Lauriston Castle

Lauriston Castle is a 16th-century tower house with graceful 19th-century Jacobean extensions, situated in 30 acres of parkland overlooking the Firth of Forth in Edinburgh. Built around 1593 by Sir Archibald Napier for his son, the castle was expanded in 1827 by renowned architect William Burn to harmonize with the original structure. The grounds feature formal gardens laid out by William Playfair in the 1840s, including a distinctive Japanese Friendship Garden gifted by the people of Kyoto. In 1902, wealthy cabinet maker William Reid purchased Lauriston and filled it with an exceptional collection of fine art and furniture, which remains intact as the basis for today's museum. Now owned by the City of Edinburgh Council, the castle offers visitors a glimpse into Edinburgh's genteel heritage with spectacular coastal views and professionally curated collections.