Things to do in Midlothian

Rosslyn Chapel near Roslin in Midlothian is one of the most elaborately decorated medieval buildings in Scotland, a small fifteenth-century collegiate church whose extraordinary carved stonework covering virtually every internal surface with biblical scenes, foliage, figures and symbolic motifs has fascinated scholars, occultists and ordinary visitors for centuries. The chapel was built by William Sinclair, first Earl of Orkney, between 1446 and 1484, and the density and quality of its carved decoration, far exceeding anything else produced in Scotland in this period, reflects both the exceptional wealth of the Sinclair family and an ambition in stone carving that remains difficult to fully explain. The chapel achieved worldwide celebrity with the publication of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code in 2003 and the subsequent film, both of which featured the chapel as the hiding place of the Holy Grail and wove an elaborate conspiracy narrative around its unusual decorative programme. The resulting surge of visitor interest transformed the chapel from a moderately visited Scottish heritage site into an internationally famous destination, bringing visitors from across the world who may or may not accept the novel's fictional framing but who find the chapel's extraordinary carved interior compelling for its genuine historical and artistic qualities. The Apprentice Pillar, the most celebrated of the chapel's carved columns, is a pillar of extraordinary ornamental complexity whose spiral bands of intertwining foliage rise from its base to an elaborately carved capital. The legend attached to it, in which the master mason killed his apprentice in a rage of jealousy upon returning from Rome to find the pillar completed to a standard he could not have achieved himself, is a Victorian invention but captures something of the genuine wonder that the column produces in observers. The surrounding Roslin Glen provides pleasant walking and the ruined Roslin Castle adds further medieval interest to the area.

Borthwick Castle is located to the east of the village of Borthwick, about 12 miles south-east of Edinburgh. The castle sits on a small hill and is protected on three sides by steep slopes. Borthwick Castle was built in 1430 for Sir William Borthwick. The castle is a double tower and in good condition, and none of the original narrow windows have been changed. The battlements are supported by projecting corbels with corner roundels, but have lost their stepped crenellations. The tower has two doorways. One doorway at ground-level leads into the partly underground kitchen and storage-vaults. The other doorway is directly above it at first-floor level, and leads into the stone-vaulted great hall. The castle is accessed via a reconstructed stone bridge. Borthwick Castle was built on the site of an earlier structure in the 15th century. The castle is the seat of the Borthwick family ancestral seat. Sir William Borthwick built the castle in 1430. The castle was originally a stone enclosure fortress centred on a tall tower house with walls up to 14 feet thick. The tower is U-shaped with a 12 foot gap between the towers. There was a surrounding defensive courtyard with round towers at the corners. The tower house is in mainly original condition but the surrounding wall and towers have been restored. Borthwick Castle was visited twice by Mary I of Scotland, in 1563 and again in 1567 when she was besieged inside - she escaped the siege by disguising herself as a page. In 1650 the Castle was attacked by Oliver Cromwell's forces, and was surrendered after only a few cannon shots. Cannon damage from this attack can still be seen on one of the walls. When Cromwell's forces left the castle, it lay abandoned for many years before being restored by 1914. During World War II the castle was used to store national treasures. In 1973 it was leased from the Borthwick family and converted into a hotel. Some of the guest rooms have four poster beds. The Great Hall is used as a dining room and caters for banquets for up to 75 guests, as well as smaller parties and couples. The castle can be hired as a wedding venue for 2 to 75 people. Wedding ceremony (religious or civil) and reception can take place in the castle.

Crichton Castle is a ruined castle situated at the head of the River Tyne, near the village of Crichton in Midlothian. Crichton has four main buildings arranged around an inner courtyard. There is a 14th century tower at the east of the castle with a vaulted basement, and a vaulted hall above. The south-west corner of the tower has collapsed. A second tower was built in the early 15th century forming an L-plan, with a gate between the two towers. The south tower has vaulted cellars on either side of the entrance. Two halls occupied the first and second floors. In the later 15th century a west block was added, with a six-storey tower at the south-west, containing several bedrooms. Crichton Castle was built in the late 14th century by John de Crichton as a tower house family residence. The castle was stormed and damaged in 1445 in response to Crichton's role in organizing the "Black Dinner" where the Earl of Douglas was murdered. Crichton was rebuilt and extended. In 1488, James IV granted Crichton to Patrick Hepburn, Lord Hailes. The fourth Earl, James Hepburn was, in February 1567, implicated in the murder of Queen Mary's husband Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, and became Mary's third husband in May of that year. In 1956, the castle was given into state care by its owner, Major Henry Callander of Prestonhall. It is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument administered by Historic Scotland. The Arts Crichton Castle was used as a location in the 1995 film Rob Roy Legends To the south of the castle is a building that is said to be haunted by the ghost of William Crichton.

