The History of Thirlestane Castle and the Maitland Family
The history of Thirlestane dates back to at least the 13th century, when a large Border fort was built on the site to
defend the approach to Edinburgh from the south.
The central part of the present Castle was completed in 1590, remodelled in the 1670s, and then again in the 1840s.
Throughout its long history, Thirlestane belonged to the Maitland family, one of the most able and famous in
Scotland. The Maitlands came to Britain from France with William the Conqueror in 1066, and settled in Northumberland.
In about 1250, Sir Richard Maitland married Avicia, the daughter and sole heiress of Thomas du Thirlestane. It was
this marriage that brought the lands of Thirlestane and others into the ownership of the Maitland family. The ruined
remains of one of the family homes at that time can still be seen, two miles from the Castle off the A697.
Through military service and their contributions to law and the arts, the Maitlands gained increasing influence and
power. In 1590, John Maitland became Lord Chancellor of Scotland. His son was created 1st Earl of Lauderdale and his
brother, William Maitland, was Secretary to Mary Queen of Scots.
John
Maitland, 2nd Earl of Lauderdale, was one of the most important and controversial Scottish figures of the late 17th
century. As a leading royalist, he was a confidant of King Charles II and spent nine years in the Tower of London under
sentence of death. After the Restoration, he was appointed Secretary of State for Scotland. As such, he was virtually
the uncrowned King of Scotland, and wielded unrivalled power and influence.
On his second marriage to the Countess of Dysart, he was created Duke of Lauderdale and began transforming
Thirlestane Castle into a fitting palace from which to direct the affairs of Scotland. He employed Sir William Bruce
to undertake the remodelling of the Castle. Bringing Renaissance influences to the Scottish Baronial style, he
introduced the two front towers and the grand staircase and oversaw the transformation of the interior, the most
remarkable feature of which is the rich plasterwork of the State Rooms.
The Duke's unscrupulous use of power eventually caused his downfall. Forced by the King to resign, he lost all his
offices and was even deprived of his pension. On his death in 1682, leaving no heir, the Dukedom conferred upon him
became extinct, while Thirlestane passed to his brother, Charles, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale.
By the 19th century, Thirlestane's role had evolved in more peaceful times to that of a Scottish country mansion
for the Earls of Lauderdale. The social use to which the Castle was now put required more space, so in 1840 the
Edinburgh architects, David Bryce and William Burn, were employed to design two large wings flanking the central Keep.
The south wing, constructed around a central courtyard, housed new kitchens, pantries, laundries and servants'
accommodation. The exterior remodelling highlighted the earlier features, with the new towers designed to match the
outer towers of the Keep. The interior work also remained sympathetic to the work of Sir William Bruce, introducing
the comforts of the Victorian age while retaining the magnificent features of the Baroque.
