History of the Stewarts | Castles and Buildings
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Craigmillar Castle
Midlothian
Favourite retreat of Mary, Queen of Scots

Craigmillar Castle Edinburgh Refuge
At the core lies the original, late-14th-century tower house. It stands 17m high to the battlements, has walls almost 3m thick, and holds a warren of rooms, including a fine great hall on the first floor, and the so-called ‘Queen Mary’s Room’ beside it, where Mary is said to have slept when staying there as a guest of the Prestons. In all probability, Mary resided in a multi-roomed apartment elsewhere in the courtyard, probably in the east range. Also here is a labyrinth of dark spaces, including a grim basement prison where an upright skeleton was found walled up in the early 19th century. The west range was rebuilt as the Gilmour family’s residence after 1660. .
More information on Craigmillar can be found at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Reference: Taylor