Hailes Castle
Hailes Castle
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
101 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
40
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
1
mikegrant1007
Edinburgh, UK97 contributions
Mar 2022
visited several times now and it is a interesting castle in an interesting spot. can be accessed either from the river path between Haddington and East Linton or from the limited parking availableon either side of the river. parking is very limited so on our last visit we walked down from pencraig layby. disappointed to find it all fenced off due to the HIstoric Scotland recent decision to reveiw safety at all its sites. It seems the only ones open now are the big money making ones like Edinburgh and Stirling castles. I do hope they are able to complete their inspections before the summer but I have not seen any evidence of what work is being done at any of the closed sites.
Written March 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqui M
674 contributions
May 2021
Hailes Castle ishard to find, due to poor or absent signage once you get into country lanes. We persevered and eventually found it, then almost missed the path which leads to it. It may once have been glorious, but little remains.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lovethesun34
Glasgow, UK101 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Walked a distance to Castle. No signs to say it's closed until right in the grounds. No way of accessing castle so little point in visiting, nothing to see. I wouldn't think it will be open any time soon.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KKIRKP
Glasgow28 contributions
Aug 2020
We walked from East Linton along the Public Footpath which runs adjacent to the river. It is a beautiful nature filled walk although not suitable for prams due to the narrow path. Very enjoyable mile and a half brings you out at the castle. It is ruinous but absolutely enough left standing to gain a sense of the place in years gone by. We took our books and perched in one of the old window seats and enjoyed the peace and calm of the place. No entry charge either which is also a bonus. We returned via the road which as others have noted is very narrow with no passing spaces. Lovely afternoon walk.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew H D K
Falkirk, UK274 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
My wife and I wanted to visit Hailes Castle and climb up Traprain Law before trying lunch in East Linton. We were holidaying in Dunbar to attend the Lammermuir Festival and enjoy sea walks, historic sites and local restaurants.
What we found particularly attractive about visiting Hailes Castle is its size and neatness. . Though now a well-preserved ruin, because it’s small and well-maintained, and also because there are only a few visitors at any one time, it becomes easy to visualise the whole picture of castle life, and to imagine the bustle and activities around the whole castle in the 1400s.
PRACTICALITIES
It’s worth saying, as others have done, that the road taking you to Hailes Castle, called Brae Heads Loan, is almost single-track, with very few passing places, so drive cautiously and expect to have to reverse some distance if you meet another car head-on. Brae Heads Loan is accessed by turning off the A199 where ‘Hailes Castle’ is signed, then turning off to the right. On reaching the castle, which is set back from the road and overlooks the (Scottish) River Tyne, there’s a parking area for two or three cars. But since visitors aren’t frequent, that’s probably enough.
Entry is free; there is no shop or attendant. The grounds of the little castle are impeccably maintained by Historic Scotland, grass well mown, signage undamaged. We found the small Hall and the vaulted Bakehouse and Brewhouse rather beautiful, and the views from the windows down to the Tyne are impressive. Families can easily get down to the river for a picnic.
HISTORY
The castle is one of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, dating from the early 1200s when its thick curtain wall was laid. It was begun as a tower house by the de Gourlay family from Northumbria, taken from them by forfeit in the wars of independence, and conferred on the de Hepburn family, who added substantial extensions in the 14th and 15thC.
The Hepburns, who were also from Northumbria, built the west and east towers during the 15thC. Mary Queen of Scots’ third husband, James Hepburn, was from this family. Then Oliver Cromwell attacked and incapacitated the castle after the Battle of Dunbar in 1650; it was no longer a viable fortification and was used for storage until coming into public trust in the 20thC.
Overall, we found Hailes Castle charming, romantic and – significantly – easy to imagine alive historically. It’s well worth an hour’s visit.
What we found particularly attractive about visiting Hailes Castle is its size and neatness. . Though now a well-preserved ruin, because it’s small and well-maintained, and also because there are only a few visitors at any one time, it becomes easy to visualise the whole picture of castle life, and to imagine the bustle and activities around the whole castle in the 1400s.
PRACTICALITIES
It’s worth saying, as others have done, that the road taking you to Hailes Castle, called Brae Heads Loan, is almost single-track, with very few passing places, so drive cautiously and expect to have to reverse some distance if you meet another car head-on. Brae Heads Loan is accessed by turning off the A199 where ‘Hailes Castle’ is signed, then turning off to the right. On reaching the castle, which is set back from the road and overlooks the (Scottish) River Tyne, there’s a parking area for two or three cars. But since visitors aren’t frequent, that’s probably enough.
Entry is free; there is no shop or attendant. The grounds of the little castle are impeccably maintained by Historic Scotland, grass well mown, signage undamaged. We found the small Hall and the vaulted Bakehouse and Brewhouse rather beautiful, and the views from the windows down to the Tyne are impressive. Families can easily get down to the river for a picnic.
HISTORY
The castle is one of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, dating from the early 1200s when its thick curtain wall was laid. It was begun as a tower house by the de Gourlay family from Northumbria, taken from them by forfeit in the wars of independence, and conferred on the de Hepburn family, who added substantial extensions in the 14th and 15thC.
