Dalhousie Castle facts for kids
Dalhousie Castle is a historic castle located in Cockpen, Midlothian, Scotland. It's found near the town of Bonnyrigg, about 8 miles (13 km) south of Edinburgh. For many centuries, Dalhousie Castle was the main home of the Earls of Dalhousie. These Earls were the leaders, or chieftains, of a Scottish family group known as Clan Ramsay.
Contents
History of Dalhousie Castle
The Ramsay Family Begins
The story of Dalhousie Castle begins with Simundus de Ramesie, also known as Simon of Ramsey. He was an English knight from a village called Ramsey. Around 1140, Simundus followed his lord, David, to Scotland. David later became King David I of Scotland. Simundus is considered the founder of the Ramsay family. He was the first to own the lands where Dalhousie Castle now stands.
Building the Castle Walls
The first castle at Dalhousie was built by Simundus. This red stone castle sits in a very good spot, looking over the River Esk. The oldest part of the castle you see today is the drum tower. It dates back to the mid-1400s. Most of the castle as it looks now was built in the 1600s. Long ago, a dry moat, which is a ditch, surrounded the castle. This moat was later filled in. However, parts of it were dug up again in the late 1900s.
Famous Visitors and Battles
Dalhousie Castle has seen many important moments in history. King Edward I of England, also known as Longshanks, stayed at the castle. He was on his way to meet Sir William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk. In 1400, Sir Alexander Ramsay bravely defended Dalhousie. He held out for six months against English forces led by King Henry IV. Later, Oliver Cromwell used the castle as a base. He was leading an invasion of Scotland. Many Earls of Dalhousie have played important roles in British politics and military leadership.
Changes Over Time
Around 1800, a new design was made for the castle's walled garden. This was done by Walter Nicol.
In the early 1900s, the main home of Clan Ramsay moved to Brechin Castle. However, the Ramsay family still owned Dalhousie Castle until 1977. When it was sold, Dalhousie had been owned by the same family for over 800 years. This is longer than any other castle in Scotland. Throughout the 1900s, the castle was rented out. It was even used as a boarding school for a while. In 1972, Dalhousie Castle was turned into a hotel. In 2003, a company called Von Essen Hotels bought the castle. They reportedly paid £10 million for it.
Fire and New Owners
On June 26, 2004, a big fire broke out in the castle's roof. Everyone was safely evacuated. Firefighters were called to put out the blaze. The damage was significant but did not affect the main structure. The castle was repaired, and the hotel reopened.
In April 2011, Von Essen Hotels faced financial difficulties. The castle was put up for sale with a guide price of £7.5 million. In March 2012, it was announced that Robert Parker had bought Dalhousie Castle. He owns other historic properties. The price he paid was not made public.
Images for kids
-
From the hillside
-
From the rear
-
Dalhousie Castle Midlothian
