History

Dalkeith Palace / Dalkeith House

Parts of Dalkeith Palace date back to a 12^th Century castle. Anne of Buccleuch, the first Duchess of Buccleuch, commissioned James Smith, Scotland’s leading architect at the time, to build the house in it’s present form during the period of 1701-1711. The George IV addition was built prior to George IV’s Stay at Dalkeith Palace on his first visit to Scotland in 1832.  He used the Music Room to receive Scottish Noblemen and dignitaries. The House was last used as the Buccleuch Family Residence prior to WWI and during WWII, it was used to billet soldiers of the Polish Free Army.  In 1970, it was let to International Computers Ltd.  Since 1986, it has been let to the University of Wisconsin for a study abroad programme. Unfortunately the Palace is not open to the Public.

Adventure Playground and Nature Trails

The formation of Buccleuch Recreational Enterprises in 1976 resulted in the construction of the adventure Playground and layout of Nature Trails within Dalkeith Park.  About 35,000 Visitors make use of these facilities each year.

Dalkeith Stables

These Building were designed by William Adam in 1740, with additions by William Burn in 1840.  From 1932 – 1989, the property was let to the Greyhound Racing Association for kennelling their dogs, which were exercised in the park and raced at Powderhall Stadium in Edinburgh.  In 1995, the Estate undertook a major refurbishment to convert the building into a tea room & shop and offices for the Ranger and Staff.

Conservatory / Orangerie

The Conservatory was built in 1832 to the design of Wiliam Burn to form a 12 sided glasshouse with oak framed sash windows flanked by Roman Doric columns on a stepped base.  The central chimney provided the support for the elaborate geometric cast iron roof girders.  The heating system consisted of two hot water boilers together with furnaces located in the vaulted cellar below.  The Conservatory housed orange trees and dates, which gave it the name of Orangerie.

Laundry House

The Laundry House was built in the early 1800’s to serve the Palace and later it was divided into 2 dwelling houses.  In 1993, the Estate converted the building into two offices, which are let to SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage) and the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust.

Ice House

The ice house, built in the late 18^th century. It was built to store ice and keep foods refrigerated for the Palace.  The house has a circumference of 15m (50ft) and a depth of 10m (33ft).  There are four doors in the passage, which was an efficient airlock, protecting the ice against warm, summer air.  The ice was firstly taken from the ponds on the Estate, but by the 1820’s it was imported from America, and collected by cart from Edinburgh Docks (Leith).  When the Pit was full, all the internal doors would be shut and the food corridors filled with food.  It would stay in this state for almost a year before needing re-filled.  The ice house is located on the top slope of the North Esk River.

Montagu Bridge

This impressive bridge was built in 1792, by one of Scotland’s most respected architects, Robert Adam. Originally, it displayed 3 life-size sculptures of stags, but these were removed as they frightened passing horses.   The bridge span is 70ft and gives an outstanding view of Dalkeith Palace, and the River Esk (North).

Dalkeith Park Old Wood

Most of these veteran Oak tree’s date from between 1580 and 1617, some of them may have been planted as early as the fourteenth century, formerly a deer park. They display huge multi-stemmed trunks, indicating that they have been coppiced early in their lives.  The largest base reaches almost 10 m (33ft) in girth.  This collection of Oak’s presents a rare landscape feature, a habitat of natural importance, and home to an endangered beetle, unique to Dalkeith Old Wood.