Carberry Tower

10/10/2026

Around the Estate…

The Twin Sundial.

Now, get ready for a word drop: polyhedral. Meaning octagonal.

Prominently situated in the middle of the Royal Parterre, the historic sundial at Carberry is actually a twin sundial. And we’re proud to say, its ‘sibling’ is carefully housed in the national Museum of Scotland.

Crafted in the 17th century, the polyhedral centre features unusual pierced forms along with raised details on its faces.

The pierced ‘forms’ or hollows, are sunken geometric cavities. And the position of each carved facet allowed an observer to track time across different seasons, orientations of the sun and sometimes even by moonlight.

A little more cumbersome than a Rolex or Breitling, but an awful lot smarter in our opinion and a dashed more expensive!

It’s worth noting that the intricate dial served as a prestigious visual symbol, indicating that the Estate owners were a Family of intellectual enlightenment. Just add a good dollop of faith, music and Law to that glorious mixture and we’d like to hope that’s exactly the same case today - albeit 350 years later!

And if you’re visiting for lunch at The Hearth or coming to experience our award-winning afternoon teas, you’re warmly welcome to have a walk in the glorious gardens of Carberry afterwards and view the historic sundial personally.

To book, just visit: carberrytower.com
Or call 0131 665 3135

09/10/2026

🎅✨ THERE’S STILL TIME TO VISIT SANTA! ✨🎅

Tickets for Santa’s Grotto at Carberry Tower are still on sale, but spaces are going fast! 🎄

📅 11th – 24th December
📍 Carberry Tower Mansion House & Estate

Step into our snowy grotto for a magical visit with Santa himself, the perfect start to your family’s Christmas. ❄️

Don’t leave it too late. Book your spot today 👇
🎟️ https://www.citizenticket.com/events/carberry-tower/santa-s-grotto-2026/

02/10/2026

Around the Estate…

The Hill Organ.

In the gracious surroundings of the music room, we are very proud to own a magnificent pipe organ built by the Edinburgh offices of the renowned London specialists Hill and Son.

Originally commissioned in 1864, it was eventually installed in the mansion during the Edwardian period, as part of the renovations carried out by the eminent Scottish architect Sir Robert Lorimer.

Prior to arriving at Carberry however, all the components were carefully dismantled and packed into wooden crates before being transported by train from Edinburgh and then up to the Estate on a special horse-drawn carriage.

Made up of thousands of parts from 8’ long pipes to intricate internal mechanisms, it is an exceptional piece of craftsmanship. And the tone produced is beautifully voiced after a soft, traditional and romantic manner.

Such is the rarity of the instrument, the only other working example in Scotland, is housed in the ancient University of St Andrews.

So next time you visit for Afternoon Tea, we warmly invite you to go through the north library and into the music room, where you can glory in the sight of this magnificent musical masterpiece.

And from the past to the present, we’re also delighted to share, that later this year, the BBC are coming to film a special edition of their flagship programme ‘Songs of Praise’ at Carberry, where you’ll be able to see the magnificent Hill organ in all its glory when the program is broadcast in the New Year.

Overlooking the Royal Parterre garden, and a perfect setting to bring friends, family or loved ones for an unforgettable treat, Afternoon Tea at Carberry is served daily from 12noon in the elegant surroundings of the first floor drawing room.

To book, just click here: https://carberrytower.com/afternoontea
Or call 0131 665 3135

24/09/2026

Around the Estate…

In this week’s post, we thought we’d take you on a little history tour. Here at Carberry, we’re very privileged to have one of the prettiest, historic Game Larders in Scotland.

And no, it’s not where the Victorian’s played an early form of Monopoly, but rather a specially designed building used for the maturation of venison and game birds, long before fridges were invented.

Built during the 1800’s with a slate, flanged hip roof, ornamental cupola and decorative finials, this architecturally unique building had unglazed louvred windows to allow air flow and a thick flagstone floor to help keep things cool.

