Dalhousie Castle

HISTORY
Simundus de Ramesie, an Englishman of Norman descent, followed King David I to Scotland from the Huntingdonshire village of Ramsay, in about 1140. He is considered the founder of the Ramsay clan and the first to have lands at Dalwolsey. The first castle at Dalhousie was constructed by him. The drum tower, oldest part of the current structure, and L Plan Castle dates to the mid 15th century. The majority of the current castle dates to the 17th century.

Dalhousie Castle has seen much history. King Edward I (Longshanks) stayed at the castle on his way to meet Sir William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk. In 1400, Sir Alexander Ramsay withstood a six month siege at Dalhousie by English forces led by King Henry IV. Many Earls of Dalhousie have taken an active part in British political and military leadership

Now the castle has a Falconry on it's grounds hence the pics of the birds. It's facinating to watch these presentations. There wasn't one going on while I was there today, but as you can see you can get right up to the birds, they are just tied to stoops. The second pic should look familiar to you Missouri folks. (it's a red tailed hawk, i'm pretty sure those are the ones we see out at the farm all the time, if not, someone correct me.hehe)