Dalkeith House

I had never been to Dalkeith House before although it's only about eight miles from my home. I thought the house was stunning. It's situated within Dalkeith Country Park where we were walking today and is owned by the Duke of Buccleuch who is the largest landowner in Scotland. It was built on to an earlier castle by the architect James Smith in 1710. The park is known for its ancient oaks and it lies between the Rivers North and South Esk just outside Edinburgh City boundaries. It has a fine Adam Bridge, a remarkable Orangerie and 18th Century stables, all of which we saw. You can't visit the house as it is currently let to Wisconsin University for a foreign experience programme.