thought it better to settle his family there rather than in Lothian. He had even thought of being buried in Lauder Kirk. By the 19th century, in more peaceful times, the castle took on the role of a Scottish country mansion for the Earls of Lauderdale. In 1840 the Edinburgh architects David Bryce and William Burn were engaged to design extensions to the castle. Their additions consist of two large wings flanking the central keep and a south wing, constructed around a central courtyard, housing new kitchens, pantries, laundries and servants' quarters. During World War Two the castle was home to St. Hilary's, a girls' school evacuated from Edinburgh. The 15th Earl and Countess of Lauderdale lived in the north wing of the castle, while the school used the rest. The dorms were on the upper floors, while the main rooms were classrooms. The great dining room was used as the school dining room and assembly hall. St. Hilary's remained at Thirlestane until the end of 1944 when they returned to Edinburgh. The castle today Captain Gerald Maitland-Carew inherited the castle in 1972 from his maternal grandmother, Ethel, Countess of Lauderdale, wife of the 15th Earl. At this time, the castle was in a serious state of disrepair, requiring extensive renovation. In 1984 the castle was given to a charitable trust established to ensure its preservation, and major repairs were carried out, assisted by financial grants awarded by the Historic Buildings Council and the National Heritage Memorial Fund. In addition to the grounds, the castle itself and its interiors, Thirlestane is noted for fine collections of paintings, furniture, porcelain and an historic toy collection. In 2016 the castle is open to visitors from 3 May until 2 October (Tuesday to Thursday and Sundays). In June 2021, planning permission was granted to Lauderdale Estates to construct holiday lodges in the Castle grounds. References External links Thirlestane Castle website Thirlestane Castle, Gazetteer for Scotland Groundplan of English fort, plate 66 in Hale, John Rigby, Renaissance War Studies, Hambledon (1983) Clan Maitland Society web site See also List of places in the Scottish Borders Castles in the Scottish Borders Category A listed buildings in the Scottish Borders Listed castles in Scotland Country houses in the Scottish Borders William Bruce buildings Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes Gardens in the Scottish Borders Historic house museums in the Scottish Borders Castles and forts of the