Dalhousie Castle Falconry

Dalhousie Castle Falconry lets visitors handle and fly birds of prey on the grounds of the historic Dalhousie Castle estate near Bonnyrigg.

The collection includes hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles, with sessions led by trained falconers who explain the birds’ behaviour, flight, and different hunting styles.

The setting is a large part of the appeal. Instead of watching a short display from behind a barrier, booked experiences offer closer contact with the birds, with options for individuals, families, and groups.

The falconry team has more than 40 years of experience with the sport, according to the castle’s estate guide.

Falconry Experiences

Dalhousie lists several experience formats, including an Owl Encounter, Raptor Experience, Mixed Hour, and Full Experience. The exact birds used can depend on the session and conditions, so it’s better to book the type of experience you want rather than expecting a particular species on the day.

Sessions are suitable for a wide age range and can be booked privately or for groups. The focus is hands-on, with trained staff supervising contact with the birds and explaining what makes an owl, hawk, falcon, or eagle different in flight and temperament.

• Birds: hawks, owls, falcons, eagles, and other birds of prey
• Formats: shorter owl and raptor encounters through to fuller mixed experiences
• Booking: individual and group sessions available
• Age range: experiences are promoted as suitable for all age groups, subject to booking requirements

Dalhousie Castle and the Estate

The falconry sits within the grounds of Dalhousie Castle, an historic castle hotel beside the River South Esk. You do not need to stay overnight to book a falconry experience, and the estate also runs archery sessions for visitors who want to combine two outdoor activities.

Free parking is available at the castle for guests and visitors. The grounds include riverside and woodland walks, so it is possible to make more of the trip than the booked flying session alone, although access to hotel facilities and other activities should be checked separately.

Getting There and Booking

Dalhousie Castle is around eight miles from central Edinburgh. Newtongrange is the nearest railway station, about 1.7 miles away, with trains from Edinburgh Waverley taking roughly 22 minutes and running around every 30 minutes according to the castle’s current travel information.

Falconry sessions are popular, and the castle recommends advance booking. Contact the falconry team directly on 01875 825728 or info@falconryscotland.co.uk for available dates, times, and the right experience for your group.