Dalmeny House, a Tudor Gothic house and home of the Earl of Rosebery, rejoices in one of the most beautiful and unspoiled settings in Great Britain. Dalmeny House has been the home of the Rosebery family for over three hundred years and its delightful elegance is a natural choice for an exclusive private tour that includes refreshments in the beautifully furnished Library. At Dalmeny there is definitely a feeling of grandeur, but it is coupled with a genuinely warm and welcoming Scottish ambience.
It's a picturesque journey along a quiet country road that leads away from Leith, to Dalmeny House. As you turn into the Estate's drive-way, you'll be enchanted by the extensive views that stretch out over peaceful woodland and lush green pastures. The rolling parkland and farmland stretch all the way down to the sandy beaches of the Firth of Forth.
The marriage of the 5th Earl to Hannah, the daughter of Baron Meyer de Rothschild, resulted in major sections of the Rothschild Collection of art and furniture coming to Dalmeny to join the existing Rosebery Collection. The result is an important collection of 18th century French furniture, Goya tapestries, porcelain, paintings and other objects d`Art, including a collection of Burn's memorabilia. The paintings include portraits by Gainsborough, Raeburn, Reynolds and Lawrence, which are displayed in the elegant Dining Room. The contents of the Drawing Room illustrate the changes in style over 100 years from the baroque splendor of the reign of Louis XIV, through the Rococco exuberance of Louis XV's reign, to the severe Neo-Classical grandeur of Louis XVI`s reign, ended by the French Revolution in 1789.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted in the entrance hall, with its stunning hammer-bean ceiling. The porcelain in the hall is mostly Chinese and of particular interest is the large, 16th century Ming vase on one of the Chinese chests. The very rare set of tapestries was designed by Goya for Spanish Royal Palaces and woven in 1800. They are the only ones outside Spanish territory, apart from a set owned by Her Majesty the Queen.
Your private tour of Dalmeny House includes Scotland's best collection of eighteenth-century French furniture, porcelain and tapestries, together with the home's magnificent paintings. Passing along the Gothic corridor, which runs the length of the house, you can see the three bays are lit by pairs of 16th century Flemish stained glassed windows. The corridor itself is furnished with Scottish 16th and 17th century furniture and hung with portraits that are mainly from the same period. Your tour will also show you the highly interesting Napoleon Room. The 5th Earl, a politician and historian, was fascinated by the life and career of Napoleon Bonaparte. The room contains probably the best collection of Napoleona in Britain, including paintings of the emperor, furniture used by him, and other trophies, such as the Duke of Wellington's campaign chair.
Before leaving Dalmeny House and returning to Leith, you will be treated to tea/coffee and home-baked shortbread, served in the elegant paneled Library. As you enjoy your refreshment, you'll be able to take in sweeping views across green parkland to the River Forth.
Please note: This tour includes approximately 1 hour of walking. Areas of Dalmeny House are not wheelchair accessible and therefore;, the tour is not considered suitable for wheelchair guests. Guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Weather appropriate clothing and flat, comfortable walking shoes are suggested. Guests should be prepared for the possibility of rain.