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A beautiful Dower House

Photo gallery for A beautiful Dower House

House from the garden side.
Property grounds
Detail from Bedroom1. The four poster
Room
The dining room. Seats 14. Though 12 is the ideal for comfort.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
6 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 141 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 6

2 Single Beds

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 4

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

A beautiful Dower House

Cranstoun Riddel in the grounds of Oxenfoord Castle and Estate have been owned by the same family for nearly five hundred years. The house is set in beautiful scenic grounds and is situated in the depth of the countryside while at same time being only 12 miles from the centre of Edinburgh. There is not another property in sight of the house or the garden there - though you will see deer; hares; birds of all sorts from black birds to owls and birds of prey.

At the same time as being very secluded we are ideally placed for travel to and from other areas. Being so near to Edinburgh we are close to both rail and airport and on a good road system for travel to all parts of Scotland. We are with 15 mins of the beautiful coastlines on East Lothian and at the same time equally close to the wonderful Pentland Hills if sights from on high and hill walking are one of your passions.

We have the culture and history of Edinburgh on our doorstep combined with shopping and all the city activities that appeal to the young.

Cranstoun Riddel is a very happy and characterful house. Ideal for family or group holidays for any reason; suitable for all ages with a bedroom and its own bathroom on the ground floor for those who may not be so agile on the stair.

The views over the parks are spectacular and the surrounding trees appear to protect the house. There is a towering Wellingtonia very close to the house with its huge trunk is seem from the drawing room window.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number ML00077F

About the area

Pathhead

Located in Pathhead, this holiday home is in a rural area. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Grassmarket and Princes Street. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Sailing and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and hiking nearby.
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Map
Pathhead, Scotland

What's nearby

  • Vogrie Country Park - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
  • Princes Street - 24 min drive - 20.6 km
  • Royal Mile - 24 min drive - 20.9 km
  • Edinburgh Castle - 25 min drive - 20.7 km
  • Murrayfield Stadium - 25 min drive - 29.7 km

Getting around

  • Newtongrange Station - 10 min drive
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Blacksmith's Forge (Wetherspoon) - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Dean Tavern - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Restoration Yard - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪The Foresters - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Restoration Cafe - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A beautiful Dower House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at A beautiful Dower House ?

As of 30 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at A beautiful Dower House on 1 June 2026 start from AU$1,439, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at A beautiful Dower House ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at A beautiful Dower House ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A beautiful Dower House ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A beautiful Dower House located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Vogrie Country Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Dalkeith Country Park and Borthwick Castle. Newbattle Abbey and Glenkinchie Distillery are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

John O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely brilliant cottage on beautiful grounds. Very easy to get into the city or drive out into the country. The owners are lovely people and make you feel very much at home. One of the best VRBO locations we're ever stayed at and we will certainly return in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Victoria W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fit for Royalt

Absolutely ideal venue for our family! The location, grounds, house and host were all wonderful!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was a great space for our family group of 13. There was a lot of space to spread out, outdoor space for the kids to run around and a great dining room for us to all eat together. I would definitely recommend this place for a large group. The kids were very happy to see deer, squirrels and lots of birds in the gardens. We had our own transport so it was easy to get around thankfully.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathy R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful family place

We had a large family gathering and the house and grounds are beautiful. Kitchen was well equipped. The outdoor area was beautiful and fun for the younger kids to stretch their legs. The furnishing was elegant but very comfortable. Everyone loved it and would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

robert c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and cozy.

This was such a wonderful experience for our family. Harriet was a great host who always communicated promptly. Very comforting.We felt appreciated and we enjoyed the cosy home. She made us feel like part of her family.Such a classy place. We very much appreciated the stay. We definitely would return.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful spacious house and grounds

The place is located in a peaceful area outside of Edinburgh. Its an easy drive into Edinburgh but public transportation options are limited. The house and grounds are charming and very delightful. The house is very spacious with multiple large common areas. This place is ideal for large families who want privacy. The host was very responsive and accommodating.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nick G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous place and host!

We had a great time and what a gorgeous house and grounds. Harriet (host) was so helpful and available when needed. Her tip on getting into Edinburgh by train was worth its weight in gold! Her restaurant recommendation was spot on and great….. we all loved it! Nick
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexander v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house

perfect for larger groups.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laurent E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful and comfortable house in a great setting

Beautiful & stylish house on very nice castle grounds. Well setup & equipped and very comfortable and spacious
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jamie T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Group stay exploring Edinburgh and surrounding areas

We really enjoyed our stay at Harriet’s place and especially enjoyed the extensive outdoor space and sense of privacy the location gives. Easy to access Edinburgh and lots of good local walks. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Catharine H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient spot for the fringe and sightseeing.

