Travel Tour Scotland
All About Scotland
Golf Transport + Airport Transfer Service
Dirleton
East Lothian
Dirleton Castle
Dirleton East Lothian
Before Dirleton Village was built there is evidence of an iron age settlement and a fortification on Craig’s Hill.
On receiving the titles to the lands around the present village of Dirleton from David the 1st the
Anglo Norman de Vaux family settled in the area. Dirleton Castle was built in the mid to late 1100s. John l de Vaux, Dirleton (John de Vallibus) lived between 1140 -1187 and died in Dirleton. Therefor the Castle was built in this period. The De Vaux towers an addition to the castle were built cica 1240 by his son Johannes de Vallibus.
Dirleton Castle
Dirleton East Lothian
Dirleton Castle as all large homes and Castles had a Do'cot. This was a house for pigeons to give fresh meat for the table. Always taking the younger birds as they were more tender. This is one of Scotland's best examples and could nest up to 1000 birds
Dirleton Castle Gardens
Dirleton East Lothian
The gardens in Dirleton Castle were laid out in the 19th century with the popular topiary trees and bushes and sculptured flower beds and many different tree types. Prior to the gardens there had been a bowling green. The gardens have continuously been developed through the Victorian times. There is a small museum in the tower at the entrance to the attraction.
Dirleton Kirk
East Lothian
Dirleton Kirk (church) was built in 1612 at the time the village was being developed and the church in Gullane where everyone used, was no long practical. There is stain glass window in the kirk which depicts St Francis and the Animals.
He was granted the lands of Dirleton in 1631 and became the fist Earl of Dirleton in 1646. He was a very wealthy landowner and merchant (probably the riches man in Britain) and was in the royal courts of both James VI and I, and Charles I. He died in 1652. Sir James Maxwell, 1st and only Earl of Dirleton is buried here.
Pipers Stone
Dirleton East Lothian
The Piper's Stone is the remains of stone cross situated in the centre of Dirleton village. Possible a cross which signified where the news or any proclamations were announced to the village residents. There is no defining age or when it was erected but could have been destroyed by Cromwell's army in 1651.
Dirleton War Memorial
Dirleton East Lothian
The memorial cross was dedicated to 31 men from Dirleton who gave their lives in the First World War. It was unveiled on Sunday 10th October 1920. A further four names have been added due to them giving their lives in the 2nd World War.
The inscription read;
To the deathless memory
of the sons of Dirleton parish
who laid down their lives
in the Great War
1914 - 1918
​
The Cross was designed by Sir Robert Lorimer who also designed the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle.
Yellowcraigs Beach
Dirleton East Lothian
Yellowcraigs Beach and Fidra island are the site depicted in Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island. The lighthouse was design and built by Thomas Stevenson in 1885 Robert's father. The lighthouse became audible in 1929 when the Stevensons invented the talking beacon.
The beach photo extends from Fidra Island, to in the far distance right, the Bass Rock.
