Stay 
Dalkeith Palace
approx. 2.5 km
A country house in Dalkeith, seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch from 1642 to 1914, built 1701–1711 on the site of the medieval Dalkeith Castle.
Photo: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 2.0
Melville Castle: a night in a Gothic castle near Edinburgh
Melville Castle, at Lasswade near Dalkeith, is a three-storey Gothic mansion designed by James Playfair in the 1780s for Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville. Restored and reopened as a hotel, it offers individually styled bedrooms in 54 acres of parkland and woodland, with a restaurant and bar, only about nine kilometres from the centre of Edinburgh.
At a glance
- Location
- Lasswade, near Dalkeith, Midlothian, about 9 km south-east of the centre of Edinburgh
- Accommodation
- Castle hotel in a 1780s Gothic castle mansion; individually styled bedrooms and suites (33 according to Wikipedia)
- Highlights
- Restaurant, bar/lounge, pool table, garden and parkland, ballroom and banquet hall, lift, wedding service, free Wi-Fi, free parking
- Guest rating
- 9.2/10 from 347 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in 3 pm to midnight (late check-in possible at certain times) · check-out by 11 am
- Good to know
- Dogs allowed (nightly fee per pet) · lift · non-smoking property · full breakfast at extra cost · Green Tourism certified
Staying at Melville Castle: a night in a Gothic castle near Edinburgh
To stay at Melville Castle is to sleep in a castle-style mansion with towers and arched windows, set in its own grounds on the edge of Edinburgh’s countryside. According to Wikipedia, the hotel has 33 individually styled bedrooms and suites, and many retain period features such as four-poster beds, while others have been refurbished with modern comforts and views across the grounds.
Expedia describes it as an upscale castle and lists free Wi-Fi in all rooms, a private bathroom with bath or shower, a hair dryer, towels, free toiletries, a 26-inch flat-screen TV, a kettle, an iron and ironing board, and central heating. Rooms are cleaned daily, reception is staffed around the clock, and there is a lift. The property is certified by the Green Tourism programme.
The castle has a restaurant and a bar/lounge. A full breakfast is served daily for an extra charge (7.30–9.30 am on weekdays, 8–10 am at weekends), and a home-cooked dinner is offered on weekends at extra cost, by reservation. Guests can also use a pool table, and the ballroom, banquet hall and reception hall make the castle a venue for weddings and events.
Photos of Melville Castle
The history of Melville Castle
- 1155 – The site is first recorded, owned by Galfrid de Malle, Sheriff of Edinburgh and Governor of Edinburgh Castle.
- 1371 – The estate passes to Sir John Ross of Halkhead; the Ross family hold it for several generations.
- c. 1780 – The old tower house is demolished after the estate has come to Henry Dundas through his marriage to Elizabeth Rennie.
- 1786–1791 – James Playfair designs and builds the present castle for Henry Dundas, later 1st Viscount Melville.
- 1842 – Queen Victoria visits Melville Castle; Sir Walter Scott, a frequent visitor, mentions the estate in his poem “The Gray Brother”.
- After 1945 – The Dundas family leaves the castle, which is leased as an army rehabilitation centre and later as a hotel.
- 1980s – The hotel falls into disrepair and stands empty; the estate and its farms are sold.
- 1993–2003 – The Hay Trust buys the castle, restores it over eight years and reopens it as a hotel in June 2003.
- 2021 – The lease is taken over and the hotel reopens after extensive refurbishment.
Melville Castle is described by Wikipedia as a three-storey Gothic mansion, lying a little over two kilometres west-south-west of Dalkeith, near the North Esk. Its architect, James Playfair, built it between 1786 and 1791 for Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount Melville, whose family kept the estate until after the Second World War.
The Wikipedia article also reports that the grounds hold 54 acres of parkland and woodland, with mature trees and landscaped gardens, and that the building’s public rooms include a library bar and a reception area designed to reflect its historic character.
Facilities and services at Melville Castle
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); room details may vary from room to room.
Rooms
- Individually styled rooms
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Bed linen, towels and free toiletries
- Bath or shower, hair dryer
- 26-inch flat-screen TV with digital channels
- Kettle, iron and ironing board
- Central heating and daily housekeeping
Food & drink
- Restaurant
- Bar/lounge
- Full breakfast daily (extra charge)
- Home-cooked weekend dinner by reservation (extra charge)
Castle & grounds
- Garden and parkland
- Ballroom, banquet hall and reception hall
- Pool table
- Wedding service
- Lift
- Non-smoking property
Service
- Reception staffed around the clock
- Free parking without service (limited spaces)
- Printer and free local calls
- Wheelchair accessible, with possible restrictions
- Green Tourism certification
Where Melville Castle is: Lasswade, minutes from Edinburgh
The castle stands at Lasswade, by Dalkeith in Midlothian, on the south-eastern edge of the Edinburgh area. According to Expedia, Eskbank railway station is a 3-minute drive (24 minutes on foot), the Princes Street tram stop 14 minutes by car and Edinburgh Airport 23 minutes. Dalkeith Country Park lies right beside the property.
