Crichton Castle is a short drive from Edinburgh and is found in a bleak location at the end of a track off the B6367 road near Pathhead. The existing ruin appears to be a homogenous building, with four ranges grouped around a central courtyard. However, many changes have been made since John de Crichton first built a great tower house in the late fourteenth century.
The earliest records of the barony of Crichton date from the thirteenth century. John de Crichton was granted the barony by Robert III. He is largely unknown, but his tower remains intact along the eastern side of the courtyard.