Dirleton Castle was founded by John de Vaux in 1225 and stands in the attractive village of the same name. The castle was rebuilt and enlarged in the 14th century by the Halyburton family after being demolished in 1311 by King Robert Bruce to prevent it being garrisoned by the English during the Wars of Independence. It then passed to the Ruthven and Erskine families before being badly damaged in 1650 by General Monk during the Cromwellian War. It passed to the Nisbet family in 1663 but was soon abandoned as a home in favour of the nearby mansion of Archerfield. Despite subsequently being quarried for its stones by local builders, substantial ruins remain including the drawbridge, chapel and pit-prison. The castle is surrounded by fine gardens which contain a doocot from 1550.

Visitor information: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk phone 01620 850 330.

Hailes Castle stands on the south bank of the River Tyne one-and-a-half miles southwest of East Linton. The extensive ruin dates from the 13th century when it was started by the Gourlay family. The castle was owned in the 16th century by James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell and third husband of Mary Queen of Scots. He brought her to Hailes on their flight from Borthwick Castle in 1567. Hailes was reduced to ruins by Oliver Cromwell's army in 1650. The castle was sold to Sir David Dalrymple of the noted legal family, whose grandson became Lord Hailes. The castle was gifted to the nation in 1926 by the former Prime Minister Arthur Balfour, its last private owner.

Open all year.

Massive Tantallon Castle is another that was ruined by Cromwell's army in 1650. The castle was a stronghold of the powerful Douglas family and stands in a dramatic setting on the edge of high cliffs three miles east of North Berwick. Originally built by William, 1st Earl of Douglas (1327-1384), the castle passed through his illegitimate son to the Earls of Angus or 'Red' Douglases. The extended site at Tantallon includes a doocot, earthwork defences, a dry moat, and a massive 50 foot high curtain wall with flanking towers. The gatehouse tower was enlarged and remodelled by King James V in the 16th century.

Visitor information: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk , tel. 01620 892727.

Lennoxlove House near Haddington dates back to before the 14th century and contains treasures from the Hamilton Palace Collection as well as the death mask of Mary Queen of Scots, her silver casket and sapphire ring.

Visitor information: web: www.lennoxlove.com , tel. 01620 823 720.

Newhailes House at Newhailes Road, Musselburgh is a fine mansion built in 1686 by Scottish architect James Smith and added to in the 18th century. Its library was described by Dr. Johnson as 'the most learned room in Europe' as it played host to many of the leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. It has been described as a 'time capsule' as most of its original decoration and furnishings have survived intact. It has been carefully restored by the National Trust for Scotland after being donated to the nation in 1997. Visitor information: Best book your visit to avoid disappointment, tel. 0131 653 5599,  e-mail information@nts.org.uk , web www.nts.org.uk .

Winton House at the village of Pencaitland is still a family home after 500 years and contains many art treasures and fine furniture including a fine collection of paintings by Scottish artists.

Visitor information: web www.wintonhouse.co.uk , tel. 01875 340222, e-mail enquiries@wintonhouse.co.uk .

Seton Collegiate Church at Port Seton dates to the 15th century. The transepts and steeple were added by the widow of Lord Seton, who was killed with King James IV at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

Visitor information: tel. 01875 813 334, e-mail hs.explorer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk .

St. Mary's Parish Church sitting alongside the River Tyne in Haddington is one of the three great pre-Reformation churches surviving in the Lothians, the others being St. Giles in Edinburgh and St. Michael's at Linlithgow. The church is a source of pride for the local community who organised its restoration in the 1970s after its partial destruction by an English army in 1548.

Visitor information: tel. 01620 823 109 / 01620 825 111.