A fascinating 13th century fortress set within acres of wooded parkland on the picturesque banks of the river Esk.

From the moment you arrive at Dalhousie Castle, a warm Scottish welcome awaits. Whether relaxing in the fabulous Aqueous Spa, enjoying one of the library’s extensive collection of books and a drink from the ‘secret bar’ next to the open fire, dining in the ancient barrel vaulted dungeon on our exceptional cuisine or relaxing in your unique castle bedroom, you will always feel as welcome as the ‘Laird’.

This Scottish Castle Hotel is also an ideal venue for your own traditional Scottish gathering, whether you are planning a ceilidh, banquet, wedding, conference or meeting, or, as an individual, maybe staying on a special break, you are looking for the best of Scotland’s hospitality with all the comforts of a four star Edinburgh Hotel. Dalhousie Castle has very much kept its Scottish Castle character with features such as Falconry in the castle grounds, hydrotherapy spa with beauty treatments, luxury characterful bedrooms and a formal fine dining restaurant, yet is also so near to Edinburgh city centre, Edinburgh airport and Waverley train station. Is there a more memorable way of visiting Scotland than by staying in a Scottish Castle Hotel?

The countryside of Midlothian and the Scottish Borders is some of the loveliest to be found anywhere in the world. However, for over five hundred years it was also some of the most fiercely contested. Dalhousie Castle, standing just a few miles south of Edinburgh, occupied a position of great strategic importance, and so was witness to more than its fair share of history. What better setting could there be to enjoy Falconry, the sport of kings, with the Castle as a back drop.

It is ironic that a building, once so warlike, should have become an inviting Scottish castle hotel that now prides itself on the warmness of the welcome it extends to visitors.

Luxury Castle Accommodation

A rich tapestry of arts and culture and recent extensive renovation has created 27 beautiful bedrooms. These are decorated in Scottish design fabrics such as tweed, tartan and twill. Period furniture, rugs and carpets combine to create a richly warm and luxurious feel that’s deeply relaxing and truly welcoming. The hotel also boasts 14 historically themed bedrooms.

Total number of bedrooms: 36
Themed Suite: 2
Themed Four-poster or Themed King: 9
Themed Twin/Double: 4
Castle Standard Twin/Double/Triple/Quad: 14
Lodge Suite: 2
Lodge Double/Twin: 5

Although individually designed, all our rooms, including the standard rooms, have every comfort the modern guest could wish for. Whether you are recovering after a hard day of outdoor pursuits, or just want a little time to unwind in your own company, you are sure to feel very much at home. A 100 year old Lodge in the grounds provides an additional 6 bedrooms for those who want added seclusion in a relaxed country house atmosphere.

Dining and Private Parties

The quality of the cuisine and the unique setting make dining at Dalhousie Castle anything but ordinary. It is the perfect setting for a traditional Scottish Banquet.

Descending the worn flags of an ancient stone stairway you are ushered into the barrel vaulted dungeons. The atmosphere is heightened by the play of dramatic shadows across the rough hewn stone work, and the burnished steel of the weapons and armour that adorn the walls. It is hard to imagine a more evocative setting than the Dungeon Restaurant in which to enjoy excellent traditional Scottish Castle cuisine that features fresh local produce such as Salmon, Venison, Grouse and prime Scottish Beef.

The Orangery, with its sweeping views over the gently flowing River Esk, offers a more informal environment plus a lighter and more contemporary menu. Again the cuisine is primarily Scottish, but with Continental influences.

A dramatic stage that’s set for the great occasion

Scottish Weddings and Honeymoons

Steeped in turbulent history, the romance of Dalhousie Castle is all about. Indeed, it’s difficult to imagine a more romantic setting for a wedding ceremony or civil partnership ceremony, an occasion that will cast a spell on both the bride and groom and their guests, during the ceremony itself, afterwards at the reception and later at the celebration.

The charming private Chapel and Vestry provide the unique location for the most memorable of wedding ceremonies. The terrace doors of the Chapel that lead onto the patio overlook lush green parkland and the meandering South Esk River.

Dalhousie’s dramatic setting and luxurious ambience, of course, contribute to a honeymoon of pure bliss.

von Essen has two Chauffeur driven Rolls Royce Phantoms available for hire. Imagine arriving at your wedding in what many regard as the world's finest car.

A time for leisure. A land for adventure

In medieval times life at Dalhousie Castle would have been anything but stress free, but now all that has changed with the introduction of what was Scotland’s very first hydro spa.

For those of an active disposition, Dalhousie Castle is in an enviable position in being able to provide you with a wide variety of leisure pursuits, including Dalhousie Falconry.

Those who would like to get out and about can savour the attractions of Edinburgh, only 20 minutes away, visit other great castles or stately homes in the Scottish borders and so much more. Rosslyn (also spelt Roslin or Roslyn) Chapel, recently featured in the Da Vinci Code as a possible resting place of the Holy Grail, is only five miles from Dalhousie Castle. Could the Knights Templar have stayed at Dalhousie in the 14th century?

Conferences and Business Meetings

Dalhousie Castle is the natural setting for all kinds of memorable business conferences, meetings, product launches and incentive events. Five imposing and well equipped conference rooms and the new executive meeting room, the Cedar Room, are all versatile, benefit from natural daylight and can be made available for your exclusive use.

The friendly professionalism of the staff at Dalhousie, their attention to detail, together with the atmosphere of the Castle make it ideal for all manner of corporate events.

A rich tapestry of arts and culture and recent extensive renovation has created 27 beautiful bedrooms. These are decorated in Scottish design fabrics such as tweed, tartan and twill. Period furniture, rugs and carpets create a warm and luxurious feel.