Dalmeny House facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dalmeny House
Dalmeny House, south front
Location	Dalmeny, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
OS grid reference	NT168780
Built	1817
Built for	Archibald Primrose, 4th Earl of Rosebery
Architect	William Wilkins
Architectural style(s)	Tudor Gothic Revival
Listed Building – Category A
Designated	22 February 1971
Reference no.	LB82
Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
Criteria	Work of Art Historical Architectural Scenic Nature Conservation
Designated	1 July 1987
Reference no.	GDL00130
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Dalmeny House is a grand old house near Dalmeny, in the north-west of Edinburgh, Scotland. It sits close to the Firth of Forth, which is a large sea inlet. The house was designed by an architect named William Wilkins. It was finished in 1817.

Dalmeny House is the family home of the Earl and Countess of Rosebery. It was the very first house in Scotland built in the Tudor Revival style. This style looks like buildings from the Tudor period in England. The new house was much more comfortable than their old family home, Barnbougle Castle, which is still nearby. Dalmeny House is still a private home today. However, you can visit it during the summer months. The house is considered a very important historic building. Its beautiful gardens are also protected.

History of Dalmeny House

Early Owners and Old Castles

Long ago, in the 1200s, the land where Dalmeny House now stands belonged to the Mowbray family. They built a castle called Barnbougle Castle on the estate. In 1402, a knight from the Mowbray family, Sir John Mowbray, was honored at a battle.

The Primrose Family Takes Over

The Primrose family bought the estate in 1662. Sir Archibald Primrose was the first of his family to own it. His son later became the first Earl of Rosebery in 1703. An Earl is a noble title, like a duke or a baron.

Building a New Home

In the late 1700s, the 3rd Earl of Rosebery, Neil Primrose, thought about building a new house. He hired famous architects like Robert Adam to draw plans. But instead of building, he focused on planting trees and creating a walled garden.

His son, Archibald Primrose, continued the idea of a new house. He became the 4th Earl of Rosebery in 1814. He wanted a house in the Tudor Gothic style. He chose William Wilkins to design it. Wilkins had gone to university with the Earl. The house was finally built in 1817. Its design was inspired by an old English manor house from the 1500s called East Barsham Manor.

Famous Visitors to Dalmeny

Many years later, in 1927, Dalmeny House welcomed some very special guests. Queen Mary visited the house with her daughter, Mary, the Princess Royal.

Inside Dalmeny House

Rooms and Collections

While the outside of Dalmeny House looks like an old Tudor castle, many of the main rooms inside are in the elegant Regency style. One special feature is the main hall, which has a beautiful hammerbeam roof. This type of roof has large, curved wooden beams.

The house is filled with amazing art and furniture. Many of these items come from both the Rosebery family and the famous Rothschild family. This is because the 5th Earl married Hannah Rothschild in 1878. She was the daughter of a very wealthy man, Meyer de Rothschild.

Napoleonic Memorabilia

Dalmeny House also has one of the largest collections of items related to Napoleon in Britain. Napoleon was a famous French military leader and emperor. This collection includes many interesting objects from his time.

The Dalmeny Estate

Beautiful Scenery

Dalmeny House is surrounded by a large park with many trees. From the estate, you can enjoy wonderful views across the Firth of Forth. It's a beautiful place to explore.

Public Paths and Farms

There is a public path that runs along the coastline. You can walk from Queensferry in the west to Cramond in the east. The estate also has traditional farms that are rented out to farmers.

Visiting Dalmeny House

Dalmeny House is open to the public for special guided tours. This means you can explore some of the historic rooms with a guide. Some of the rooms can also be rented for special events like parties or meetings.

Dalmeny House on Screen

Dalmeny House has even been a star in a movie! In 2021, the house was used as a filming location for a movie called A Castle for Christmas. It played the part of a fictional castle called 'Dun Dunbar'.