Craigmillar Castle Park

The castle ruins themselves are the main draw here, but it's the surrounding parkland that makes Craigmillar worth the trip from Musselburgh. You're walking through proper woodland with decent views across the Lothian landscape - the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think. The castle itself dates back centuries and has real presence, even as a ruin. It's free to wander the grounds, though getting inside the tower requires a bit of scrambling and isn't for the unsteady.

History buffs will spend a good two hours here. The castle has actual teeth to it - Mary Queen of Scots connections, medieval battles, all that. Families with older kids find it decent for an hour or so, though younger ones tend to get bored once they've clambered around the stones. The paths are manageable, if a bit muddy after rain.

Allow at least ninety minutes if you want to do the walk properly and poke around the ruins. Mornings are quieter than afternoons. It works well as part of a wider ramble in East Lothian - you could easily chain it with other local walking routes. If you're staying at Drummohr Camping & Glamping Site just down the road, this is practically on your doorstep and worth an afternoon visit. Bring decent shoes and expect to get a bit windswept up there.