Tantallon Castle
Two miles east of North Berwick are the ruins of this once beautiful castle and keep, which date from 1358 – the ennoblement of the First Earl of Douglas. The castle has an interesting history as it was besieged, in 1491, by James IV after the Fifth Earl of Angus held him prisoner and later by James V. However, it was restored by James V and remained in tact until 1651 when it was beseiged – like Dirleton Castle – by Oliver Cromwell. Tantallon Castle is a mid 14th century stone enclosure fortress, founded by William Douglas. Standing on a promontory, with a high cliff edge overlooking the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock Castle, there are formidable defences along the landward side. The great red sandstone curtain wall, with its three towers and a wide, deep ditch to the fore, still stands remarkably entire. A formidable stronghold set atop cliffs on the Firth of Forth, Tantallon Castle was the seat of the Douglas Earls of Angus, one of the most powerful baronial families in Scotland. Visitors can enjoy wild flowers in season and touch the replica cannon. Despite being a husk of its original, glorious self, Tantallon still enjoys blissful views over the shining, unexpectedly blue, North Sea as well as panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
