The Palace That Never Was

Sorry you are too late, this event has been and gone!

An exhibition of the magnificent wooden architectural model of Dalkeith Palace created in 1831 by Biggar's own George Meikle Kemp will be on display at Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum from April!

About The Palace That Never Was

Listed Under Exhibitions Events / Family and Kids Events / History Events

By kind permission of the Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry, and the Trustees of the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust.

A magnificent wooden architectural model of Dalkeith Palace, built by George Meikle Kemp (1795-1844). The model took two years to build from 1831-1832.
Kemp was engaged by architect William Burn (1789-1870), who worked for The Duke of Buccleuch, to build the model from Burn's architectural drawings of a plan to revamp Dalkeith Palace.

Sadly the revamp of the Palace was never achieved.

George Meikle Kemp was born at Hillriggs, Biggar. A monument to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth was positioned by Biggar and Upper Clydesdale Museum, on the hill overlooking where the family had lived.

From very lowly beginnings George went on to become one of Scotland's most famous self taught architects by winning a competition to design a monument to celebrate the life of the recently deceased Sir Walter Scott. This iconic monument still exists today on Princes Street Edinburgh.

In 1993, Patrick Baxter Furniture in Auchengray, was asked by Richard, The Earl of Dalkeith, now His Grace The Duke of Buccleuch, to look into restoring the architectural model. During the 20th Century the model had been sadly neglected despite valiant efforts by Buccleuch staff to maintain and keep the model secure. It took Patrick and his team approx 3000 hours until 2001 to research and complete the restoration of the model.

When the exhibition is finished it is proposed that the model will be returned to the vestibule at Dalkeith Palace where it was originally displayed nearly 200 years ago.

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Other Events at Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum

Exhibitions

Ian Hamilton Finlay: Images From The Arcadian Dream Garden

5th July 2025 - 28th September 2025

Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum, Biggar

Biggar Museum presents Images from the Arcadian Dream Garden, a centenary exhibition honouring the life and work of internationally acclaimed artist, poet, and landscape designer Ian Hamilton Finlay!