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Tantallon Castle is located 3 miles south-east of North Berwick. It was built by the 1st Earl of Douglas, William Douglas. It sits atop a cliff face opposite the Bass Rock, a volcanic plug, in the outer part of the Firth of Forth.
Tantallon is a castle of enceinte, a castle that is enclosed - enceinte is from the French language and means wall, or enclosed. The castle's massive curtain wall blocks off access to the promontory on which it is built.
The rounded Northwest Douglas Tower contains a pit prison and vaulted garderobes above. Garderobes were medieval latrines and were often just holes in the outer walls which dropped into cess pits or moats. They were often used to store clothes, as the smell would deter moths. Indoor plumbing rendered garderobes obsolete. This is the origin
of the word wardrobe.
The ruins of the gatehouse offer access to the sea through a cleft in the cliffs below. There were two ditches which formed the bailey of the castle with a ravelin facing the only approach to the castle. A ravelin is a triangular fortification, a detached outwork in front of the bastions.
The ravelin is placed outside a castle opposite a fortification curtain. The placement of the ravelin ensures that the guns there can sweep fire on the marauding troops that have to run along the fortification curtain.
Sea cliff view with the castle in the background - Courtesy of B Jones ©
Opening Times
1st April - 30th September Monday to Sunday 9.30 am- 5.30 pm
1 st October - 31st March Open daily, except Thursday and Friday 9.30 am to 4.30pm
Prices
Adult £ 4.50 Child £ 2.25 Senior £ 3.50 The last ticket is sold thirty minutes before closing time.
Tantallon Castle
North Berwick
East Lothian EH39 5PN
Telephone - 01620 892727
E mail - Sorry, not available.
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Bass Rock - Courtesy of M Knapton ©
Tantallon Castle was in the care of Alexander Seton, 1st Viscount of Kingston in February 1651. There were around one hundred men at his side. The group of bandits were set on attacking Cromwell's lines of communication across south east Scotland, and occupied the castle. Cromwell retaliated quickly and laid siege. After twelve days of fire which included a battering with grate cannon, the bandits were forced to surrender. The castle was left in ruins.
There is a replica cannon for visitors to see and touch. There is limited access for disabled visitors, with only the ground floor being accessible. There is a small gift shop/visitor centre. No cafe but the gift shop sells chilled drinks and ice-cream.
