The Old Millhouse
A large, luxurious property set within 3.5 acres with beautiful bedrooms eight miles southeast of Edinburgh.
It’s hard to believe now, but The Old Millhouse was largely derelict as little as a decade ago. Since then, however, this B-listed stone building has happily been transformed into an award-winning rental home. In the old, bustling town of Dalkeith, only eight miles from Edinburgh, it now offers space, style, luxury and privacy.
Among the most impressive features is an enclosed, 3.5-acre garden which lines the River South Esk. Perfect for croquet or some reading, sweeping green lawns give way to wooded, bird-rich banks where bursts of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells appear during winter and spring. You’ll even find some resident hens in the grounds.
Back towards the former miller’s home is its ‘Outdoor Swim Spa’: a huge hot tub featuring hydrotherapy jets and LED lighting. This can host up to six adults, and you’ll be provided with robes, spa towels and flip flops to enhance the experience. An elevated patio to one side contains sofa-style seats offering glorious river views and receives evening sunlight, making it dreamily ideal for cocktails.
Plenty more socialising spaces await inside your four-level home, mostly on the ground floor: a large, sofa-strewn sunroom with glass on three sides, a ten-person dining table and a remote-controlled fireplace; an aviation-themed snug to delight whisky lovers; and a sleek, high-spec kitchen whose breakfast bar and Nespresso machine enable casual coffee chats. Ripe for movie nights is the elegant first-floor drawing room, its window seats and working fireplace flanking a wall-mounted TV.
Spread across the first, second and third floors, all five garden-facing bedrooms are en-suite: each has a power shower and underfloor heating, while two also yield an opulent bathtub. Top-end Hypnos cashmere-and-wool mattresses are ever-present, as is 325-thread-count bedding. The second-floor Pentland Room can be configured as a twin room should it suit, and a final pair of sleeping quarters above are loft rooms offering some up-in-the-eaves escapism.
Visible throughout is a sophisticated mixture of handpicked antiques, Asian influences and contemporary design. You’ll find original bricks or beams from 1703 here, then carved ebony elephants there; owner Sally de Waard is an interior designer and it really shows.
How to spend your days? Riverside relaxation is an option of course, including fishing for sea trout and salmon. Permits for this need sorting in advance, as do lessons from a visiting ghillie. Drawing or Pilates classes can also be arranged on the estate, while nearby Dalkeith Country Park and the Pentland Hills offer wonderful walking across various types of terrain. You could also tour Glenkinchie Distillery and buy their single malts, visit Rosslyn Chapel, explore Edinburgh or venture to sandy East Lothian beaches.
Property Layout
GROUND FLOOR
Access into the hallway with door leading to garden.
Orangery with two sofas and four armchairs, remote-controlled fireplace, garden views and French doors leading into the garden. Sonos music system.
Dining area with dining table and seating for ten guests.
Kitchen with breakfast bar seating four guests, integrated electric oven, microwave, electric range-style cooker, Nespresso machine.
Snug with two armchairs and bar with two stools.
FIRST FLOOR
The Miller's Room with Hypnos Wool and Cashmere super king bed, dressing table, armchair, wardrobe.
En suite bathroom with underfloor heating, bath with shower over, WC and basin.
Drawing room with open fire (logs provided), wall-mounted TV, large sofas, armchair and window seats.
SECOND FLOOR
The Pentland Room with Hypnos Cashmere and Wool zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or twin, as preferred. Large wardrobe, dressing table.
En suite bathroom with underfloor heating, walk-in shower with rainforest head, WC and basin.
The Esk Room - master bedroom - with Hypnos Wool and Cashmere super king bed, wardrobe, two armchairs and side tables.
En suite bathroom with underfloor heating, roll-top bath, separate walk-in rainforest shower, bidet, WC and basin.
THIRD FLOOR
The Dalkeith Room with Hypnos Cashmere and Wool zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or twin, as preferred. Side tables and armchair.
En suite bathroom with walk-in shower, WC and basin.
The Toile de Jour Room with Hypnos super king bed, side tables and dressing table.
