| Location | South Queensferry, County of Edinburgh, Scotland (Google Maps) |
| Open for Visitors | Yes |
| Owned by | Sir Jack Stewart-Clark |
| Official Website | Dundas Castle |
| Rooms Available | Yes (Stay, Weddings, Events, Filming) |
Located on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Dundas Castle is one of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic castles. It is also available for exclusive use and ranked as one of Britain’s top 5 Star Exclusive Use venues. Dundas Castle Wedding offers the best facilities and fulfils all the dreams of a fairytale wedding.
History
From the 12th Century onwards, the Dundas family came to live in and acquired increasingly large land areas along the southern shores of the River Forth. The Dundas family held the lands from 1124 until 1846, and they built the castle in 1424. By the 15th Century, the more significant part of Linlithgowshire, now equivalent to West Lothian and the western part of Edinburgh, was owned and controlled by Dundas of that Ilk. Dundas Castle was besieged in 1449. Charles II and Cromwell visited the castle in 1651.
The imposing baronial Gothic mansion, designed by William Burn, was built in 1818. The ‘modern’ castle replaced an earlier 17th Century building which was demolished. The Dundas family lost the castle and estate in 1846. Dundas Castle was later sold to the Stewarts in 1875 and is now held by the Stewart-Clarks. It was only when Sir Jack Stewart-Clark inherited Dundas Castle after the death of his mother in 1995 that serious restoration of both the Auld Keep and the castle began.
Architecture
William Burn was one of Scotland’s most significant architects who designed the magnificent house. He was famous for building churches, and this influence can be seen in the main hall, passageway, and staircase. In contrast to later Victorian buildings in Scotland, the main staterooms have beautiful proportions, and the genius Burn provided for the vast dimensions of the windows. These details provide an unparalleled outlook of the spreading lawns and parklands outside.
Dundas Castle is a massive 15th-century tower with four stories and a flat roof. It is now in the form of an L-plan with the addition of a later wing. The entrance, in the re-entrant angle, still has an iron yett. The basement is vaulted and has a stair in one corner leading to the first-floor hall. The castle has been dramatically altered inside with brick partition walls.
Further work has been carried out on The Stables and the installation of a new roof. It provided the opportunity to create two new charming en suite bedrooms in a previously unused space. This takes the total number of bedrooms at Dundas Castle to 17. The castle is now available for exclusive use and is ranked among Britain’s top 5 Star Exclusive Use venues. The Dundas Castle Boathouse is a charming self-catering cottage situated on the bank of the loch giving the picturesque views of the Dundas Castle and estate.
Movie Features
The Little Vampire (2000)– Dundas Castle is featured in the Comedy-Family film about a lonely American boy living in Scotland who makes a new best friend, a fellow nine-year-old who turns out to be a vampire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Dundas Castle?
Dundas Castle is situated near South Queensferry and takes approximately half an hour by car west of the centre of Edinburgh. It is just south of the Queensferry Crossing. The entry for guests is through the main gates of the estate leading from the B800, which runs between South Queensferry and Kirkliston.
Who owns Dundas Castle?
Dundas Castle is presently owned by Sir Jack Stewart-Clark and has been held by the Stewart-Clark family since 1875.
Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
Also, don’t forget to mention your name and social media profile link if you want the credits!
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Debayan Dey
He is a versatile E-Learning Support Officer and former Academic Officer at the University of York, United Kingdom. Not just an expert in education and technology, Debayan also has a deep love for castles and mountains. With a passion for travel, having explored 168+ cities worldwide, and a keen eye for photography, He brings a unique blend of experiences to the table. Specializing in E-learning content, IT support, AR development, and software engineering, Debayan has made a significant impact, educating over 200,000 students on Udemy.
