Tantallon Castle

This great castle stands on a spectacular and dramatic site in East Lothian, about 31 miles east of Edinburgh, on a promontory that juts into the Firth of Forth. Historic Scotland notes “Tantallon Castle has to be among the most impressively sited medieval castles in the British Isles, a ‘must’ for photographers and artists alike”.

Tantallon is a 14th century curtain wall castle, the last great curtain wall castle to be built in Scotland. It was built around 1360 by Sir William Douglas, probably to celebrate his increased status when he was made the 1st earl of Douglas. Sir William was the nephew of Sir James Douglas. the Black Douglas, Robert the Bruce’s key lieutenant.

In its heyday Tantallon would have been one of the three greatest castles in Scotland, along with Edinburgh and Stirling.

Tantallon is particularly important in the history of the Douglas family. It was in Tantallon that, through the actions of a very able and politically astute mother who wanted to advance the status of her illegitimate son, the Douglas family split into the Black Douglases and the Red Douglases.

Tantallon withstood two great sieges, and succumbed to the third, when 17th century canon proved too much for this medieval fortification. This book describes the history of the castle, and takes the reader on a tour of this major historic site.

Over 5000 words. 12 colour images.