Positioned near the original kitchens, the Estate Gamekeeper would hang the meat from hooks on internal roof beams, before the Cook came and oversaw preparations on thick slate tables inside.

And although we have very high-tech refrigeration systems at Carberry nowadays, the Game Larder is a fascinating reminder of the past and the lengths Estate staff had to go to in order to provide delectable dinners around 175 years ago.

So this autumn, in honour of tradition, our Head Chef has launched a rich venison casserole on our new menu, complete with herb dumplings - no Gamekeeping required.

And to enjoy it, all you need to do is just go online and book a table at The Hearth!

Serving exceptional lunches and dinners, The Hearth at Carberry Estate is open every day from 12noon till 9.30pm.

To book, just visit our website https://www.thehearthcarberry.com 
Call 0131 665 3135
Or just walk in - you’re warmly welcome!

20/09/2026

🌲 LAST-MINUTE AVAILABILITY — Mulberry Lodge

Three nights just came free. Mon 21st – Thu 24th September, £800 for the 3 nights.

Private hot tub in your own enclosed garden, log burner for the evenings, full kitchen, and woodland right on the doorstep — all tucked away on the Carberry Tower Estate, 20 minutes from Edinburgh.

Call to book on 0131 665 3135

17/09/2026

Around the Estate…

In this new series of posts, we’re thrilled to be sharing exclusive glimpses into life around our historic Estate just outside Edinburgh.

Last week, we began with The Royal Parterre; today we invite you to feast your eyes on this magnificent specimen:
The South Beech.

Planted as a sapling on the south lawns of Carberry almost 400 years ago, the canopy now covers a quarter of an acre. And each week, it takes two hours of mowing just to cut round the fringe of lawn beneath the lower branches.

Standing firm through the Jacobite Rebellion, the Union of the Crowns, the Napoleonic Wars and both World Wars, the formidable trunk is over four metres in circumference and giant boughs sweep down into the ground and back up again into a myriad of branches.

Celebrated as one of the most spectacular specimens in the British Isles, this awe-inspiring Beech turns rusty red in autumn, before bursting forth into deep purple leaves from Spring onwards.

And just to see it, touch it and stand beneath it, you can experience the very essence of the words Gerard Manley Hopkins once wrote, when he said, “the world is charged with the grandeur of God.”

So come for lunch, afternoon tea or even morning coffee and scones. And whilst here, go outside, take some photos and just marvel….

We all feel it should be entered into
The Woodland Trust’s ‘Tree Of The Year’.
Please vote for us and tell us what you think in the comments below 🌳

17/09/2026

🎅✨ TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE! ✨🎅

Santa's Grotto returns to Carberry Tower this Christmas, and we can't wait to welcome you! 🎄

📅 11th – 24th December
📍 Carberry Tower Mansion House & Estate

Step into our snowy grotto for a magical visit with Santa himself, a memory the whole family will treasure. ❄️

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out. Book now 👇
🎟️ https://www.citizenticket.com/events/carberry-tower/santa-s-grotto-2026/

17/09/2026

🎄 Something magical is coming to Carberry Tower… 🎅✨

Santa's Grotto tickets are almost here! Keep your eyes peeled: booking opens TODAY at 5pm.

Spaces are limited, so set a reminder and be quick! ❄️

📍 Carberry Tower, Musselburgh

10/09/2026

25/07/2026

Looking for a corporate venue that inspires focus, creativity, and connection?

At Carberry Tower Mansion House and Estate, we offer a truly distinctive setting for meetings, conferences, and corporate retreats just outside Edinburgh.

With a choice of flexible event spaces, we can accommodate everything from intimate board meetings to large-scale conferences and company gatherings. Whether it’s a strategy session, training day, or full residential retreat, our historic mansion house blends character with modern functionality to support productive, seamless events.

Elevate your next corporate event in a setting where heritage meets high performance.

Get in touch with sales & Events office on [email protected]