Melville Castle - The Castle

Melville Castle is a three-story Gothic castellated mansion situated less than a mile (2 km) west-south-west of Dalkeith, Midlothian, near the North Esk.

An earlier tower house on the site was demolished when the present structure, designed in 1786-91 by James Playfair for Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, was built.

The original tower house was owned by the Melville family, before passing to Sir John Ross in the 14th century. It subsequently changed hands with the attached lands several times and was sold to David Rennie in 1705. It then passed via the marriage of his daughter to Henry Dundas.

The building was empty by the 1980s, but has recently been restored, and is now a hotel. It contains very splendid interiors.

Melville Castle - The Song

A very old, traditional Scots song features Melville Castle. It describes a gentleman soldier going to Melville Castle, to bid his lady friends farewell before heading off to battle...

WILLIE’S GAN TAE MELVILLE CASTLE

Chorus:
Willie’s gan tae Melville Castle, boots and spurs and a’
Tae bid the ladies a’ fareweel, afore he gaed awa’
Oh Willie’s young and blithe and bonnie lo’ed by ain and a’
And what will all the lassies do when Willie gaes awa’

Well the first he met was lady Gate, she led him thro’ the hall
And wi’ a sad and sorry heart she let the tear doon fall
Beside the fire stood lady Grace, siad ne’er a word at all
She thought that she sure was of him before he gaed awa’

Chorus:
Willie’s gan tae Melville Castle, boots and spurs and a’
Tae bid the ladies a’ fareweel, afore he gaed awa’
Oh Willie’s young and blithe and bonnie lo’ed by ain and a’
And what will all the lassies do when Willie gaes awa’

Well ben the hoose came lady Bell, guid sakes ye needna cra’
Maybe the lad will fancy me and disappoint ye a’
Then doon the stair came Lady Jean, the flower among them a’
Saying lassies trust in providence, and ye’ll get husband’s a’

Chorus:
Willie’s gan tae Melville Castle, boots and spurs and a’
Tae bid the ladies a’ fareweel, afore he gaed awa’
Oh Willie’s young and blithe and bonnie lo’ed by ain and a’
And what will all the lassies do when Willie gaes awa’

When on his horse he raid awa’ they gaithered at the door
And when he raised his bonnet blue they set up sic a roar
Their sighs and tears brought Willie back, he’s kissed them ain and a’
Saying lassies bide till I come hame and then I’ll wed ye a’

Chorus:
Willie’s gan tae Melville Castle, boots and spurs and a’
Tae bid the ladies a’ fareweel, afore he gaed awa’
Oh Willie’s young and blithe and bonnie lo’ed by ain and a’
And what will all the lassies do when Willie gaes awa’