Dalhousie Castle
This 13th-century fortress eight miles south of Edinburgh sits in a wooded parkland along the banks of the Esk River. Amenities range from a medieval falconry to a very modern "aqueous spa." There are 29 guest rooms in the castle itself, decorated in Scottish design fabrics such as tweed, tartan and twill. Period furniture, rugs and carpets complete the luxury feeling. A separate lodge on the grounds provides another seven rooms in a secluded country-house atmosphere. Dining venues include the Dungeon Restaurant in the barrel-vaulted dungeons of the castle, where the rough-hewn stone work and the weapons and armor along the walls provide an appropriate setting for a cuisine featuring local produce such as salmon, venison, grouse and prime Scottish beef. The Orangery offers views of the Esk and a lighter, more contemporary menu.
Dalhousie Castle
Bonnyrigg
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH19 3JB
011 (+44) 1875 820 153
dalhousiecastle.co.uk
Melville Castle Hotel
Melville Castle Hotel, just 20 minutes from Edinburgh, offers an elegant 18th-century castle in a secluded 50-acre estate. The site has boasted a castle since the 12th century and was visited often by the ill-fated Queen Mary Stuart. Along with standard rooms, the hotel boasts two-tiered gallery rooms, with the sleeping quarters on the upper floor overlooking a living area below. There are also spacious suites with four-poster beds.
Melville Castle Hotel
Gilmerton Rd,
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH18 1AP
011 (+44) 1422 323 200 (Celtic Castles)
celticcastles.com/castles/melville-castle
Castle Venlaw Hotel
Castle Venlaw is located in Peebles, in the heart of the Scottish Borders region, 22 miles from Edinburgh. Built in 1742 on 12 acres of woodlands, it has served as a country boutique hotel since 1949. The 12 guest rooms are individually appointed and styled, with three four-poster rooms and a romantic suite. The Library Bar, set in one of the castle's turrets, features a log fire and a view over the grounds. The restaurant, "Le Cépage," changes its menu daily.
Castle Venlaw Hotel
Edinburgh Road
Peebles
Scottish Borders
EH45 8QG
011 (+44) 1721 720 384
venlaw.co.uk
Article Written By Darrell Delamaide
Darrell Delamaide has written professionally for over three decades, having held staff positions with Dow Jones, International Herald Tribune, Institutional Investor, Bloomberg and AOL. He currently writes for publications including "MarketWatch," "Institutional Investor," "EnergyBiz" and "DSNews." A former Fulbright Scholar, Delamaide holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy from St. Louis University.
