Preston Tower
6 minute walk from Prestonpans station · Edinburgh and South East · Free entry
Preston Tower is a historic L-plan keep located in the ancient Scottish village of Prestonpans. Originally built as a four-storey structure, some of which may date back to the 14th century, it was later heightened in 1626 with two additional storeys featuring elegant Renaissance windows.
The tower has a dramatic history, having been burnt by the Earl of Hertford in 1544 and again by Oliver Cromwell in 1650. You can still see the initials of Sir John and Dame Katherine Hamilton carved into the stone. Notable defensive features once included a "hoarding" above the entrance for dropping boulders or boiling oil on attackers, as well as a pit-prison located on-site.
Today, visitors can explore the grounds of this ruined keep, which is situated near other historic houses. The site features a beautiful laburnum arch, a peaceful herb garden, and a mid-17th-century lectern-style doocot built after the tower was sacked by Cromwell.
Visitor information
- Place type
- Castle
- Good for
- Castles, Gardens, Historic monuments, Military history
- Characteristics
- Medieval, Ruin
- Admission
- Free
- Region
- Edinburgh and South East
Stations within walking distance
- Prestonpans station — 6 min walk, 0.5 km
- Wallyford station — 39 min walk, 3.2 km
Other places near Prestonpans
- John Muir Way: Prestonpans to North Berwick — 12 min walk from the station
- Prestonpans Battlefield 1745 — 15 min walk from the station
- Royal Musselburgh Golf Club — 26 min walk from the station
- Cockenzie Harbour — 31 min walk from the station
- Prestongrange Museum — 34 min walk from the station
- Cockenzie House & Gardens — 34 min walk from the station