There is simply no venue quite like Barnbougle. A rugged castle that adorns a prime spot overlooking the Firth of Forth. It is awash with antiques and was refashioned by a British Prime Minister whose family still preside over its regal charms. Then there are the Robert Burns first editions and one of Scotland’s grandest dining rooms, where that British Prime Minister once practiced his speeches. All this is handily located on the bucolic waterfront fringes of Edinburgh.
A name shrouded in mystery and romance
The name itself is shrouded in mystery and romance. Written records call it everything from Barnbughall or Barbogle, right through to Pronbugele. It is largely thought to have come from ‘brinn bugel’, or ‘shepherd’s hill’, which is part of the wider Dalmeny Estate – itself spectacularly located on the banks of the Forth. Another version comes from the legend that when one of the Earls of Rosebery is about to pass away a man appears at nearby Hound Point with a bugle to sound his death knell.
The story of Barnbougle
The story of Barnbougle goes way back to the 13th century, when it was built as a fortified tower house – though it has been much modified over the following centuries. A lot of what you see today is the result of major revamp in 1881 by the 5th Earl of Rosebery, a luminary who served as Britain’s Prime Minister from 1894-1895. The Scots Baronial revamp came courtesy of James Maitland Wardrop, of Wardrop & Reid. Today this grand old treasure chest is a category A-listed building.
The three-storey castle had fallen into disrepair, before being brought back as an exclusive use venue. We were at only the second ever event to be held at Barnbougle Castle. On the evidence of our spectacular night there will be many, many more to come. I’d get in early if you want to book a celebratory gathering or corporate event, as this magnificent fortification will – as one of Scotland’s most striking and deeply historic exclusive use venues – be in high demand.
A stunning venue
Our evening kicked off on the ground floor with cocktails in the Scottish Library. As well as the grandeur of the room the tomes of history that adorn its bookcases, we appreciated the outdoor space. Space that would work very well as a break out area. A break out area with epic views towards the Forth Bridges to the west and back east towards Edinburgh. To the far east the Forth’s islands twinkle and the North Sea tempts.
Magnificent banqueting hall
The highlight for us was the grand 60 foot long Banqueting Hall where we savoured a superb seven-course dinner. One of its most startling features is the Minstrels’ Gallery, where the soon-to-be Prime Minister practised his formal speaking. The author John Buchan hailed him as “without doubt, the greatest living orator”. The current Lord Dalmeny followed in his illustrious footsteps with a warm, welcoming speech to declare this most unique of events firmly open.
The hall is awash with eye-catching features, from stained glass windows and epic period furniture through to Italian white alabaster carvings and a remarkable Victorian silver mantel clock. The devil is quite gloriously in the detail at Barnbougle. Then there are the portraits – we’ll let the family and staff fill you in on the engaging stories behind these when you visit.
Devil in the detail
The real glory of Barnbougle for many visitors will be in the precious artefacts and priceless antiques that burst forth at every turn – consider for a second that there are over 10,000 books in the castle alone! We’ve listed some of the highlights below to pique your interest even more:
• A bronze bell in the entrance porch made by George Watt in 1784.
• An intriguing 17th-century statue of the satyr Pan – who is half-human and half-goat – on the circular staircase.
• The “Barnbougle boneshaker” bicycle, which was invented in France in 1867.
• A striking Louis XVI mahogany cylinder bureau and a George IV mahogany hunt table locatd in the Top Parlour.
• A bath with a sea water inlet tap.
• Portraits of various luminaries of the times including Oliver Cromwell, the Duke of Lauderdale, Robert Burns, William Gladstone and Nell Gwyn.
• Painting by the Maestro del Ridotto.
• Family portraits – the fascinating stories behind which help bring the castle’s history to life.
Spectacularly re-energised
One of the things we love about Barnbougle is that new life has been given to what was a disused time warp. It has been injected with a sense of fun too. Wait until you see the surreal, but hilarious toilets on the ground floor. We won’t spoil the surprise for you! You will see them for yourself when you book your own special event or wedding in this truly unique castle, located gloriously on the banks of the Firth of Forth on the fringes of Edinburgh.
*This post comes in association with Rosebery Estates
