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Melville Castle

Castle (Medieval), Country House (Period Unassigned), Hotel (Period Unassigned)

Site Name Melville Castle

Classification Castle (Medieval), Country House (Period Unassigned), Hotel (Period Unassigned)

Canmore ID 53513

Site Number NT36NW 78

NGR NT 31030 66981

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/53513

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Bluesky International Limited 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms

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Digital Images

Oblique aerial view from SE.
Oblique aerial view from SE.Interior.
View of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
View of stairwell from N, ground floor.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
View of entrance hall from W.Interior.
Detail of plinth and opening in basement.Oblique aerial view.Oblique aerial view.View from SE.Interior.
View of stairwell from W, ground floor.Interior.
View of staircase from below.Detail of ornamental drum at corner of pavilion.Interior.
Detail of floor timbers showing diagonal bracing.Interior.
Detail of plasterwork frieze in hall.Interior.
View of stairwell.View from SE.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking NW.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking WSW.Oblique aerial view.Melville Castle, NT36NW 78, Ordnance Survey index card, RectoView from SE.Interior.
View of first floor chapel.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
View of ground floor dining room from W.Interior.
Detail of plasterwork in hall.Interior.
Detail of plasterwork covered ceiling in hall.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking W.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking SW.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking S.Oblique aerial view.Melville Castle, NT36NW 78, Ordnance Survey index card, RectoInterior.
View of first floor chapel.Interior.
View of ground floor dining room from E.Interior.
View of staircase from below.Interior.
View of landing from N.Interior.
Detail of plasterwork in hall.Interior.
Detail of column capital.Interior.
Detail of balustrade.Interior.
Detail of floor timbers.Oblique aerial view from SE.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling roundel.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.View from S.Interior.
View of basement vault from S.Interior.
View of staircase from SW.Interior.
View of floor timber with diagonal bracing.Interior.
View of top landing from W.Interior.
Detail of plasterwork lions head frieze.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking NE.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking NNE.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
View of ground floor library from N.Interior.
View of ground floor drawing room from E.Oblique aerial view of Melville Castle, looking SSW.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
View of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
View of floor timber with diagonal bracing.Detail of heraldic panel over fronmt door.Oblique aerial view centred on the hotel and stables, taken from the S.Oblique aerial view.Interior.
View of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
Detail of stairwell ceiling.Interior.
View of top of staicase.Interior.
Detail of floor timbers.

Administrative Areas

  • Council Midlothian
  • Parish Lasswade
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District Midlothian
  • Former County Midlothian

Archaeology Notes

NT36NW 78.00 31030 66981

NT36NW 74 30922 66894 Coach-house and stables

NT36NW 78.01 30861 66670 Curling Pond

NT36NW 78.02 30608 67042 Walled Garden

NT36NW 78.03 31154 66530 South Gate-lodge

NT36NW 78.04 31812 67355 East Gate-lodge

NT36NW 78.05 30574 66920 Walled Garden, lodge

NT36NW 78.06 30499 67098 Garden farmhouse

NT36NW 78.07 30467 67086 Garden Cottages

NT36NW 78.08 30713 66792 Esk Cottage

NT36NW 78.09 31260 67180 Well Head

NT36NW 78.10 (3 6 unlocated by ACT) Ice-house

NT36NW 78.11 31451 67506 North Lodge

NT36NW 78.12 30724 66995 Steading

NT36NW 78.13 30539 66850 Willie's Temple

NT36NW 78.14 30705 66795 Sawmill

NT36NW 78.15 30696 66792 Sawmill Cottage

NT36NW 111 31251 67030 Iron Footbridge

NT36NW 246 30779 66729 Footbridge

Melville Castle, built 1786 by James Playfair for Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville, who had demolished its historic predecessor which stood on the same site. Now a hotel.

SDD List 1964

Architecture Notes

NMRS REFERENCE:

Architect: James Playfair completed 1791. Old castle demolished 1786, part of old house in one of the wings.

See 'Edinburgh Magazine' February 1800

Print and description (photocopy in box file missing at time of upgrade).

EXTERNAL REFERNCE:

Melville Castle Collection - Scottish Records Office

Scottish Records Office:

Photograph of the West aspect.

Included in a bundle of unidentified photographs, postcards and cuttings.

1934 GD 51/15/75

Alterations and repairs to Melville Castle and estate buildings.

Specifications and correspondence.

Architect: Frank Wood [20th c.]

1929-1934 GD 51/11/162

Reservoirs on the East and North side of Melville Castle.

Statement of length.

1841 GD 51/11/131

Activities

Photographic Survey (1954)

Photographs by the National Buildings Record Scottish Council in 1954.

References

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