We were kindly invited to Dalhousie Castle, near Edinburgh, for a behind-the-scenes tour. Now a hotel known for its splendid hospitality, Dalhousie has a history reaching back 800 years.

The castle is currently closed for major refurbishment – an ambitious project which has uncovered many layers of construction. We were offered the chance to explore parts of the castle that are not usually accessible to guests, including two hidden rooms and the bottle dungeon.

We were also treated to a delicious light lunch. Many thanks to Dr Mike Clark and the Dalhousie staff for their warm and generous welcome.