Lauderdale House, Dunbar Lying prominently at the end of Dunbar's High Street is Lauderdale House. The original house was built around 1740 for Captain James Fall, a local Member of Parliament. Unfortunately his son, a Provost and merchant in Dunbar was forced to sell it when he fell on hard times. James Maitland, the 8th Earl of Lauderdale, purchased the house and commissioned architect Robert Adam (1728-92) to remodel and extend it. However, Adam died before the work was finished and the house was completed by his younger brother, James (1732-94). The house consists of a central block (based on the original house of 1740), to which the Adams attached two flanking pavilions. In the centre of the front is a particularly handsome semi-circular porch, supported by four Ionic columns. Used as a military headquarters from the middle of the 18th Century and then coming into the hands of the local council, the house was recently converted and divided into private flats
The storm battered remains of Dunbar Castle are located overlooking the lovely harbour at Dunbar. Although coastal erosion has removed much of this truly important castle, fragmentary remains still survive and it is definitely worthy of a visit. The castle was built some time during the 13th century to replace an earlier wooden fort and Dark Age setllement, which was located on the headland where the Dunbar leisure pool is now sited. The castle protected the town and controlled the road between Scotland and England. Consequently, the castle has seen a turbulent history and was besieged many times, most famously in 1338 when Black Agnus defended it for 19 weeks. Dunbar Castle has been associated with many important historical figures and it was where Mary Queen of Scots was held after Bothwell kidnapped her and later married her. The castle has seen numerous modifications and rebuilds over the centuries. During the 16th century a blockhouse was added and until 1993-1994, a covered walkway linked the castle and the blockhouse.
