Tantallon Castle
The formidable stronghold of Tantallon Castle, set on cliff face and buttressed by the sea is the medieval seat of the powerful and tumultuous Douglas Earls.
The location, architecture and history of this awesome fortress make for a gripping visitor attraction. The Douglases emerged as a significant family following their key role in the Wars of Independence with England and their close association with Robert the Bruce . When he bacame King, Robert granted much land and power to his Douglas allies and in the 14th Century they built Tantallon Castle as their stronghold.
This awesome fortress is structured as a great wall curving slighty across a rocky promontory, with a great fortified tower at either end, a tall mid tower in the centre guarding the narrow entrance and a dry moat below. To the rear the nateral defense of the sea and the impenetrable cliff face. To the front beyond the castle walls lay a barmkin, a defensive outer wall surrounding an outer courtyard and beyond this earthen defenses for artillery. There are no niceities to the castle or its architecture, everything was designed to serve a defensive purpose. Remarkably the lodgings for the laird and his troops were within the curtain wall and the three towers which would have been dark forboding places but nevertheless safe.
Indeed the castle withstood a number of sieges during the conflicts between the Douglases and King James II but it couldn't stand against Cromwell's heavy artillery when he came in 1650 during the Civil War and demolished the castles towers at either end of the Wall.
Walking around the battlements is the best way to appreciate this mighty castle and offers excellent views across the plains, along the coast line and out to the lighthouse at Bass Rock.
