A well-preserved tower house on Edinburgh's southern edge, where nobles drew up the plot that ended in the murder of Mary's husband Darnley
Open to visitorsa Historic Environment Scotland site — many are free to wander; staffed ones charge and keep set hours
Substantial ruinsruined, but plenty survives above ground
Craigmillar sits on a low ridge on the south side of Edinburgh, close enough to the city that you can pair it with a walk up Arthur’s Seat. At its heart is an L-plan tower house (a stone keep bent into an L to fit more rooms in) built by the Preston family in the late 14th century, later wrapped in a curtain wall and ranges of lodgings, so a good deal survives to wander through. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here more than once, and in 1566 her leading nobles met at the castle and agreed what became known as the Craigmillar Bond — an understanding to be rid of her unpopular husband, Lord Darnley, who was murdered soon after in Edinburgh. Historic Environment Scotland runs the castle now, with old walled gardens around it. The village of Duddingston and the green expanse of Holyrood Park lie between here and the city centre if you’re stitching a longer day together.