En suite bathroom with walk-in shower, WC and basin.
OUTSIDE
The Old Millhouse is surrounded by 3.5 acres of beautiful gardens and sweeping lawns. There is a patio area with large table seating ten guests and additional bench seating. There is a fence around the garden and grounds so the only access is via the main gate but please note that the fence is not solid.
Please note there are resident hens in a secure pen in the grounds. With guest permission, they may be let out during the day.
There is additional sofa-style seating on the raised patio overlooking the swim spa. The swim spa (3m x 4m, heated to 37.5 degrees) with jets and LED lighting is suitable for up to 6 adults. Robes, spa towels and flip flops are provided for guests.
There is plenty of parking available on the gravel area in front of the property.
Location
The Old Millhouse has the best of both worlds. Sitting on its own, sounded by woodland and the River South Esk, yet just a short 7 minute walk from the town centre of Dalkeith.
In Dalkeith you’ll find a post office, butcher and family bakers, as well as the Black Bull Pub and the Cavaliere Italian Restaurant. You will also find two large supermarkets for all the supplies you may need.
The Restoration Yard and Wellbeing Lab sits within Dalkeith Country Park (1.2 miles) offering great shopping, homeware, food and drink, giftware and more. There is the Fort Douglas Adventure Park to keep children entertained with treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides and climbing walls. The Coffee Bar and The Kitchen restaurant offer tasty breakfasts, lunches or afternoon tea using fresh, local produce.
The Secret Herb Garden (6 miles) is set within an old nursery and serves delicious and seasonal produce, such as soups, quiches and cakes which can be enjoyed in the gardens or in the glasshouse.
Travel into the city centre of Edinburgh (10 miles) for a wide choice of bars, cafés and renowned restaurants. Tom Kitchin’s The Kitchin comes highly recommended (be sure to book in advance), as well as Six by Nico, where you’ll be served six courses from their tasting menu, based around a different theme changing every six weeks. Or taste what’s in season through the tasting menu at Aizle, then have drinks afterwards in the spectacular setting of The Dome (a must-visit at Christmas time for the incredible display of lights).
It’s better to use public transport when heading into the city, as parking can be tricky, but fortunately, Lothian Buses offer regular services from Eskbank and Dalkeith, or there’s a train station just 7 minutes away (Eskbank Station), where you can take a short 20-minute ride to Edinburgh Waverley, right in the centre.
Fishing can be arranged at just £25.00 per person on the River South Esk that runs through the grounds. The river is home to sea trout and even the occasional salmon and is a perfect place for beginners. Please contact us for further details.
Amenities
- Allows babies in armsUp to 12 months.
- Allows children1 - 16 years.
- CotA travel cot is available on request. Travel cot bedding is not supplied.
- Dog friendlyTwo dogs are welcome and we ask that dogs are kept downstairs and off the furniture. Please note that the fence around the garden is not solid so dogs could gain access to the river.
- Enclosed garden
- Fishing on siteRefer to Location tab for further information.
- HairdryerA hairdryer is provided in each bedroom.
- HeatingThere is a remote-controlled fire in the Orangery and an open fire in the drawing room. There is underfloor heating in the Esk en suite bathroom.
- Highchair
- Hot tub/outside bath
- Linen & towels providedFeather bedding is provided. Bathrobes and slippers are also provided.
- Open fire/ Woodburning stoveBaskets of logs and kindling provided.
- Outside space
- Walking distance to a pub (under 1 mile)
- Wi-FiWi-Fi is provided. Mobile coverage is good on most networks.
All Amenities
Important Information
Please note that there is a swim spa in the garden and the River Esk runs through the grounds so children should be supervised at all times. There is a fence running around the garden and grounds but this is not solid.
For safety reasons, we do not permit electric vehicle or hybrid car charging at this property. If you’re travelling by EV, discover your nearest electric vehicle charging point here.
Scottish short-term lets licence number: ML00016F. The current EPC rating for this property is band D, a copy of the certificate can be found here.
Arrival time: 4pm
Departure time: 10am
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