Dalhousie Castle is situated near Bonnyrigg, 8 miles south of Edinburgh. The castle was the seat of the Earls of Dalhousie, the chieftains of Clan Ramsay. The castle was purchased by the Von Essen Hotels company in 2003 . Dalhousie Castle is now a luxury hotel with hydrotherapy spa, luxury bedrooms and a formal fine dining restaurant. The castle dates to the mid 13th century when the first castle was built by the Ramsey family. The oldest parts still standing date to 15th century, and the majority of the current castle dates to the 17th century. King Edward I stayed at the castle on his way to meet Sir William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk. In 1400, Sir Alexander Ramsay withstood a six month siege at Dalhousie by English forces led by King Henry IV. The Ramsay family retained ownership of the castle until 1977. The castle was leased out to a series of tenants including a boarding school. In 1972, the castle was converted into a hotel. The castle was damaged by fire in 2004 but no major structural damage occurred.

Dalkeith Palace, located in Midlothian, Scotland, has a rich history dating back to the 12th century, evolving from a medieval castle to a grand classical house completed in 1711. Origins and Early History Dalkeith Palace was originally built on the site of a medieval castle that dates back to the 12th century, associated with the Clan Graham. The castle was strategically located above a bend in the River North Esk, providing a defensible position. In the 14th century, the castle passed to the Clan Douglas through marriage, becoming a significant stronghold in the region. Notably, James Douglas, the 1st Lord Dalkeith, was a prominent figure in the area, and the castle was often visited by royalty, including Margaret Tudor in 1503 and Cardinal Beaton in 1543. Construction of the Palace The current Dalkeith Palace was commissioned by Anna Scott, the 1st Duchess of Buccleuch, and designed by architect James Smith. Construction began in 1702 and was completed in 1711. The palace is regarded as one of the grandest early classical houses in Scotland, modeled after the Het Loo Palace in the Netherlands. The design incorporated elements of the earlier castle, with some of its walls still visible in the new structure. Architectural Significance Dalkeith Palace is celebrated for its architectural grandeur, featuring extensive use of marble and intricate engravings by Grinling Gibbons. The palace underwent various renovations and expansions over the years, including the addition of the Montagu Bridge designed by Robert Adam in the 18th century. Despite plans for further modifications in the 1820s, many of these were never realized, preserving much of the original design. Later History and Current Use The Buccleuch family resided in Dalkeith Palace until 1914, after which it was repurposed for various uses, including as a research office and a study abroad program for the University of Wisconsin. The palace has not been lived in by the Buccleuch family since then, and its gardens were let as market gardens in the 1920s. As of now, Dalkeith Palace is part of the Dalkeith Country Park, which is undergoing redevelopment to enhance its historical and cultural significance. Conclusion Dalkeith Palace stands as a testament to Scotland's rich history, reflecting the architectural styles and social dynamics of its time. Its evolution from a medieval stronghold to a classical palace illustrates the changing landscape of Scottish nobility and heritage. Today, it remains a site of interest for visitors exploring Scotland's historical narrative.

Newbattle Abbey near Dalkeith in Midlothian is a historic abbey building that has served as Scotland's residential college for adult education since 1937, making it one of the most distinctive educational institutions in Scotland and a continuing living use for a building of considerable historical significance. The abbey was founded by King David I as a Cistercian monastery in 1140 and was one of the most important monasteries in medieval Scotland. The buildings were substantially rebuilt in the seventeenth century after the Reformation destroyed much of the medieval fabric. Notable alumni of Newbattle Abbey College include Hugh MacDiarmid, one of the most important Scottish poets of the twentieth century, and the college continues to provide life-changing educational opportunities for adults returning to learning in a unique and historic environment.