Dalhousie Castle Hotel is located near Edinburgh, Scotland and dates back to 13th century. It has bore witness to a host of history, from royalty to battles and much more. The hotel still in operation today and is Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle.
The castle was originally called Dalwolsey. The land around
the castle is believed to have been owned by Simunus de Ramesia. William Ramsay
witnessed deeds regarding land in 1280. He was the first known Ramsay de
Dalwolsey. His name is on Ragman’s Roll of 1296, showing that he paid homage for
the land to Edward I of England. Edward I even spent a night at Dalhousie
Castle before going to Falkirk.
While the castle dates back to the 1200s, the castle as it appears today took its form around 1450. The red stone used to construct the building was quarried just across the South Esk River. The original moat is still there, and visitors can see holes from the moat’s mechanisms as well as those caused by “surprises” being dropped on invaders.
The castle was transformed into a hotel in 1972. It is seen
as a symbol of Scottish hospitality, especially after all the land and building
has witnessed throughout history. The wine cellar, referred to as the “bottle
dungeon,” was once where prisoners were lowered by rope. The markings left by
these ropes can still be seen today.
The hotel is home to a few resident ghosts. Lady Catherine,
who once owned the castle, tragically fell to death from the hotel’s tower.
Today, she continues to roam the halls in her white gown.
It is also said that Sir Alexander Ramsay continues to haunt
the hotels. Like Lady Catherine, he is a previous owner of castle. He was imprisoned
within castle’s hidden room and starved to death. People have reported faint
cries and moans that are attributed to his ghost.
The castle has transformed over the years and has switched
owners quite a few times, but it has stood the test of time and history. The
ghosts are a reminder of the castle’s past as the hotel remains open for
business.
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