Property very well kept with traditional style. Beds were very comfy with very clean crisp bed linens. Lovely
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Bibi A.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Overall convenient

A nice spacious place, you feel isolated but yet close to nearby town and Edinburgh. Convenient for a family gathering
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Philip J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A lovely house and beautiful garden

We had such a lovely time in a beautiful house. Set in a castle’s grounds you couldn’t ask for a better place to stay. The proximity to Edinburgh allowed us to explore the city and come back and relax. The host was very helpful and we had such a lovely time! Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

victoria m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family

It was a great Scotland get away. Host was wonderful at communication. Bus location was close. Great experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aubrey H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Stay at the Dower House

We stayed at the Dower House with a large group of 11 and LOVED our time there. The house and estate grounds were beautiful and peaceful. The house was a quick drive into Edinburgh. It was nice having so much land that the kids could run around in. The owners were so kind and welcoming. Couldn't recommend this place enough.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joe K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Riddle

I absolutely gorgeous property.. The children and adults enjoyed the large yard. Everything was perfect. I would highly recommend.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Peter L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect For a Family Gathering

We loved our stay here! The property was everything we had hoped for. Loads of space for us all - 11 adults and a toddler. The house has real character and we had everything we needed. The owners were easy to communicate with, and responded very quickly when we had a minor issue. And the letting and location are beautiful too - we saw deer, hare and buzzards from the garden!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jackie O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

Everything about the house was superb. It was spacious yet cosy and you felt at home as soon as you walked in. The house is well equipped. The beds were very comfortable with cosy duvets and crisp linen. The grounds were peaceful, all topped off by deer in the garden wandering up to the house. There is nothing vaguely critical to say.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family reunion & wedding

Great location, beautiful home, well equipped kitchen. Lots of towels and bedrooms were comfortable with loads of room. Nice efficient wood burner in the sitting room - needs some fire irons but lovely and cosy. Garden space is enormous - almost cricket pitch size! Fabulous for energetic children.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Keith R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Party of six, on the estate

Being a lover of history I was thrilled to walk the grounds and stay in the Dower House! An American with a Downton fetish (I’ve even styled my business after it) I realized there were servants’ rooms as part of the house and the call bell system still in place though not functional was a stamp of authenticity. I honestly could have stayed the entire vacation and reveled in the place! I will definitely return when in Scotland and Edinburgh!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Holly S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Would come again!

Wonderful bucolic location, 10 minutes from the train station. 5 minutes from town for coffee and groceries. HUGE back lawn that our toddler had to walk across every day which was also great for playing frisbee. Wonderful estate, church and older graveyard a short walk away. Kitchen was well supplied, and there was a giant refrigerator and freezer. But I'm glad we had a local with us to explain the fantastic stove! Also puzzled by the tray of water needed to be emptied from the dryer. Difficult to pull out of the driveway onto fast street with limited view of traffic. Thank you Harriet!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beaulah A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Magical Christmas at the Dower House

We had the absolute pleasure of celebrating our first Christmas together at the stunning and charming Dower House. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that Harriet is an exceptional host—she went above and beyond by thoughtfully providing beautiful Christmas decorations that made the house feel even more magical.The house itself is incredibly spacious—we're pretty sure we didn’t even explore every room! The two stoves were a lifesaver for our family of enthusiastic cooks, allowing us to prepare our holiday feasts with ease. The dining room was simply perfect, both in size and decor, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for all of us to gather.One of the best things about the Dower House was being able to make all the noise and laughter we wanted without worrying about neighbors—a rare treat! The expansive garden was an absolute highlight, giving us the space to play traditional games and create lasting memories.The abundance of bathrooms was another fantastic feature, making everything so much easier for a large group like ours. It’s safe to say the Dower House has stolen a piece of our hearts.Thank you, Harriet and Michael, for going above and beyond to host us so beautifully. This was a Christmas we’ll cherish forever!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Melanie C.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
I'm sad to write a negative review but I wish someone had mentioned some things in their reviews or I wouldn’t have chosen to stay here. The night we arrived and went into our bedroom there were two black spiders of a good size on the wall. As we got looking around the home we noticed all kinds of cobwebs with spiders. There were dead spiders in the windows. There were live spiders in the corner of the kitchen. Worst of all, when I pulled down my bed covers a spider was inside our bed! Everyone in our party of 9 had spiders in their bedrooms and some in their beds too. The house doesn't get thoroughly cleaned - light fixtures, windows, walls, etc. had cobwebs. When mentioned to the owner they simply said “We're in the country and there are spiders - but they don’t bite”. Even if that's true, they’re spiders! The hot water was yellow. The carpets have stains. Even the exterior has webs and spiders in the doorways. Most of the house needs updating, paint, etc. the bathroom on the main floor has no window covering so my husband improvised and made his own window covering. There's also some kind of water leakage.On a positive note, the beds were very comfortable and the bedspreads were comfy and warm. Bathrooms & bedrooms were clean except for spiders. Owners are kind.For the money we paid for this house, and by all of the high reviews it has, we had no clue what we were walking into. It was very disheartening! Had I known, we would have never booked the house.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Harriet is a wonderful host, helping me with the smallest of enquiries before our group of 12 people arrived.All the beds and rooms where comfortable and the sitting room was a delight to keep the woodburner company in the evenings with a plentiful wood supply.The sun shone for our stay and we saw hares on the front lawn. The wellingtonia trees where magnificent to see.We hope to be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026

About the host

Hosted by Harriet Dalrymple

Host profile image
Our family has lived here for centuries. The castle parks and surrounding working farms are all run by and part of the family business.

Why they chose this property

This particular property is very close to our hearts as it was where we started off our early marriage and had our 4 children. Every inch of the house and garden has been loved and played in by us. We know the special atmosphere it has.

What makes this property unique

Come and stay in a property on an estate with a castle and beautiful grounds that are steeped in history. You may walk in the private grounds of the castle and on request you may be able to have a tour of the castle.

Languages:

English

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