Thirlestane Castle is one of the oldest and finest Castles in Scotland. As a registered charity, we rely heavily on volunteers and guides to bring the Castle, its collections, and stories to life during the open season in the summer months.

The Castle is due to re-open in May for the first full season since the pandemic began and we are looking to increase our team of friendly volunteers and guides. We are appealing to anyone who may have some spare time, whether it’s a few hours once a week or a day once a fortnight, to consider joining their invaluable team of volunteers. There are several different tasks available for our volunteers including meeting and greeting visitors and conducting guided tours.

Without the ‘Friends of Thirlestane’ who generously donate their time to the Castle, we would not be able to open the doors and allow visitors to explore the fascinating building and its spectacular collections. The volunteers are key to creating a unique visitor experience.

Edward Maitland-Carew, said: “We are indebted to ‘The Friends of Thirlestane’ who do an important job welcoming our visitors and sharing the Castle’s interesting stories with them. Without this wonderful group of people, we would not be able to open to the public each year. The money made from each visitor ticket sold goes towards protecting this magnificent building for future generations.”

All volunteers and guides will be fully trained and have support on hand to help them take advantage of this exciting opportunity to be a part of the Castle’s 16th century heritage.

To learn more about guiding and volunteering opportunities please contact the Castle directly by emailing enquiries@thirlestanecastle.co.uk or call +44 (0)1578 722430.