Melville Castle

Melville Castle stands on a wooded rise above the North Esk, less than two kilometres west-south-west of Dalkeith in Midlothian. It is a three-storey Gothic mansion built in the late 18th century for Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. The present building replaced an earlier castle first recorded in 1155 and owned by Galfrid de Malle. The estate passed through the Ross family and then to the Rennie family before coming to Dundas by marriage in the 18th century. The castle was later used as an army rehabilitation centre and then a hotel before falling into disrepair. The castle has welcomed notable visitors for centuries. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed frequently and planted five oak trees along the drive; one of her apartments housed her secretary David Rizzio. King George IV visited in 1828, prompting the creation of a direct road between Melville Castle and Buccleuch Palace. Queen Victoria arrived in 1842, and Sir Walter Scott often visited, mentioning the estate in his poem “The Gray Brother.” Local football club Hibernian even has a song about the castle. Today the castle operates as a hotel and wedding venue within 54 acres of parkland and woodland. The 33 bedrooms and suites mix historic features like four-poster beds with modern comforts and views over the grounds. Indoor dining spaces cater for up to 60 guests, while a marquee can hold 160 diners and 200 for evening receptions. The grounds include the oak trees planted by Mary, Queen of Scots, and remain open to guests.