The Hepburns, who were also from Northumbria, built the west and east towers during the 15thC. Mary Queen of Scots’ third husband, James Hepburn, was from this family. Then Oliver Cromwell attacked and incapacitated the castle after the Battle of Dunbar in 1650; it was no longer a viable fortification and was used for storage until coming into public trust in the 20thC.
Overall, we found Hailes Castle charming, romantic and – significantly – easy to imagine alive historically. It’s well worth an hour’s visit.
Written September 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grantmur
prestonpans4 contributions
Hailes Castle is set in some of East Lothian's most luscious and verdant scenery. It costs nothing to visit as you can safely cycle there. Take a picnic on a sunny day and sit down by the river to bathe in the ancient castle ruin's glory. Nearby Traprain Law is an ideal afternoon hillwalk for even the littlest of legs.
Written June 14, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pradeep p
Glasgow, UK416 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Not easy to find Hailes Castle. You end up going down a single track B road. No real parking but, the location is idyllic. On the River Tyne.
The fortified manor dates to the late 1200s but was later extended in the 14th and 15th centuries. Probably the oldest stone castle in Scotland. 2 towers on each side of the castle built at separate times. One of the smaller castle's.
Really nice walking around the ruins.
The fortified manor dates to the late 1200s but was later extended in the 14th and 15th centuries. Probably the oldest stone castle in Scotland. 2 towers on each side of the castle built at separate times. One of the smaller castle's.
Really nice walking around the ruins.
Written June 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary V
East Linton, Scotland, United Kingdom5 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
Best enjoyed in the Spring or Summer as it can get a little muddy but why not leave the car in East Linton and take a leisurely walk along the side of the River Tyne through the woods and enjoy all the views and wild life along the way before you arrive at the Historic Scotland site of Hailes Castle. No admission fee or trappings but lovely grounds let your imagination take over and enjoy the history of the castle and the surrounding country side. Walk back by the single track road and again enjoy the sites including Traprain Law and the surrounding farm land.
Written November 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marlscat
Edinburgh, UK4,784 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
Hailes Castle is only a few miles from where I stay but I have never visited before! It’s just one of those things – you never seem to visit the interesting places that are on your own doorstep!
So, on a lovely sunny day recently, my husband and I took ourselves off to visit Dirleton Castle then Hailes Castle. It’s not too difficult to find, but it is quite hidden in a dip and surrounded by trees. The road to get to it is a single track and there are not too many passing places! When you get to the castle, which is a ruin and unmanned, you can park outside the entrance, but there’s only space for around three vehicles. As it was a sunny day when we were there, it was actually quite busy and we found it difficult to get our car parked off the road, but we eventually found a spot a short distance away.
Although unmanned with free entry, the grounds are well kept and the gardeners were doing some grass cutting at the time we were visiting.
I was surprised to find that the castle stands on the banks of the River Tyne, but you can’t really see that until you walk into the grounds of the castle. It was so tranquil and families were enjoying picnics on the banks of the river and within the castle grounds. There were also lots of swallows flying around and I could see many swallow chicks in their nests actually inside the castle building.
This castle really is a hidden gem and is well worth a visit, especially on a gloriously sunny day when you could take a picnic with you (be aware though that there are no toilet facilities).
So, on a lovely sunny day recently, my husband and I took ourselves off to visit Dirleton Castle then Hailes Castle. It’s not too difficult to find, but it is quite hidden in a dip and surrounded by trees. The road to get to it is a single track and there are not too many passing places! When you get to the castle, which is a ruin and unmanned, you can park outside the entrance, but there’s only space for around three vehicles. As it was a sunny day when we were there, it was actually quite busy and we found it difficult to get our car parked off the road, but we eventually found a spot a short distance away.
Although unmanned with free entry, the grounds are well kept and the gardeners were doing some grass cutting at the time we were visiting.
I was surprised to find that the castle stands on the banks of the River Tyne, but you can’t really see that until you walk into the grounds of the castle. It was so tranquil and families were enjoying picnics on the banks of the river and within the castle grounds. There were also lots of swallows flying around and I could see many swallow chicks in their nests actually inside the castle building.
This castle really is a hidden gem and is well worth a visit, especially on a gloriously sunny day when you could take a picnic with you (be aware though that there are no toilet facilities).
Written July 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roadfartravelled
Lanarkshire132 contributions
Sep 2021
A must see if your into historic castles. Try to go when it's quiet as parking is on the roadside and can be taken up quickly.
Written September 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hailes Castle
- Hotels near Hailes Castle:
- (0.38 mi) Overhailes Holiday Cottages
- (5.17 mi) Garleton Lodge
- (6.02 mi) Seaholm B&B
- (6.19 mi) North Berwick Golf Lodge B&B
- (6.85 mi) The Dolphin Inn
- Restaurants near Hailes Castle:
- (3.88 mi) Caffe Luca
- (1.38 mi) The Crown and Kitchen
- (6.06 mi) Osteria
- (3.01 mi) Tyninghame Smithy
- (7.11 mi) Cherish Vintage Tearoom & Emporium
Hailes Castle Information
Excellent Reviews | 51 |
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Very Good Reviews | 40 |
Hailes Castle Photos | 119 |