British Castle
Craigmillar Castle
People
First Lairds
Details of the first lairds of Craigmillar are limited. One early account from the 12th century show that the lands of Craigmillar were gifted by David I to the Holy Trinity Church of Dunfermline. Then, in 1374, Robert II granted the barony of Craigmillar to Sir Symon Preston. How the church had put this land to use in the meantime is uncertain- Nor is it clear, when, or even if, the ownership had changed hands at any time during these two centuries. It is said, though, that the lands had been 'surrendered' by one William de Capella. Other records describe this event as a 'resignation'. And that Sir Symon's father Sir John had built a castle upon the land some years earlier.
The Prestons
For 3oo years the Prestons ruled Craigmillar. In 1346 Sir John de Preston received from David II a charter of the lands of Gorton some 4 miles south of Craigmillar. Then, in 1374, Sir Symon, son of Sir John, obtained a charter of the lands of Craigmillar from Robert II. From Sir Symon the estate passed through the family line until 1640 when David Preston of Whitehill, a distant relative,
became laird. And, in 1660, David's sons sold the castle and estate to Sir John Gilmour.
The Gilmours
Sir John Gilmour became a Member of Parliament in 1661 and, in the same year, was made President of the College of Justice. His son, Sir Alexander, who also became a Member of Parliament, took over the estate in 1671. Sir Alexander's son, Sir Charles, succeeded in 1731 and followed the family tradition holding the seat of Midlothian in parliament. By the end of the 18th century the Gilmours had moved to nearby Inch House map and the castle become unoccupied. The family motto was, appropriately, 'Nil penna sud usus': Not the pen but its use.
Royal Residents
The feudal system in Scotland at the time ensured that all buildings and land remained the property of the crown. It was under this system that saw the Preston family give over use of the castle on a number of occassions most famously in the 16th century to Mary queen of Scots. Her son, James VI, also spent some time at the Castle. In earlier times, the Earl of Mar, brother of James III, had been imprisoned in the dungeons and, purportedly, murdered by the king. James V also had cause to stay at Craigmillar during periods of plague and pestilence which often beset Edinburgh.