Dalkeith Castle
Parish: Dalkeith
County: Midlothian
Grid reference: NT 33325 67905
Lat / long: 55.8996281, -3.06682515
Alternative names: Dalkeith House, Dalkeith Palace
The earliest castle at Dalkeith was built in the 12th century, and was home at one point to Sir James Douglas (the Black Douglas). It was added to in the 15th century, forming an L-plan keep with a curtain wall,
Around 1585 it was greatly enlarged for a later James Douglas, the 4th Earl of Morton. In 1642 Dalkeith Castle was bought by Francis, the 2nd Earl of Buccleuch, and between 1702 and 1710 it was extensively remodelled for Anne, the Duchess of Buccleuch, with part of the existing castle demolished, and the rest incorporated into the new Dalkeith House. Now named Dalkeith House, it was designed by James Smith, and was later added to over the years by the celebrated Scottish architects John Adam, James Playfair and William Burn.
It is now a European study centre for the University of Wisconsin, and the centrepiece of the Dalkeith Country Estate.
