The first floor of Thirlestane Castle is home to some of its finest spaces. The Duke of Lauderdale’s dressing room and bedroom are located right next to the magnificent State Rooms, and they hold fascinating tales. These two spaces allow visitors to truly appreciate the splendour of the Duke’s alterations in the early 1670s.

For his loyalty to the crown, John Maitland, 2^nd Earl of Lauderdale, was elevated to the dukedom in 1672. As Comptroller of the King’s Works of the Palace of Holyrood House, his dressing room was one of the most important spaces in the state apartments as this is where private and intimate discussions took place.

The ornate desk in the centre of the dressing room, crafted in the style of French cabinet maker Andre-Charles Boulle but with legs added later, is one of the oldest pieces of furniture in the Castle and dates from the late 17^th century. The proudly framed document is the Royal Letters Patent issued by Charles II, with a portrait of the King, elevating John, Duke of Lauderdale to the English peerage as Marquees of March, Earl of Guildford and Baron Petersham on 25 June 1672.

Moving through from the dressing room to the bedroom, the ceilings become even more extravagant, and your eye is instantly drawn upwards. The Duke employed English plasterer, George Dunsterfield, and his team of Dutch craftsmen to create these masterpieces. By using handmade plaster moulds and gold gilding, Dunsterfield made meticulous details which were incredibly realistic.

A grand bed was installed in 1998 and is on loan from Burghley House in Lincolnshire. It was made around 1800 for the 3^rd Marquees of Exeter.

The wallpaper used throughout the Duke’s suite of rooms is thought to date from 1870 and is remarkably well preserved considering it had been exposed to the effects of coal fires and oil lamps.

The Duke died in August 1682 when all the titles granted to him expired because he had no male heir, making him the only Duke of Lauderdale. A grand portrait of him wearing garter robes, painted by Sir Peter Lely, is hung in the dressing room.

You can discover these wonderful spaces on a Guided Tour of Thirlestane Castle. Find out more and book your tickets here.