King Tom

King Tom seemed unperturbed by the lashing rain and thunder as he gazed across the Forth towards Fife as he has done for very many years here outside Dalmeny House. Our plans to picnic on the shore near Barnbougle at Dalmeny were abandoned as we sheltered beneath trees while the torrential thunderstorm raged overhead for ages. Eventually, hoping that we wouldn't get struck by lightning, we made a dash for Dalmeny House where we enjoyed a guided tour seeing the exhibits inside, including several artifacts formerly belonging to Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon and the race horse enthusiast, the 5th Earl of Roseberry.

This bronze statue in front of the house is of "King Tom" who was one of the Earl's favourite horses and the foundation stallion of the famous Rothschild Mentmore stud which the Earl's wife inherited from her father. The Earl who became Prime Minister in 1894 had many race successes including 3 Derby winners and his son continued to have many winners too.