Midhope Castle is a historic tower house situated near the village of Kirkliston in West Lothian, Scotland. The structure dates from the late 16th century and exemplifies the L‑plan design common to Scottish fortified residences of that period. Constructed primarily of locally quarried stone, the building originally comprised a main block with a projecting stair‑tower, a vaulted ground‑floor kitchen, and a series of small defensive apertures.
The castle was historically owned by the Riddell family, who acquired the estate in the early 17th century. It remained in private hands for several centuries, undergoing various phases of alteration and repair. In the early 20th century, the house fell into a state of disrepair, after which it was restored by successive owners who adapted the interior for modern domestic use while preserving the external medieval character.
Midhope Castle is designated a Category A listed building under the Scottish system of heritage protection, indicating its national architectural and historic significance. The surrounding estate includes ancillary structures such as a 19th‑century stable block and remnants of a walled garden, both of which contribute to the site's scheduled monument status.
The castle has occasionally been utilized as a filming location; notably, it served as a backdrop for the television series Outlander (Season 5, 2021), where it portrayed the fictional “Gordon House”. This usage has increased public interest in the property and its conservation.
Access to Midhope Castle is restricted, as it remains a private residence. However, the exterior can be viewed from public footpaths that traverse the surrounding countryside, and the site is occasionally included in heritage open‑day events organized by local historical societies.
