Lauriston Castle

From its exquisite gardens and 16th-century tower overlooking the rugged Firth of Forth coast, to its remarkably preserved Edwardian décor, Lauriston Castle remains one of Scotland’s most beautiful castles. Originally built for Sir Archibald Napier  in the 1590s, the property was later owned by avid collector and antiques enthusiast William Reid and his wife, who bequeathed it to the City of Edinburgh in 1926.

Much of Lauriston’s striking façade, with its many turrets and tall chimneys, was restored and extended in 1817, but the fairytale silhouette is merely a taster of the lavish interiors that await.  Preserved as it was left by Reid, the traditional Edwardian kitchens, grand dining room and elegant study are adorned with Reid’s personal collections of Italian furnishings, Crossley Wool Mosaics and Blue John ornaments, and stand in contrast to the simple servant’s quarters that occupy the lower floor. Equally impressive are the castle’s beautiful gardens, laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s and including the renowned Edinburgh/Kyoto Friendship Garden, one of Britain’s largest Japanese gardens.