House & Family History: Hawthornden was the home of poet William Drummond, who completed a new L-plan house on the site in 1638, building around the core of a ruined 15th century keep. Noted visitors to Hawthornden included Ben Jonson, who visited in 1618, and Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, who came in 1773. There are caves beneath the House that legend claims gave shelter to Robert the Bruce. In 1982 the Hawthornden Castle Fellowship was formed to offer a peaceful setting for published writers to work without disturbance. The retreat houses five writers at a time, who are known as Hawthornden Fellows.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. I, p. 112, 1852.

House Listed: Category A

Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape

Current Seat / Home of: Mrs. Henry (Drue) Heinz

Past Seat / Home of: William Drummond, 17th century; Williams-Drummond here from the late 16th century until 1982. Drue Heinz, 1982-2018.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Other

Ownership Details: Today Hawthornden Literary Retreat

House Open to Public: No

Phone: 0131-440-2180

Fax: 0131-440-1989

Historic Houses Member: No