Tailored Itineraries
Group Discounts
Memorable Experiences
Discover our Group Tours
Whether your group are exploring Thirlestane Castle for the first time or looking to delve deeper into the Castle’s collection, we have a variety of tour options to suit your requirements.
Our experienced guides will bring Thirlestane’s 400 year history to life on this insightful Guided Tour. Coach and group visits are welcome year round when booked in advance, subject to availability.
£12.50 per person
Guided Tour with tea/coffee and a Scottish Sweat Treat – £16.00 per person
Guided Tour Highlights include:
- Exquisite 17th Century Dunsterfield gold gilded plasterwork ceilings
- One of the largest collections of family portraits in Scotland including works by Lely, Romney, Scougal, Reynolds, Lawrence and Gainsborough.
- Connections to key historical figures including Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots
- The Castle has been in the Maitland family for over 400 years
- Toy Museum ‘School Room’ featuring Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian toys
Explore the fascinating history behind Thirlestane’s architecture and the three main periods of building (1590, 1670 and 1840) showcasing works by architects, Sir William Bruce and Bryce and Burn.
Discover the exquisite plaster work ceilings, created by George Dunsterfield, and one of the largest collections of family portraits in Scotland including works by Lely, Romney, Scougal, Reynolds, Lawrence and Gainsborough. This tour will take you through the changing styles of each century and give you insight into the artists.
Specialist Guided Tour – £20 per person
Historic home of the Duke of Lauderdale, Thirlestane and the Maitland family have played their part in both Scottish and British military history including offering support to Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite rebellion. Learn about the surrender of the Emperor Napoleon to Captain Frederick Maitland, the commanding officer of HMS Bellerophon and how the Castle played its part in offering a place of rest and recuperation for officers during the first world war.
Come face to face with some notable family members who served with valour throughout the centuries as our guides bring their military stories to life taking you on a interesting journey through Scottish history.
Specialist Guided Tour – £20 per person
Specialist Guided Tour – £20 per person
Following a Guided Tour of Thirlestane Castle, your group can enjoy a delicious light lunch comprising of soup, sandwiches and traybake. Enjoy exclusive access to our Victorian Kitchen where lunch will be served with dreamy rose garden views. These kitchens were originally built to service the State Dining Room, with its great cast iron range. It’s a unique place for an authentic dining experience and for this reason it is favoured by the Maitland-Carews.
Prices start from £31.50 p/p
Following a Guided Tour of Thirlestane Castle, your group can enjoy a decadent Afternoon Tea crafted by the local award-winning Lauder bakery, Firebrick Brasserie. The menu consists of a selection of finger sandwiches made using homemade bread and locally sourced ingredients, scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of mouthwatering sweet treats.
Afternoon Tea will be served in the Victorian Kitchen, with its original 19th-century range oven, and views overlooking the Castle’s rose garden.
Prices start from £38.50 p/p
Upon arrival, your group will be greeted by one of our exceptional guides. Guests are taken on a journey where the Castle is brought to life through stories of its history, collections and the Maitland family. Discover the splendid State Rooms, and connections with Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots.
Following the exploration of Thirlestane, guests are invited to dine in one of the Castle’s historic spaces.
For a more formal experience, choose the dramatic portrait-lined State Dining Room with intricate 17th-century plasterwork ceilings. Guests can enjoy a three-course menu paired with wine from the Castle cellar.
Alternatively, enjoy a more relaxed experience with a lighter two-course menu in the Victorian Kitchen. This room looks out over the Rose Garden and is home to artefacts from the Castle’s collection.
For further information and to receive pricing, please enquire with our team here.
Enhance your itinerary
Our team can create bespoke itineraries that incorporate dining and activity experiences for a truly unforgettable day at Thirlestane
The finer details
Situated just off the A68 – a major road running from Darlington in England to Edinburgh – in the pretty village of Lauder, Thirlestane Castle is a brilliantly unique travel destination. Located just 20 minutes from Melrose, a trip to Thirlestane can easily be tied into visiting other big houses such as Abbotsford.
An impressive 16th century castle, Thirlestane is located near other major attractions in the Scottish Borders and is just 40 minutes south of Edinburgh. If you’re looking to explore beyond the Thirlestane Estate during your trip, we can help organise joint itineraries with other historic houses and castles in the region.
All travel trade enquiries are welcomed. Our team are on hand to answer information requests, arrange bespoke tours or familiarisation visits and to supply the materials needed to build itineraries. We’re able to facilitate group and FIT tours and arrange for accommodation and experiences for the during of the clients stay.
We offer:
- Familiarisation visits for your staff or key clients
- Group and FIT itineraries
- Luxury accommodation
- Specialised, themed and exclusive experiences
- Bespoke dining and activities
- Gift shop with beautiful Thirlestane Castle gifts and exclusive Maitland collectables
- Free coach and car parking
- Complimentary refreshments for coach drivers and tour guides
Allow us to create unforgettable memories for your clients with a stay in our Castle suites. Perfect for couples or families, a stay at Thirlestane is a unique way to end a trip around Scotland or the UK with an authentic Castle experience.
Luxury meets history within our unique accommodation, spectacularly decorated and finished to a 5-star standard with antiques and artwork from the Castle’s collections. Guests can enhance their stay with a variety of experiences available, such as spa treatments, a bagpiper or a guided tour of the Castle.
FIT guests will receive a complimentary continental breakfast hamper filled with goods from local suppliers. All suites are self-catered, or guests can choose to dine out in Lauder which is just 5 minutes from the Castle.
To request a copy of our sample FIT Packages please contact us.
Q1. What is the discounted group price for a standard guided tour ticket?
A1. £12.50 per person. The price for specialist tours is £20 per person.
Q2. To qualify for the group discount, what size does the group have to be?
A2. 10+ people.
Q3. How much is catering and activities?
A3. All costs are bespoke. We can provide prices and menus on request.
Q4. Are groups required to book in advance?
A4. Advance booking is required, subject to availability.
Q5. What are the payment terms?
A5. Full payment and final numbers are required 14 days in advance of your visit. Deposit required to secure booking.
Q6. Do you host familiarisation visits?
A6. Yes, we can arrange familiarisation visits for your staff or key clients.
Q7. Is the castle fully accessible?
A7. No, not all of the castle is accessible for visitors with mobility issues due to stairs – please enquire for more details.
Q8. Can coaches drive straight up to the front of the castle?
A8. Yes, the coach drop-off point is right in front of the castle’s main steps. We also offer complimentary coach parking.
Q 9. Do you offer complimentary refreshments for the coach driver?
A9. Yes, we offer a complimentary refreshment to the driver. Advance notice preferred.
Q10. Do you offer any free places for the tour leader/organiser?
A10. Yes, we offer a free place for tour leader/organiser.
Q11. Are your grounds available for groups to walk around in?
A11. Yes, we have several walks for visitors to enjoy.
Q12. When is the Castle open for Guided Tours?
A12. The Castle is open year round for groups but they must be booked in advance.
