A room with a view – Ink on a Watercolour Moleskine

This is the view, looking eastwards, from the kitchen in the spacious ruins of Dirleton Castle which lies about twenty miles to the east of Edinburgh. The hill, in the distance, is North Berwick Law (Please see my post of 10th February) The kitchen is on one of the lower floors and openings, in the floors and ceilings were used to transport food and fuel around the building. The space, at the left, is the remains of a large oven.

The castle dates back to the thirteenth century and has had many occupants over the years. It was twice lost to, and recaptured from, invading English forces during the time of Wallace and Bruce. The Ruthvens acquired the castle at the start of the sixteenth century. This family courted controversy supposedly being involved in the murder of David Rizzio, the secretary to Mary; Queen of Scots. The castle was forfeited, to the crown, in 1600 after the Ruthvens were involved in a plot against James V1, but was again involved in a siege during the time of Oliver Cromwell. Today the building stands in magnificent grounds of mainly yew trees, some of which must date back hundreds of years. There are a number of other magnificent trees set in the longest herbaceous border in the country and the best preserved “Doocot”, in Scotland, lies at the north east end of the grounds. The top floor is now gone and most of the upper floors are open to the elements. The vaults, which were originally used for storage, are still used for private functions.
Please see

Dirleton Castle - The Ruthven Lodgings

for some photos of this castle.