|
|
|
Dalkeith Estate is a 2500 acre estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Dalkeith has been in the Douglas and Scott family for almost 600 years. The land once belonged to the Douglases of Dalkeith, who became the Earls of Morton. Dalkeith Castle was their stronghold. The 8th Earl of Morton sold the Castle and Estate to Charles I and it was as a hunting ground for him that the grounds as we see them today were first enclosed. The Castle and grounds were resold to Morton and then sold again in 1642 to Francis Scott 2nd Earl of Buccleuch. His daughter Anne married the Duke of Monmouth, eldest natural son of Charles II, and they were created Duke and Duchess of Monmouth and Buccleuch. When Monmouth died hes widow, Anne, instructed James Smith to use William of Orange's palace in Holland as a model for the palace at Dalkeith. This he did in 1701 and it was described as "the grandest of all early classical houses in Scotland". During the 1850's the architects Bryce and Burn added the conservatory and church. The Laundry Cottages have recently been restored and are now occupied as offices by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust. The Estate has some very high quality arable land let to tenants and soem excellent examples of well managed broadleaved woodlands. Some of the ancient Caledonian Oak Forest can be seen in the Park between the rivers North and South Esk.
The Grounds have been opened to the public since 1975. Visitors are attracted to the beautiful walks and adventure play area. There is a full-time Ranger Service. The palace has not been lived in by the Buccleuch family since 1914 and is now a European study centre for the University of Wisconsin USA, accommodating some 80 students at a time.
|
|
 Home Page |