Earlier Houses: Near the current house once stood the Medieval Dalkeith Castle. It was here that Margaret Tudor, daughter of Henry VII of England and bride of James IV of Scotland, stayed as the guest of the 2nd Earl of Morton before her formal entry to Edinburgh in 1503.

Built / Designed For: Anne Scott, 1st Duchess of Monmouth and Buccleuch

House & Family History: Built for Anne, widow of Charles II's illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, Dalkeith Palace was modeled on Het Loo Palace in the Netherlands (see "Images" section). The Dutch Baroque style Het Loo was designed by Jacob Roman and Johan van Swieten and built between 1684 and 1686 for William of Orange (later William III of England). Dalkeith Palace has had a number of of royal visitors, beginning with Bonnie Prince Charlie, who spent two nights here in 1745, as part of the tragedy that led to the Battle of Culloden. George IV was a guest at the palace during his famous 1822 visit to Scotland; Queen Victoria followed him in 1842. Both Edward VII and his son, George V, visited Dalkeith the early 20th century. During World War II Polish troops lived on the palace’s third floor. By the 1970s International Computers Ltd. had taken a lease on Dalkeith Palace, which they used as research and development center until 1983. In 1985 the University of Wisconsin took a long lease on the palace, which they used as their study abroad campus until 2021.

Collections: The majority of the collection once housed at Dalkeith Palace is today at Bowhill House.

Garden & Outbuildings: William Adam created the stables, coach houses, a gardener's cottage, and the bridge over South Esk for the 2nd Duke of Buccleuch between 1741 and 1742. Robert Adam designed the Montagu Bridge over River Esk for the 3rd Duke of Buccleuch in 1792. The ruins of the 19th century conservatory can be seen in the park.

Vitruvius Scoticus: Adam, W., pls. 22-24, 1810.

John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. IV, 1828. Scotland, 1830.

Country Life: XXX, 510 plan. 1911. XXXI, 178 [Furniture], 214 [Furniture], 1912.

House Listed: Category A

Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER CASTLE: John de Graham, 14th century. Sir William Douglas, 14th century; James Douglas, 1st Earl of Morton, until 1493; John Douglas, 2nd Earl of Morton, 1493-1513; James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton, 1513-48; James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, 1550-81; Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Morton, until 1588; William Douglas, 6th Earl of Morton, 1588-1606; William Douglas, 7th Earl of Morton, 1606-42. Francis Scott, 2nd Earl of Buccleuch, 1642-51. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Anne Scott, 1st Duchess of Buccleuch, 1705-32; Francis Scott, 2nd Duke of Buccleuch, 1747-51; Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and 5th Duke of Queensberry, 1751-1812; Charles William Henry Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch and 6th Duke of Queensberry, 1812-19; Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry, 1819-84; William Henry Walter Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch and 8th Duke of Queensberry, 1884-1914.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

Ownership Details: Owned by Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust

House Open to Public: Grounds Only

Phone: 01316-541-666

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk

Historic Houses Member: No