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The House was bought as a ruin, we saw it on the internet, and thought 'well, that looks like a great project'!
The Old Millhouse Dalkeith
The Old Millhouse is a listed stone building dating back to 1703 which underwent a thorough sympathetic restoration, blending traditional materials and antique furnishings with modern design and décor to create a truly enchanting blend of old and new. The property has a classic historic charm without sacrificing contemporary conveniences.
It is owned and run by Sally de Waard. Sally's rich history of working overseas for much of her life can be felt throughout. With art and furniture influenced with her time collecting pieces from the far east, combined with living and working in Singapore and the UAE. She has brought this rich experience of service, hospitality and uniqueness home to Scotland. She combines these touches with her rich Scottish heritage, to produce a property that merges these influences together, in a perfect fusion of discreet and modest style.
The History of the Old Millhouse
The rich history of the Old Millhouse is felt everywhere. The sensitive restoration began in 2012, breathing new life into the original buildings and features, mixing the heritage with fresh, contemporary design. Set over four floors the bedrooms are located between the first and third floor accessed via the principal staircase.Â
We met Sally at the Old Millhouse on a sunny Autumn day, whilst she showed us around, and got to learn a little bit more about this wonderful property.
Interview with Sally de Waard
Most of my working life has been in hospitality, apart from while living in Singapore for ten years, where I developed a love for Chinese antiques
Thank-you Sally for welcoming us today, to your home. Can you tell us a little bit about the history of The Old Millhouse?
Certainly. The original property dates back to 1703, and then in 1852, the third level was built, when it was the miller workshop home, so nothing like how it looks now. The House was bought as a ruin, we saw it on the internet, and thought "well, that looks like a great project!
How did it become to be what it is today, as an exclusive place to stay?
Most of my career has been working in hospitality, spending ten years in Singapore. That's where you'll see the Asian artifacts and antiques coming into the decor of the house, my Scottish host style role wasn't really called for much there! But whilst there, I fell in love with Chinese antiques. This led to guiding visitors to Singapore and Chinatown to the best antique shops. And then when we left Singapore, I went to Dubai and opened a shop that sold Chinese antiques. So you have a Scottish woman, selling Chinese antiques, in Dubai! Then it was time to come home and bring my son Patrick to school here. That's when the idea for this house really started.
And then I saw it, and I just thought it was a wonderful house for people to experience. I was going to take the wedding venue route, but then decided I didn't want to do weddings. We do do very small intimate weddings, which it is perfect for, but it's more a holiday experience. And I think it fits perfectly with that. This was my whole premise, for it to be an intimate place of peacefulness, that guests can relax in as if it's their own home.Â
What do you think makes The Old Millhouse unique compared to other accommodations in and around Dalkeith?
Well, you can either sit here and forget the world exists, or you can be two minutes' walk to the very authentic pubs in Dalkeith. It's five minutes drive to the train station and then fifteen minutes on the train, and you're in Edinburgh. You can be in London in under five hours. And close to both airports. And then you've got the Scottish borders too which is a very short drive away.Â
What's some of the most popular features or amenities here that your guests appreciate or they rave about?Â
Scottish hospitality, personal service and the location of the house. Creating bespoke family experiences for our guests, offering a service that 'nothing is a problem.' It's the attention to detail, and just customer service. We work hard on our relationship with local businesses too, to have that conversation, where we can share and accommodate guests' needs.Â
Our recent guests preferred to view Scotland from the air, so it was very exciting to arrange helicopters for a trip to Skye, and a round of golf at St Andrews
And we can take helicopters. One of our recent guests preferred to view Scotland from the air, so it was very exciting to arrange helicopters for a trip to Skye and a round of golf at St Andrews. During this summer, a fabulous group preferred to view Scotland from the air, two helicopters were arranged, lifting off only 5 mins from the house. Guests enjoyed a superb lunch at Kinloch Lodge in Skye, then off to St Andrews for a blustery round of golf. We loved arranging this trip, as it's not everyday we wave off two helicopters; I think we were the talk of Dalkeith! So again, our location allows us to really arrange anything for our guests. We are also lucky to have, at Edinburgh, the very active private jet terminal, used quite frequently by our guests.
That's deeply impressive! So, give us an idea of some of the personal touches or experiences you've added to some guests in the past?
I think it's our secret piper. Ian creates some fabulous memories for our guests. Often not a dry eye in the house when Ian marches over the lawns towards the house playing Amazing Grace. With his kilt and plaid blowing in the wind - very moving for many of our guests. We arrange Ian as a surprise special thank-you, for our guests for choosing The Old Millhouse.
For me, it's actually a pleasure having people stay here, and me having the opportunity to, first hand, create an amazing experience for them.
Wow, that's a lovely touch. How does it work then, in terms of people living in your house? That is also your home for a good part of the year?
I used to go to castles and visit all these places, and it was very easy for me to think, 'okay, I can do this'. I don't like working in an office. I love this job. It's a great job. And I can suit it to how many weeks a year I want to do it, it's very complimentary. You have people go away happy and they've had a great stay, and I like making people happy. Retail hospitality or service, there is a part that goes, 'I want to engage people and have them engage back, in a way that means they had a satisfactory or an engaging or a great experience'. Because then, that someone has had a more positive day and, as a result, a positive week or positive experience because of something I or we did. So, for me, it's actually a pleasure having people stay here, and me having the opportunity to first hand create an amazing experience for them.
Finally then, do you have a favorite tartan for yourself?
I do enjoy most tartans, but MacNeil of Barra is my tartan.
The Old Millhouse is about 45 mins drive from Edinburgh airport, in the town of Dalkeith, not far from Dalkeith Palace, the historic seat of Clan Scott!
If you want to experience The Old Millhouse yourself, you can find out more by visiting their website here.
If you do visit the Old Millhouse, please do get in touch to let us know about your stay!
