Castles · Central Scotland
Dunbar Castle
In or near West Barns.
Dunbar Castle — castle in East Lothian, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Dunbar · 0.9 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
Dunbar Castle is located in East Lothian, with the nearest railway station being Dunbar, approximately 0.9 km away. The postcode for navigation is EH42 1HT. Accessibility is limited for wheelchair users.
About
Dunbar Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1070. Designed by Gospatric, Earl of Northumbria. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Owned by Earl of Angus. Part of Dunbar Castle & fort. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in East Lothian, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 56.0060°, -2.5157°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Dunbar Castle was one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland, situated in a prominent position overlooking the harbour of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian. Several fortifications were built successively on the site, near the English-Scottish border. The last was slighted in 1567; it is a ruin today.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Official information
John Muir's Birthplace is a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of John Muir, an influential environmentalist and naturalist. Visitors can explore exhibits related to his work and the John Muir Way, which starts from this location.
From the Wikipedia article
Dunbar Castle was one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland, situated in a prominent position overlooking the harbour of the town of Dunbar, in East Lothian. Several fortifications were built successively on the site, near the English-Scottish border. The last was slighted in 1567; it is a ruin today.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The Votadini or Gododdin are thought to have been the first to defend this site as its original Brythonic name, dyn barr, means 'the fort of the point'. By the 7th century, Dunbar Castle was a central defensive position of the Kings of Bernicia, an Anglian kingdom that took over from the British Kingdom of Bryneich.
Architecture
The body of buildings measured in excess of 165 feet from east to west, and in some places up to 210 feet from north to south. The South Battery, which Grose supposes to have been the citadel or keep, is situated on a detached perpendicular rock, only accessible on one side, 72 feet high, and is connected to the main part of the castle by a passage of masonry measuring 69 feet. The interior of the citadel measures 54 x within the walls. Its shape is octagonal. Five of the gun-ports remain, which are called the 'arrow-holes'. They measure 4 feet at the mouth and only 16 inches at the other end. The buildings are arched and extend 8 feet from the outer walls, and look into an open court,…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 56.0060, -2.5157
- District
- East Lothian
- Postcode
- EH42 1HT
- Parliamentary constituency
- Lothian East
- Phone
- 01368 865 899
- Established
- 1070
- Nearest railway station
- Dunbar — 0.9 km
- Opening
- Wed – Sat: 10am – 5pm; Sun: 1pm – 5pm; Mon & Tue: Closed
- Official site
- www.jmbt.org.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q2969165 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Dunbar Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Dunbar Harbour and Castle, 1987.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Dunbar Lifeboat Station
Harbours & ports · 0.1 km
The Gunholes
Castles · 0.1 km
Dunbar Harbour
Harbours & ports · 0.1 km
The Magazine
Castles · 0.2 km
Dunbar, Castle Park
Vineyards · 0.2 km
Old Harbour, Dunbar
Marinas · 0.2 km
Lauderdale House, Victoria Street, Dunbar
Historic houses · 0.2 km
The Fishermen's Monument
Memorials & monuments · 0.3 km
Fishermens' Monument, Old Harbour, Dunbar
Memorials & monuments · 0.3 km
St Anne's Episcopal Church, Westgate, Dunbar
Historic churches · 0.3 km
John Muir Birthplace
Museums · 0.3 km
John Muir's Birthplace
Museums · 0.3 km
Nearby
📷 4Harbours & ports · Central Scotland
Dunbar Lifeboat Station
Dunbar Lifeboat Station in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
The Gunholes
The Gunholes — a castle in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 4Harbours & ports · Central Scotland
Dunbar Harbour
Dunbar Harbour in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
The Magazine
The Magazine — a castle in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Vineyards · Central Scotland
Dunbar, Castle Park
Dunbar, Castle Park — a UK vineyard in scotland central, producing English or Welsh wine from cool-climate grape varieties.
📷 5Where to eat & stay near Dunbar Castle
Places to stay
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
The Dolphin Inn
The Dolphin Inn — a hostel in scotland central.
📷 5Hostels · Central Scotland
The Dolphin Inn
The Dolphin Inn — a hostel in scotland central.
📷 5Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Belhaven Bay Caravan Site
Belhaven Bay Caravan Site — a caravan park in scotland central.
📷 5Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Dunbar Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Dunbar Camping and Caravanning Club Site — a caravan park in scotland central.
📷 5Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Thurston Manor Caravan Park
Thurston Manor Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland central.
📷 5Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
The Crown & Kitchen
The Crown & Kitchen in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Gardner's Arms Public House, Market Street, Haddington
Gardner's Arms Public House, Market Street, Haddington in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
Other castles from this era
📷 5Castles · South East England
Allington Castle
Allington Castle — stone-built moated castle in Allington, England.
📷 5Castles · South East England
Guildford Castle
Guildford Castle — castle in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK.
📷 5Castles · South East England
Rochester Castle
Rochester Castle — castle in Rochester, Kent, South East England.
📷 5Castles · South East England
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle — castle in West Sussex, England, UK.
More castles in this region
📷 3
📷 2
📷 4
📷 3Castles · Central Scotland
Achallader Castle
Achallader Castle — castle in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Dunbar Castle?
- Dunbar Castle is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH42 1HT).
- What is Dunbar Castle?
- Dunbar Castle — castle in East Lothian, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Dunbar Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Dunbar, about 0.9 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH42 1HT.
- When was Dunbar Castle built?
- Built or established in 1070. Designed by Gospatric, Earl of Northumbria.
- Who owns Dunbar Castle?
- Dunbar Castle is owned by Earl of Angus.
- Is Dunbar Castle a listed building?
- Dunbar Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Dunbar Castle charge admission?
- Dunbar Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Dunbar Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Dunbar, about 0.9 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH42 1HT.