Directions to Dalkeith Castle

Dalkeith Castle can be reached by car, taxi or bus from the Edinburgh city centre.  Directions from the Edinburgh airport, train station and city centre buses as well as driving directions from Edinburgh and Glasgow along with links to area transportation sites that my be of assistance are listed below.

Daily transportation from conference lodging sites:  those lodging at the Dalkeith Castle will be housed in the same building as the conference.  The County Hotel is a two block walk down the High Street from the Dalkeith Castle.  The University of Edinburgh housing is on the bus route to Dalkeith and located next to the Royal Commonwealth Pool (see http://www.edinburghfirst.com for location maps and travel directions to the University housing).  For getting to Dalkeith Castle see the directions for the bus from Edinburgh.  The Melville Castle hotel is about two miles from Dalkeith Castle.  Recommended access is by cab.  A shuttle van between the hotel and Dalkeith Castle may be available.

From the Edinburgh Airport: a taxicab can be taken directly to Dalkeith Castle (cab fare is running £35-45).  Two different airport buses can be taken into the city centre for a transfer to a bus into Dalkeith.  The Airlink 100 operates a frequent bus service (every 10 minutes at peak times) between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, with designated stops en route. Journey time is about 25 minutes and tickets cost £3.00 single and £5.00 return. http://www.flybybus.com.  The Edinburgh Shuttle operates a frequent, on-demand mini-coach service between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre. Departs every 10-20 minutes to any address within the city centre zone. http://www.edinburghshuttle.com.  A cab to the city centre will cost £15-20.  For directions by bus from the city centre to Dalkeith Castle (or the University housing) see the directions for getting to Dalkeith Castle by bus. A taxi from the city centre to the University housing will cost around £5.

Driving from Edinburgh to Dalkeith Castle: From the airport, depart the airport for Edinburgh. Follow this until you reach the Edinburgh Bypass (A720). Take this until it ends at the Sheriffhall roundabout. Take the Dalkeith exit (A68) off this roundabout. You will then come to a traffic light. Turn left at this light onto the High Street and go about three blocks right into Dalkeith Country Park. Once inside the gate, proceed to the left lane and go about 1/2 block where the lane divides again. Go about one block and park in front of Dalkeith Castle.

From Edinburgh by car, take Old Dalkeith Road to the Sheriffhall roundabout (about six miles).  Take the Dalkeith exit (A68) off this roundabout. You will then come to a traffic light. Turn left at this light onto the High Street and go about three blocks right into Dalkeith Country Park.  Once inside the gate, proceed to the left lane and go about 1/2 block where the lane divides again. Go about one block and park in front of Dalkeith Castle.

If coming from the Glasgow airport by car, take the Glasgow exit. Follow this through Glasgow and on toward Edinburgh until you reach the Edinburgh Bypass (A720). Take this until it ends at the Sheriffhall roundabout. Take the Dalkeith exit (A68) off this roundabout. You will then come to a traffic light. Turn left at this light onto the High Street and go about three blocks right into Dalkeith Country Park. Once inside the gate, proceed to the left lane and go about 1/2 block where the lane divides again. Go about one block and park in front of Dalkeith Castle.

Bus from Glasgow: There is a bus that runs from the airport into Glasgow Bus Station.  From there you can catch an intercity bus to Edinburgh (about £8 round trip). After arrival at the Bus Station in Edinburgh (St. Andrews Terminal) walk down to Princes Street and catch a bus into Dalkeith.  See the directions for getting to Dalkeith Castle by bus. 

If arriving in Edinburgh by train: Edinburgh has two main train stations: Edinburgh Waverley, which is in the city centre (and provides the easiest access to Dalkeith Castle) and Haymarket in the West End.  The following companies provide more information on trains to Edinburgh: For travel to and from Edinburgh to all points in Scotland: First Scotrail contact number - 08457 48 49 50.  For all your timetables and fares UK wide: National Rail Enquiries contact number - 08457 48 49 50.  For all your rail travel requirements: Traveline contact number - 0871 200 22 33.  Waverley station is in the city centre.  From there you can either catch a cab to Dalkeith (£20-30) or one of the buses.  See the directions for getting to Dalkeith Castle by bus.

Getting to Dalkeith Castle by bus from Edinburgh: There are two bus companies that operate in Edinburgh with service to Dalkeith.  First bus (http://www.firstgroup.com/index.php) line #86 and Lothian bus (http://lothianbuses.com/index.php) lines 49, 3 or 3A all go into the Dalkeith city centre. You will need the correct amount of money, so have a pocketful of change. One-way fares are £1.  Multi-ride tickets and day passes are also available.  See the company websites listed above for more information.  It is about eight miles and takes about 20-30 minutes from Edinburgh city centre to Dalkeith. Ask the bus driver to tell you when you are getting near the High Street bus stop. Get off and walk about 50 yards until you come to High Street. Go left (northeast) and walk through town (less than one mile) along the High Street in the direction of Musselburgh Road until you come to Dalkeith Country Park. Once inside the gate, proceed to the left lane and go about 1/2 block where the lane divides again. Go about one block and you will be in front of Dalkeith Castle. For a map of the House and grounds see http://www.dalkeithcountrypark.com.