Niddry Castle

Niddry Castle is an L-shaped tower house in West Lothian with four stories, a vaulted basement, and thick stone walls. The fortress rises above the railway line between Edinburgh and Glasgow, displaying the robust construction typical of Scottish defensive architecture.

The fortress was built as a defensive structure and gained historical significance in 1568 when Mary Queen of Scots sought refuge there following her escape from Lochleven Castle. The building played a role in the political turmoil of Scottish history in the years that followed.

The castle displays typical Scottish defensive building methods with rounded corner towers and thick stone walls that remain visible today. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship of past builders in every detail of the structure.

The fortress lies approximately 2 kilometers northeast of Broxburn and is reachable via a minor road connecting the A89 and B9080 highways. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear as the terrain is uneven and access requires walking across open ground.

In 1572, the garrison defended against attackers by hurling heavy wooden beams from the tower onto soldiers climbing ladders. This unconventional defense tactic reveals the ingenuity of the inhabitants in repelling assaults.

Location: West Lothian

Location: Kirkliston

Inception: 1500

GPS coordinates: 55.95384,-3.45053

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:49