The centre of Edinburgh is about nine kilometres away, so Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur’s Seat can be visited easily from the hotel. Closer to hand are Dalkeith Palace and Rosslyn Chapel, and Expedia also lists Dalhousie Castle, the Butterfly and Insect World and the Melville Golf Centre among the nearby sights.
Anyone wanting to range further can add Linlithgow Palace, the Forth bridges or the East Lothian coast to a longer itinerary, with Melville Castle as a quiet base outside the city.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances (as the crow flies from Melville Castle)
| Lasswade (village) | approx. 1 km |
| Eskbank railway station | approx. 1.5 km |
| Dalkeith Palace | approx. 2.5 km |
| Dalhousie Castle | approx. 3.5 km |
| Rosslyn Chapel | approx. 5.5 km |
| Arthur’s Seat | approx. 7 km |
| Palace of Holyroodhouse | approx. 8 km |
| Edinburgh Castle | approx. 9 km |
| Edinburgh Airport | approx. 18 km |
Distances are calculated as the crow flies; driving and walking times are taken from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around Melville Castle
Rosslyn Chapel
approx. 5.5 km
A 15th-century collegiate chapel in Roslin, founded in 1456 by William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness, and known for its richly carved interior.
Photo: Sabine Perry, CC BY-SA 4.0
Arthur’s Seat
approx. 7 km
An ancient extinct volcano, the main peak of the hills that make up most of Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.
Photo: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0
Palace of Holyroodhouse
approx. 8 km
The official residence of the monarch in Scotland, at the foot of the Royal Mile, opposite Edinburgh Castle.
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
Edinburgh Castle
approx. 9 km
A historic castle on Castle Rock, a site occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age and a royal castle for centuries.
Photo: Stephencdickson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Linlithgow Palace
approx. 32 km
The ruins of a palace 24 km west of Edinburgh that was one of the principal residences of Scottish monarchs in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Photo: Alex Sanz, CC BY 2.0
Tours & activities near Melville Castle
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William
Take in the stunning Highland locations made famous by the Harry Potter and James Bond film series. Passing famous landmarks such as Linlithgow …
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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket
Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this …
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The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh
A chocolate experience to remember! Fully indoors and perfect come rain or sunshine! See and touch the fruit of the chocolate tree, and learn all …
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Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included
Make the most of your time in Edinburgh with our guided walking tour that combines a walk on the historic Royal Mile and a guided visit inside …
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Old Town Walking Tour History and Tales in Edinburgh
This walking tour is designed to give you a broad understanding of Edinburgh, it's history and culture. The tour runs for around two hours taking in …
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Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour Tickets Included
Join us on an unforgettable journey through millennia as we explore the iconic Edinburgh Castle on a walking tour that will bring Scotland's rich …
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The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience in Edinburgh
Step into a world where tradition meets innovation and embark on The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience - A Journey of Flavour at The Johnnie Walker …
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Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town Small Group Walking Tour
This tour is led by Edinburgh Guided Tour — a small team of exceptional Guides, including PHD Historians, a Professor, and a Museum Manager. Each …
View details ›Who is Melville Castle for?
Couples
A Gothic castle with four-poster beds, parkland to stroll in and a restaurant and bar make a romantic base close to Edinburgh.
City-breakers
Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood and the Old Town are around nine kilometres away, with the Princes Street tram stop a 14-minute drive from the castle.
Weddings and celebrations
Wikipedia describes the castle as a hotel and wedding venue, and Expedia lists a ballroom, banquet hall and reception hall.
Families and dog owners
Dogs are allowed for a nightly fee, and the parkland offers space to walk; rooms are accessed by lift.
Good to know before booking Melville Castle
- Check-in is from 3 pm to midnight, and late check-in is possible at certain times. Check-out is by 11 am.
- Dogs are allowed, with a nightly fee per pet; assistance animals are exempt from the fee.
- Free parking without service is available on site, with a limited number of spaces.
- A full breakfast is served daily for an extra charge: 7.30–9.30 am on weekdays and 8–10 am at weekends.
- The property has a lift and is listed as wheelchair accessible with possible restrictions; for special requirements, contact it via the booking confirmation.
- The castle is non-smoking.
Find available dates at Melville Castle
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Melville Castle?
Yes. Melville Castle operates as a hotel with individually styled bedrooms, a restaurant and a bar, and it can be booked through Expedia, which describes it as an upscale castle.
Are dogs allowed at Melville Castle?
Yes, according to Expedia dogs are allowed for a nightly fee per pet. Assistance animals are exempt from the fee.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 3 pm to midnight, and late check-in is possible at certain times. Check-out is by 11 am.
Is there parking at Melville Castle?
Yes, free parking without service is available on site, with a limited number of spaces.
How far is Melville Castle from Edinburgh?
The centre of Edinburgh is about nine kilometres away as the crow flies. Expedia gives 23 minutes by car to Edinburgh Airport and 14 minutes to the Princes Street tram stop.
Is breakfast available?
Yes, a full breakfast is served daily for an extra charge, from 7.30 to 9.30 am on weekdays and from 8 to 10 am at weekends.
Room photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Melville Castle listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a Gothic castle on the edge of Edinburgh? Check availability and current prices for Melville Castle on Expedia.
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