Key facts
- Operator
- Hotel (Dalhousie Castle Hotel & Spa)
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Hotel guests only
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
Pinpoint
A 13th-century castle south of Edinburgh, now a hotel with falconry on the grounds and a dungeon that's been pressed into service for private dining and events. Reviews split sharply between guests who call the staff and service exceptional and at least one wedding party who had a booking badly mishandled - worth going in with realistic expectations around event planning specifically.
Worth the trip
The falconry on the grounds - a genuine extra rather than a gimmick, and one of the few UK castle hotels offering it as part of the stay.
Before you go
Non-residents can dine here even without staying over; if you're planning an event (the dungeon is bookable), confirm details in writing and follow up closer to the date, as at least one wedding party had a late change to their booking.
Most reviewers describe an excellent stay at Dalhousie Castle, with particular praise for attentive, go-the-extra-mile staff, the breakfast, and experiences like falconry. However, two recent reviews flag real problems tied to ongoing renovations - rooms and restaurant bookings changed or closed with little advance warning, leaving guests to sort things out on arrival. One reviewer's vow renewal booking went badly wrong due to poor communication, while another had a rocky start that was ultimately salvaged by a manager's intervention. Worth checking directly on the current state of the renovations before booking.
13th-century castle; falconry; non-residents can dine
“We truly had the most magical experience at Dalhousie castle. We couldn’t have asked for more. The grounds were newly renovated and stunning, all the staff were more than friendly and very attentive and we felt like…”— Laurafoundever, visitor review
