Hailes Castle

It was good to get out in the fresh air after so many days indoors, however pleasant they have been. We took a walk to Hailes Castle along the Tyne from East Linton and back on the road.

The castle has a long history, built in 1240 for the Gourlay family but was forfeited after the Wars of Independence and taken over by the Hepburns. There are connections to Mary, Queen of Scots, who stayed there before her marriage to James Hepburn , 4th Earl of Bothwell, who is said to have been born at Hailes.

From 1700 the owners have been the Dalrymples, who decided to live in greater comfort at a grander house near Musselburgh, calling it Newhailes, leaving the castle to fall into ruin..