In 1822, in anticipation of George IV's visit to Scotland, an impressive fluted stone column 135 ft high was erected in the gardens of St. Andrews Square to bear the figure of the King. However, the Edinburgh dignitaries, momentarily displeased with the King, surmounted the column with the figure of Lord Melville. The King was required to make do with a less prominent position in Hanover Street and a modest pedestal of only 12 feet. Lord Melville also had sight of the plans for the New Town and, to the dismay of the officials, he acquired the principal feu in St Andrews Square and built the finest classical mansion house in the city. The church originally intended for the site had to be relocated to George Street. It is known as Saint Andrews 'the round church which leaves no corner for the devil.'

In 1828, King George IV again visited Scotland as a guest of the Duke of Buccleuch at Dalkeith Palace. Whether aware of his displacement from St. Andrews Square, the King visited Melville Castle. For this, a special carriage way, now Melville Gate Road, was created between the two mansions. A grand review of the Midlothian Yeomanry, of which Lord Melville was Colonel, took place on the south lawn. For this occasion Lord Melville arranged a lavish Banquet and among the distinguished personages gathered to meet the King was Sir Walter Scott who lived nearby and was a frequent visitor to the Castle. It is recorded that a sumptuous meal was enjoyed by the guests and the members of the Yeomanry, who were amply provided for. The estate workers also enjoyed a feast and there was still enough food remaining for the poor of the district to be fed.

In 1842, on the occasion of her first tour of Scotland, 23 year old Queen Victoria was a guest at the castle and was enamoured by the beautiful and tranquil character of the estate. Walter Scott was also inspired to write of 'Melville's Beechy Grove' in his work 'Grey Brother'.

The castle remained in the hands of the Dundas family for some generations and after the second world war, the Ninth Lord Melville moved to a smaller house on the estate and the castle was temporarily leased as an army rehabilitation centre and later as an hotel. In the late 1980's the castle, the estate and the adjoining farms were sold. The castle, however, suffered badly from neglect and the ensuing dry rot brought it to dereliction and eventual closure. In 1993, after being open to the weather and with floors collapsing, it was acquired by the Hay Trust and over a period of 8 years, it underwent extensive restoration and refurbishment to become again the fine and elegant building you see today. It remains in the ownership of the trust and was opened as a 4 star hotel in June 2003.

During renovation, an apparition, shrouded and featureless but unmistakably female in form and deportment, was seen to move from the fireplace of the Library bar towards and through the wall opposite. As work progressed, when the old plaster was stripped from the wall, a built up doorway was revealed. It was re-opened and now serves as the entrance to the Arniston Room from the Library. The spirit has also been seen hovering at the foot of the bed in a first floor bedroom and most recently as a shadowy figure at the window. These visitations persist and invariably occur at dusk or during the hours of darkness! Speculation suggests that it could be the distraught spirit of Mary Stuart searching for her close companion, David Rizzio, and their times of happiness at Melville Castle.

During the recent renovations, the foundations of the old castle came to light and a series of stone steps were found leading down to what? Time precluded the excavation of the rubble and the steps remain to this day, a mystery under the flagstones of the Main Hall.

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