The White House wife, her family’s Scots hotel... and some very Fawlty Trip Advisor reviews
FOR Louise Linton, it was the backdrop to an enchanting Scottish childhood.
But while the actress, who is now part of Donald Trump’s inner circle, may be misty-eyed about Melville Castle, it seems some recent visitors are less impressed.
For the 18th Century mansion owned and run by Ms Linton’s family as a hotel has been the subject of some very uncomfortable customer reviews. One even compared it to Fawlty Towers.
The 36-year-old, who married US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin in June, is no stranger to the finer things in life. She has controversially travelled by US government jet with her husband and showcased her collection of diamonds in a glossy magazine.
Educated at Fettes College in Edinburgh, she has lived in the United States for years. But despite dreaming of a career as a successful actress, she has never forgotten the turreted country pile, bought in 1993 and renovated by her family.
In a 2015 interview, she said it would make a perfect backdrop for her next film, stating: ‘I spent the weekends at Melville Castle. It was an idyllic childhood spent mostly outdoors with all the animals.
‘My siblings and I zoomed around on little motorbikes, kayaked and fished.
‘The castle is magical and filled with so much history and I can’t wait to film there – it’s definitely an inspiring place to shoot a movie.’
However, recent guests at the grand hotel have been less glowing about the hospitality on offer. They have included allegations of unchanged bed sheets, no hot water, stained carpets and a wine waiter who had never heard of shiraz.
In a series of startling online reviews, one even described Melville as ‘the worst place I have ever stayed’, adding: ‘The bathroom was quite frankly disgusting.
‘Beautiful from the outside [but] my advice would be to drive past... and find somewhere else to stay.’
Another visitor wrote: ‘Looks like a castle, but more like an uncared-for hostel. The wine waiter did not know what shiraz was. No cruets on the tables, waitress said people stole them all. This place should be renamed Fawlty Towers.’ One used capital letters to get their point across, stating: ‘PLEASE DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON STAYING HERE.’ Ms Linton’s brother David Hay, 39, and sister Suzanne Hay, 44, are directors of Melville Castle Ltd along with their father, William, 88. It is understood David oversees the running of the hotel. After leaving Scotland Ms Linton appeared in a handful of feature films and TV episodes, including CSI: New York, as well as a reality show called Hopelessly Rich. She also turned author but her self-published memoir, In Congo’s Shadow, was ridiculed for its description of her ‘nightmare’ gap year volunteering in Zambia.
In June this year, she married former Wall Street financier Mr Mnuchin, 54. In August, they flew to Scotland on honeymoon and posed for photographs at Melville Castle.
Rooms at the hotel, which is set in 50 acres of woodland outside Dalkeith, Midlothian, and is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Mary, Queen of Scots, cost an average of £119 a night.
But some reviews on travel website Trip Advisor are uncomplimentary. One, posted days after Ms Linton and Mr Mnuchin visited, warned: ‘The castle was very peaceful, but if you are visiting on a bank holiday, don’t expect any special service. You will be paying fivestar rates for a two-star service.’
Other customers, by contrast, praised the staff – and one called the hotel ‘elegance personified’.
Last week, David Hay insisted the majority of reviews were positive, saying: ‘We always want to make sure everyone who visits Melville Castle has a wonderful time... The team here really appreciate the exceptional feedback we get from so many of our clients, scoring four out of five on Trip Advisor.’