Melville Castle, Gothic mansion in Lasswade, Scotland
Melville Castle is a mansion near Lasswade in Scotland built across three floors with turrets and battlements. The building sits within a wooded estate through which the North Esk flows.
A tower stood here from 1155 until architect James Playfair designed the present building between 1786 and 1791 for the Dundas family. The family lived here across several generations and shaped the region politically and economically.
The name comes from a Norman knight whose family lived here during medieval times. Today wedding parties often gather in the large dining hall overlooking the river.
The estate sits roughly 30 minutes by car south of Edinburgh and now functions as a hotel with a restaurant. The surrounding woodland offers walking paths that lead down to the river.
During work in the 1990s, foundations of the medieval castle and old stone steps appeared beneath the main hall. These remains show how the site was already built upon centuries ago.
Location: Midlothian
Location: Lasswade
Architects: James Playfair
GPS coordinates: 55.89100,-3.10432
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28
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