Thirlestane Castle
9.9 Lauder, Berwickshire, Scotland
Overnight Accommodation
Sleeps 16 guests in 8 rooms
Luxury, historic castle experiences, set amongst rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, close to Edinburgh
A private retreat for focus, connection and inspiration
Set in the picturesque Scottish borders, just 40 minutes from Edinburgh, Thirlestane Castle offers a distinctive and prestigious setting for corporate events, meetings and private functions.
This 16th-century castle combines historic character with modern business facilities, providing an inspiring alternative to traditional venues.
Surrounded by tranquil parkland and the River Leader, the estate offers both privacy and accessibility, making it ideal for events of all scales.
Key Highlights
- Historic 16th-century castle venue
- Exclusive use availability year round
- Convenient access from Edinburgh and the airport
- Flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces
- Bespoke event planning and coordination
- Wide range of corporate and team-building activities
- Luxury accommodation on-site and within the estate
Meetings and Events
Not your average office!
Host your event in a truly memorable setting. From conferences and exhibitions to product launches and gala dinners, Thirlestane Castle offers a range of versatile spaces, each rich in history and character.
Whether planning a board meeting or large incentive event, Thirlestane provides a tailored approach to suit your objectives. Elegant interiors and expansive grounds allow for a seamless blend of formal business sessions and engaging activities.
Break-out spaces, workshop areas and outdoor settings encourage creativity, collaboration and fresh thinking.
Facility’s highlights
- Day-delegate rates for meetings
- Indoor capacity for up to 100 guests
- Flexible layouts for workshops, presentations and discussions
- Fully-equipped meeting spaces with AV and Wi-Fi
- Outdoor areas, ideal for walking meetings and reflection
- Calm, natural surroundings that support wellbeing and focus
- Extensive grounds and gardens, ideal for marquees and large-scale outdoor events
For high-impact occasions, the castle also offers unique features such as helicopter access and bespoke event experiences.
Dining
Exceptional cuisine in inspiring surroundings
Entertain clients and colleagues with dining that’s as memorable as the setting. From grand state rooms to more informal, characterful spaces, every meal at Thirlestane forms an integral part of your experience.
Whether it’s a relaxed working lunch, an informal dinner, or an elegant evening banquet, the castle’s versatile spaces set the perfect tone for connection and conversation.
Menus are carefully crafted, using the finest locally sourced ingredients, and can be fully tailored to your schedule and preferences, ensuring every dining experience nourishes, energises, and impresses.
What to expect
- Grand state rooms for elegant dinners and formal gatherings
- Informal spaces, including the Victorian kitchen and cobbled courtyard for relaxed lunches or casual meals
- Outdoor marquee dining on the front lawn or in the gardens, with the castle as a dramatic backdrop
- Menus crafted from the finest locally-sourced ingredients, fully tailored to your schedule
Team Building
Strengthen relationships and build momentum through tailored team experiences across the estate.
From traditional 'Highland Games' and outdoor challenges to more relaxed activities, such as whisky-tasting and falconry displays, every experience is designed to engage and inspire. Programmes can be fully customised to suit your team’s goals and energy.
Activities include
- 'Highland Games' and outdoor challenges
- Clay-pigeon shooting and archery
- Falconry displays and whisky-tastings
- Off-road driving experiences and live demonstrations
Accommodation
Extend your retreat with overnight accommodation within the castle. Each beautifully appointed bedroom blends classic elegance with modern comfort.
Additional accommodation in the Woodland Lodges, located on the Lauderdale Estate, ensures flexibility for larger groups, combining convenience with a sense of retreat.
Whether for a single night or a multi-day retreat, the accommodation at Thirlestane Castle ensures your team can fully switch off, recharge and return refreshed.
Accommodation highlights
- Eight individually styled castle bedrooms, blending historic character with modern comfort.
- En-suite bathroom, spacious layouts and private sitting areas
- King, super-king and twin room options, with additional Woodland Lodges for larger groups
- Views across the estate’s rolling parkland, providing a true sense of escape
- Dedicated workspaces and quiet corners for reflection or informal meetings
Prices
Thirlestane Castle and its surrounding estate can be booked in a variety of ways, whether for intimate meetings, overnight stays, or large-scale events across the grounds.
All pricing is bespoke, tailored to your specific requirements, ensuring your retreat or event is perfectly suited to your team and objectives.
Contact us today to check availability and discuss a personalised proposal.
Location
Thirlestane Castle is located in the Lauderdale Estate in the Scottish Borders, just 35 minutes south of Edinburgh in the charming town of Lauder. A visit to the estate is an opportunity to enjoy some beautiful walking routes, offering incredible views of the surrounding area and glimpses of local wildlife.
Reviews
9.9
My husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary, with a visit to the UK and staying at Thirlestane was such a perfect spot to slow down for a few days, away from the hustle of the big cities, but plenty enough to do within an hour’s drive. The apartment we stayed in was very spacious, very clean and comfortable. We were able to get such a good night’s sleep on the comfy king sized bed. The kitchen had such a smart setup with everything you would need & the food hampers were quite generous. One hamper was plenty for a few days’ breakfast. I will highly recommend this as a place to stay when visiting Scotland. Oh and Scotland is soooo lovely and quiet and I just couldn’t get enough of the landscape and quaint villages. And make sure to visit Holy Island while you’re there. Not too far of a drive and such a wonderful spot to spend a day. Enjoyed every bit of our stay at Thirlestane Castle!
From start to finish, the team were amazing at ensuring we had thought of everything – wedding planning is a daunting experience, but their expertise and professionalism helped to ensure it was a smooth sailing journey for us. Nothing was ever too much hassle… we really appreciated them taking that last-minute stress off our shoulders. Any bride and groom in the future would be incredibly lucky to work with Thirlestane Castle’s team to put together their special day.
Thirlestane Castle was the perfect location for our wedding with stunning views and a fascinating history. The hospitality and attention to detail from the Thirlestane team was incredible, Monica was such a source of support and steady calm in the build-up and throughout the day. So many of our friends and family commented on how the whole day was unlike anything they’d ever experienced before – an absolute dream. Thanks to the Thirlestane staff for everything!
As we looked for venues around Edinburgh, Thirlestane stood out with its unique combination of beautiful, historic interior spaces, incredible grounds, and idyllic surroundings in the Borders. From the very start of taking a venue tour, we felt so welcomed and excited. The ceremony in the Rose Garden and drinks reception were amazing backdrops to help us appreciate the day’s significance. Our friends and family have singled out the overall experience as one of the most special they’ve had, and we couldn’t agree more. We had the best weekend of our lives at Thirlestane Castle, and we can’t wait to come back to celebrate!
“We could not be happier with our choice of venue in Thirlestane Castle. From the moment we visited, we were in awe of the beauty of the architecture and interiors, the surrounding grounds, and the amazing history of the Castle. Monica and the entire Thirlestane Castle team were amazing partners to work with both during the planning process and on the day of. They were incredibly organized, welcoming, and experienced. We love the bespoke nature of the wedding planning process and were able to create a unique set of experiences for our guests, utilizing multiple spaces across the property. One of the highlights of our weekend was the fact that both families as well as the bridal party could stay on site. Overall, for any couples looking for an unforgettable, stunningly beautiful, unique, and historic wedding venue close to Edinburgh, we could not recommend Thirlestane Castle highly enough!”