Rosslyn Castle — Attraction in Scotland

Roslin Castle (sometimes spelt Rosslyn) is a partially ruined castle near the village of Roslin in Midlothian, Scotland. It is located around 9 miles south of Edinburgh, on the north bank of the North Esk, only a few hundred metres from the famous Rosslyn Chapel.

There has been a castle on the site since the early 14th century, when the Sinclair family, Earls of Caithness and Barons of Roslin, fortified the site, although the present ruins are of slightly later date. Following destruction during the War of the Rough Wooing of 1544, the castle was rebuilt. This structure, built into the cliffs of Roslin Glen, has remained at least partially habitable ever since. The castle is accessed via a high bridge, which replaced an earlier drawbridge. Roslin was renovated in the 1980s and now serves as holiday accommodation.

History The first castle was built in either the late 14th or in early 15th century, perhaps begun by Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, Baron of Roslin (c. 1345–1400). The Sinclair, or St Clare, family were of French origin, and have held Roslin since 1280. The castle was built on a rocky promontory near the site of the Battle of Roslin, where the Scots defeated the English in 1303. Henry's son Henry, 2nd Earl of Orkney (c. 1375-1422) built a new rectangular, round-cornered keep at the south-west corner. The courtyard was entered via a drawbridge over an artificial ditch, giving access to a pend in the small north range.

The castle contained a scriptorium during the 15th century, and five St Clair manuscripts, dating back to 1488, are in the National Library of Scotland. These include the Rosslyn-Hay manuscript, believed to be the earliest extant work in Scots prose. The castle was damaged by a domestic fire in 1452. Legend has it that during the domestic fire the Earl was in consternation because of his valuable manuscripts but they were lowered to safety from a window by his chaplain. Roslin was more severely damaged by the Earl of Hertford, who burned the castle during the War of the Rough Wooing in 1544. The keep was almost totally destroyed, although its one remaining ruined wall can still be seen.

The castle was rebuilt in the late 16th century. A new five-storey east range was built into the side of the rock, and the gatehouse was rebuilt, this time with a permanent stone bridge. In 1591 the Laird of Roslin was forfeited, and the castle was held by William Leslie for the Earl of Huntly. The rebel Earl of Bothwell stayed, and left in a hurry leaving his coffers with clothes and silver plate behind. The upper part of the east range was renovated in 1622, with renaissance details and carving to door and window surrounds. Roslin suffered again from the artillery of Cromwell’s commander in Scotland, General Monck, in 1650. It was further damaged by a Reforming mob in 1688. By the 18th century the structure was dilapidated, though part of the east range has always remained habitable.

James Erskine inherited the Rosslyn and Dysart estates in 1789, from his cousin James Paterson St Clair, upon which he adopted the surname of St Clair-Erskine. In 1805, he inherited the title of Earl of Rosslyn (created 1801 for Alexander Wedderburn); since that date, the Rosslyn estate has been in possession of the Earl of Rosslyn.

From 1982 to 1988, the east range was restored by architects Simpson and Brown. The current owner, The Rt Hon. The 7th Earl of Rosslyn, a descendant of the Sinclairs, leases the castle as holiday accommodation via the Landmark Trust. The castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and a Category A...

That's a beautiful place to visit and to spend time. To see the Rosslyn Castle you have to cross the bridge and it blows your mind. From the bridge you see the Castle or to be more precise, what is left of it. But it's still beautiful. And that's not the best part! The best is the view. You realise that you are standing quite high, it can spin your head and opens the view to the valley. Amazing! There's the stairs (path) down the Castle to the park. You will find the river Esk (north). There's the path by the river. So natural. You can find the bridge to other side of Esk and you can have a picknick. You will find the benches with tables. Take your wife or husband, take your kids, take your dog and go for all day. By the way, famous Rosslyn Chapel just 5min walk from the Castle. Have...

A little gem of a walk just on the outskirts of Edinburgh. You can access the Castle from both the bottom car park in Roslin Glen or from the top car park at for the Chapel. The castle itself dates from around 1450 and is owned by the St Clair family. It is available to rent nightly but not sure of the cost. If you do go for a look, I'd be very careful crossing the bridge - particularly with small children or dogs-as the wall is just above knee height with a very steep drop below. There are a lot of lovely walks through Roslin Glen to explore and the bottom carpark has benches and ares for leisure or BBQ's in the summer. Be aware that the carpark is locked at the end of the day but there are signs showing what...