The elaborate prototype of Dalkeith Palace in Midlothian was built for the 5th Duke of Buccleuch by George Meikle Kemp, the designer of Edinburgh’s famous monument to the novelist Sir Walter Scott. Kemp spent two years building his intricate mock-up for architect William Burn, the great innovator of historic styles and their adaptation to modern needs.

Burn had hoped to create a Jacobean-style home that was more elaborate than the original Palace, completed in 1711. But his bold plans proved too ambitious, and the palace never materialised. Kemp’s model, completed in 1832, was displayed in the vestibule at Dalkeith Palace for 60 years before languishing, dismantled, in the Palace basement until 1993.

In 1993, Patrick Baxter was asked by Richard, The Earl of Dalkeith, now His Grace The Duke of Buccleuch, to restore the model which had been sadly neglected despite valiant efforts by Buccleuch staff to maintain and keep the model secure. In 2023, while preparing the model for exhibition at Biggar Museum, the work continued.

It took Patrick and his team approx. 3000 hours to research and complete the restoration of the model.

As a new highlight for the 2025 season at Dalkeith Palace, visitors can now see the remarkable 200-year-old architectural model on display as part of our Palace Tours.

Created to showcase the ambitious plans of the 5th Duke of Buccleuch, the model offers a fascinating glimpse into the grand vision for the palace’s expansion. It will be featured exclusively as part of the guided Dalkeith Palace Tours, running every Friday and Saturday at 11:30 AM from 2–31 May 2025.