General Notes

DIRLETON CASTLE

A brief history;

The yellow clustered towers of Dirleton Castle high on its rocky knoll strikes an imposing sight. It was originally surrounded by a deep fresh water filled ditch which heightened its position. Also the present victorian gardens around the castle give a false impression since the whole area was bog and marsh land which added to the castles outer defenses. To the east was a wooden Barmkin which enclosed the castles town.

The first stone castle was raised by the Anglo-Norman De Vaux family around 1225. With additions by the Halyburtons in the 1300ís and the Ruthven family in the 1500ís.

The 1st castle consisted of four round towers and 2 square towers set randomly around the site which was dictated by the shape of the rocky knoll.

In 1298 the castle was attacked and occupied by King Edward I of England. Later in 1311 King Robert the Bruce had the castle recaptured and two of its great round towers were slighted to ground level to make it unserviceable to the English.

In 1350 a great rebuilding work was undertaken by the Haliburtons, a new gate house kitchen, vaults and great hall were built on the stumps of the earlier 13th century towers.

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