- Historic guests: King Edward I, Oliver Cromwell, Queen Victoria all stayed here.
- Atmospheric castle: Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited castle transformed into a luxury hotel.
- Accommodation: 29 plush B&B rooms offering comfort and charm.
- Facilities: Top-class restaurant, excellent spa, and woodland setting by the River Esk.
- History: Rich local and national historical significance adds to its allure.
Dalhousie Castle Hotel in Bonnyrigg near Edinburgh, has the distinction of being Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited castle, one which has now been transformed into a uniquely atmospheric luxury hotel.
With 29 plush B&B rooms, a top-class restaurant, excellent spa facilities, and a serene woodland setting by the banks of the River Esk, it is one of the East of Scotland’s finest hotels.
It can also boast an incredible amount of local and national history (see the history section below) that few hotels, castle hotels, or otherwise, can easily match.
The Rooms:
- Luxury rooms: Classic styling with modern comforts and warm, inviting colours.
- Opulent suites: Some suites offer the ultimate in grandeur and luxury.
- Castle & lodge: 29 rooms in the castle, 6 in the lodge nestled in the woods.
- Full access: Guests enjoy all common areas and grounds regardless of room location.
- See each room in detail here
The castle has a great selection of luxury B&B bedrooms and suites, all of them with modern comforts and facilities but with classic styling and warm inviting colours.
Some of the suites, though obviously expensive, are the last word in grandeur and opulence.
29 of the units are within the castle while six of them are located in the lodge, a nice old-style country house hidden in the woods.
Guests of either though can of course enjoy full access to the common areas of the castle and the grounds.
Prices:
Enter your dates & check prices here
Facilities & Things to Do:
- Fine dining: Dungeon Restaurant offers atmospheric medieval-style meals, Orangery Restaurant has river views.
- Relaxing grounds: Beautiful gardens and woodland for peaceful walks.
- Spa facilities: Multi-massage jet pool, Turkish steam bath, Roman dry sweat room, Kneipp foot baths, rain & fog shower.
- Therapies: Massage and health & beauty treatments using Darphin products.
- Activities: Board games and book collections inside; archery, clay pigeon shooting, and falconry outdoors.
The castle has many common areas to explore; there is the very atmospheric, medieval-style, Dungeon Restaurant for some fine dining, the more informal Orangery Restaurant which has lovely views over the river.
Outside you can enjoy a relaxing walk through the beautifully tended gardens and surrounding woodland.
There are spa facilities on offer too, including a multi-massage jet pool, a Turkish-style steam bath, an ancient Roman-style dry sweat room, Kneipp foot baths, and a rain & fog shower.
Massage services are offered too as are various health and beauty therapies using the Darphin line of beauty products.
In terms of activities, inside the castle you’ll find board games and book collections, while outside on the grounds guests are welcome to try their hand at archery, clay pigeon shooting, and falconry.
The Location:
- Close to Edinburgh: Less than ten miles to the city centre for culture, dining, and nightlife.
- Whisky tours: Glenkinchie Distillery nearby offers tours and tastings.
- Unique attractions: Butterfly World showcases exotic butterflies and insects.
- Horse riding: Lessons available at nearby Lasswade Stables for all levels and ages.
- Golf access: Preferential rates for castle guests at local golf centres including Duddingston.
- Concierge services: Staff can arrange salmon fishing, guided excursions, and other activities with preferential access.
One of the advantages of Dalhousie Castle Hotel is its proximity to Edinburgh. Close but not too close.
The city centre is less than ten miles away, so enjoy all that Scotland’s lively capital has to offer before retiring to the peace of the castle.
Outside the city, and near the castle, there are also some other interesting diversions and sights to be enjoyed.
Glenkinchie Distillery for example is a must for lovers of whisky, with informative tours and tasting sessions available.
Another interesting, more alternative day out, maybe is the also nearby Butterfly World, which has a huge collection of butterflies and other insects from around the world.
There are also opportunities for horse riding near the castle at Lasswade Stables with lessons for all levels and for both adults and children above the age of two.
And for golf lovers, there is a centre that offers preferential rates for guests at the castle hotel.
The staff and concierge at the castle hotel can also arrange many other excursions and activities in the area and in many cases can get guests preferential rates for days out salmon fishing on the River Tweed or day passes to Edinburgh’s Duddingston Golf Course.
A Little History:
- 13th-century origins: Only the foundation walls and vaults remain from the original building.
- Ramsay family: Castle long associated with the Ramsay surname arriving in Scotland in the 11th/12th century.
- Historic battles: Hosted King Edward I and saw involvement in the Battle of Bannockburn and other conflicts.
- Royal loyalty: Ramsays supported Queen Mary of Scots, King James IV, and other Scottish royalty.
- Civil War role: Castle used by Oliver Cromwell and Parliamentarians in 1648.
- Renovations: 8th and 9th Earls restored much of the castle’s grandeur by the early 19th century.
- Queen Victoria visit: In 1840, she visited to take tea with the 10th Earl of Dalhousie.
- End of Ramsay ownership: Castle remained with the family until 1977, spanning eight centuries.
Dalhousie Castle dates all the way back to the 13th century, though of the original building only the sturdy foundation walls and the vaults are left.
Most of the rest of the basic structure dates back to the middle of the 15th century when red stone from around the River Esk was used to update the building, and thereafter various modifications and small touches were done here and there throughout the following centuries.
The castle has long been synonymous with the Ramsay surname which is believed to have arrived in the area in the late 11th or early 12th century from Cambridgeshire, possibly in the company of King David the 1st of Scotland when he returned to his homeland from exile in England.
Some Guest Reviews:
“From the moment we arrived we knew we were in for a treat. The castle is beautiful with a stunning views next to near by fields and stream. Breakfast was fantastic, which included a full complementary hot breakfast as well as the standard continental breakfast. The room was beautifully presented and comfortable. A walk around the castle and a local falconry experience on the grounds is a must do!..”
“The location was so beautiful. We loved sitting in the library, sipping cocktails waiting to be escorted to the dungeon for our 3-course meal. We had a wonderful time walking around and through the property. Everything felt so old-worldly and majestic…”
Read all reviews, and check prices & availability, here
