Dalmeny

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This article is about the village in Scotland. For other places with the same name, see Dalmeny (disambiguation).

Dalmeny is a village and parish in Scotland. Now more or less a suburb of South Queensferry, it falls administratively under Edinburgh, although not physically part of the city. The name is of Scottish Gaelic origin, being now Dail Mheinnidh or Dail M'Eithne in the modern language. This may refer to an ancient ecclesiastical settlement, dedicated to an obscure (female) saint Eithne; the local church is at least a thousand years old.

The present building is recognised as the finest Romanesque parish church still in use in Scotland, and one of the most complete in Britain, lacking only its original western tower (rebuilt in a sympathetic style in the early 20th century). The aisleless nave, choir and apse survive almost complete from the 12th century. The refined sculptural detail of the chancel and apse arches is notable, as is a series of powerful beast-head corbels supporting the apse vault. These features are also extremely well-preserved, with the original tool-marks still visible. Outside the elaborate south doorway, which is enlivened with blind arcading above the entrance, is a unique 12th century sarcophagus carved with figures of saints in niches (now very weathered).

Apart from its parish church, Dalmeny is best known for the stately home, Dalmeny House. The south end of the Forth Bridge begins in Dalmeny, and this is the location for the train station for South Queensferry. The village has no buildings of historic interest except for its exceptionally fine church (where John Hill Burton is interred), consisting mainly of 20th century housing.

The late 1990s have seen a large amount of new housing, mainly for Edinburgh commuters.

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