensive structures were no longer strictly necessary.
Lauriston was just such a castle, built as a country ‘Villa’ yet still in easy reach of Edinburgh. A place where  its wealthy and powerful owners could escape from the demands of business and politics,  particularly during the summer months, in order to leave behind the smells and bustle of the city for a life of semi-rural leisure, dignified by intellectual and creative recreation.