Dalhousie Castle.
Dalhousie Castle.
Construction on Dalhousie Castle began in 1140 and has served as the seat of the Earls of Dalhousie, the chieftains of Clan Ramsay.
The oldest remaining part of the original construction was built in the 13th century and this includes the vaults.
The castle as we see it today including the Drum Tower was built in the 15th century.
Access to the castle was gained by the drawbridge which spanned the moat. The moat has since disappeared when the castle was sold and became a hotel in the 1970’s however parts of the original moat are still visible.
Dalhousie Castle has over the centuries hosted many historical figures including King Edward (known as Edward the Longshanks) he was given the name Longshanks due to his height as he was 6ft.2 inches tall and at that time the average height was just 5ft 5 inches.
Longshanks stayed at the castle in 1298 before his army faced off against William Wallace at the battle of Falkirk on 22nd July 1298.
Edward took with him to Dalhousie a ‘throne’ which is still in the castle where it has remained for 750 years and is on display.
Under the reign of Henry 1V in 1400 the castle was placed under siege for a period of less than 6 months.
Sir Alexander Ramsay bravely fought of the attackers but unfortunately he was abducted and taken to Hermitage Castle where he was starved to death.
In 1648 Oliver Cromwell besieged the castle and used it as a base to springboard his invasion of Scotland.
Other guests be they invited or otherwise included Mary, Queen of Scots who on 30th June 1563 spent a night in the castle as she travelled to Rosslyn Castle.
In 1808 Sir Walter Scott the Scottish writer, historian and politician enjoyed the hospitality offered to him by his school friend George, the 9th Earl of Ramsay.
The castle also hosted Queen Victoria on numerous occasions when she visited Scotland.
In the 20th century the seat of Clan Ramsay moved to Brechin Castle.
Is the castle haunted?
Several ghosts are said to haunt Dalhousie Castle, but the most frequently seen ghost of the castle is The Grey Lady.
The Grey Lady is assumed to be the ghost of Lady Catherine, the 16-year-old mistress of one of the Ramsay lairds.
When his wife found out about the affair, she imprisoned the young girl in one of the turrets and left her to starve.
The poor girl now haunts the turrets, the stairs, the main corridor and the dungeons.
She’s a very active ghost who likes to make herself present. She is the reason why ghost tours are now regular at the castle.
Her rustling dress has been heard, she taps on doors and shoulders and is sometimes even seen sitting at the end of a bed.
Oh, and she hates bagpipe music.
When she’s near, bagpipes tend to play out of tune.
Perhaps one of the most commonly asked question about the Ramsay’s is Gordon Ramsay a member of the House of Dalhousie.
I have met Gordon and spoken to him and the answer is yes he is most definitely related.
Dalhousie Castle.
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dalhousie Castle.
Dalhousie Castle.
Construction on Dalhousie Castle began in 1140 and has served as the seat of the Earls of Dalhousie, the chieftains of Clan Ramsay.
The oldest remaining part of the original construction was built in the 13th century and this includes the vaults.
The castle as we see it today including the Drum Tower was built in the 15th century.
Access to the castle was gained by the drawbridge which spanned the moat. The moat has since disappeared when the castle was sold and became a hotel in the 1970’s however parts of the original moat are still visible.
Dalhousie Castle has over the centuries hosted many historical figures including King Edward (known as Edward the Longshanks) he was given the name Longshanks due to his height as he was 6ft.2 inches tall and at that time the average height was just 5ft 5 inches.
Longshanks stayed at the castle in 1298 before his army faced off against William Wallace at the battle of Falkirk on 22nd July 1298.
Edward took with him to Dalhousie a ‘throne’ which is still in the castle where it has remained for 750 years and is on display.
Under the reign of Henry 1V in 1400 the castle was placed under siege for a period of less than 6 months.
Sir Alexander Ramsay bravely fought of the attackers but unfortunately he was abducted and taken to Hermitage Castle where he was starved to death.
In 1648 Oliver Cromwell besieged the castle and used it as a base to springboard his invasion of Scotland.
Other guests be they invited or otherwise included Mary, Queen of Scots who on 30th June 1563 spent a night in the castle as she travelled to Rosslyn Castle.
In 1808 Sir Walter Scott the Scottish writer, historian and politician enjoyed the hospitality offered to him by his school friend George, the 9th Earl of Ramsay.
The castle also hosted Queen Victoria on numerous occasions when she visited Scotland.
In the 20th century the seat of Clan Ramsay moved to Brechin Castle.
Is the castle haunted?
Several ghosts are said to haunt Dalhousie Castle, but the most frequently seen ghost of the castle is The Grey Lady.
The Grey Lady is assumed to be the ghost of Lady Catherine, the 16-year-old mistress of one of the Ramsay lairds.
When his wife found out about the affair, she imprisoned the young girl in one of the turrets and left her to starve.
The poor girl now haunts the turrets, the stairs, the main corridor and the dungeons.
She’s a very active ghost who likes to make herself present. She is the reason why ghost tours are now regular at the castle.
Her rustling dress has been heard, she taps on doors and shoulders and is sometimes even seen sitting at the end of a bed.
Oh, and she hates bagpipe music.
When she’s near, bagpipes tend to play out of tune.
Perhaps one of the most commonly asked question about the Ramsay’s is Gordon Ramsay a member of the House of Dalhousie.
I have met Gordon and spoken to him and the answer is yes he is most definitely related.
Dalhousie Castle.
Edinburgh, Scotland.