Historic Castles and Houses of Fife, within easy reach of Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy
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Culross
Perfectly preserved old Scottish town, much used as a film location, complete with cobbled streets on the banks of the Forth.just west of Dunfermline.
The impressive “Palace” a magnificent merchant's residence built by Sir George Bruce, a local landowner and entrepeneur around 1600, is fully furnished and open to visitors. The Town House built in 1626 and impressive old house know as the "Study" built around 1610 are also open to visitors, as of course is the Abbey and Church.
Kinross and Loch Leven
Large inland lake with lakeside walks, childrens' park and the Boathouse Bistro, a nice informal lakeside cafe.restaurant.
The Bistro organises lakeside barbecues with live entertainment on the first and last Friday of each month from May to September.
Boat trips from Kinross Pier outside the Bistro from March to October across the lake to the ancient island fortress, Loch Leven Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was once imprisoned and from which she made her daring escape.
Kinross House built by famous Scottish Architect, William Adam, overlooks the lake.
You can hire a bicycle from the Boathouse Bistro, and cycle along the 13km of lakeside tracks.
Easily accessible from the M90. (Please note Loch Leven is at Kinross, not at the coastal town of Leven).
Falkland and Falkland Palace
The quaint old village of Falkland at the foot of the Lomond Hills, has an impressive Royal Palace in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, open during the summer months. Easy woodland walks through the Falkland Estate with more strenuous climbs up the Lomond Hills.
Kellie Castle
Ancient mansion house near Pittenweem restored by the Lorimer family.
Castle Campbell, at Dollar
Walk through the lovely Dollar Glen up to the atmospheric 15th century castle, which was the chief Lowland stronghold of the Campbell Clan.
Hopetoun House
Not strictly in Fife, but just across the Forth Bridge at South Queensferry is Hopetoun House, one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture in Britain. "The magnificent interiors which have remained virtually unchanged for three centuries reflect the elegance of the Georgian era and are decorated with the best period furniture, paintings, tapestries and clocks, with beautifully crafted finishes of carving, gilding and plasterwork." Large tearoom and 150 acres of splendid grounds to explore.
St Andrews Castle and Cathedral
The extensive ruins of both occupy impressive clifftop locations overlooking the sea. Both have museums and visitor centres.
St Andrews boasts many other historic buildings including St Salvators Church and St Mary's College.
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Culross
Perfectly preserved old Scottish town, much used as a film location, complete with cobbled streets on the banks of the Forth.just west of Dunfermline.
The impressive “Palace” a magnificent merchant's residence built by Sir George Bruce, a local landowner and entrepeneur around 1600, is fully furnished and open to visitors. The Town House built in 1626 and impressive old house know as the "Study" built around 1610 are also open to visitors, as of course is the Abbey and Church.
Kinross and Loch Leven
Large inland lake with lakeside walks, childrens' park and the Boathouse Bistro, a nice informal lakeside cafe.restaurant.
The Bistro organises lakeside barbecues with live entertainment on the first and last Friday of each month from May to September.
Boat trips from Kinross Pier outside the Bistro from March to October across the lake to the ancient island fortress, Loch Leven Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was once imprisoned and from which she made her daring escape.
Kinross House built by famous Scottish Architect, William Adam, overlooks the lake.
You can hire a bicycle from the Boathouse Bistro, and cycle along the 13km of lakeside tracks.
Easily accessible from the M90. (Please note Loch Leven is at Kinross, not at the coastal town of Leven).
Falkland and Falkland Palace
The quaint old village of Falkland at the foot of the Lomond Hills, has an impressive Royal Palace in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, open during the summer months. Easy woodland walks through the Falkland Estate with more strenuous climbs up the Lomond Hills.
Kellie Castle
Ancient mansion house near Pittenweem restored by the Lorimer family.
Castle Campbell, at Dollar
Walk through the lovely Dollar Glen up to the atmospheric 15th century castle, which was the chief Lowland stronghold of the Campbell Clan.
Hopetoun House
Not strictly in Fife, but just across the Forth Bridge at South Queensferry is Hopetoun House, one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture in Britain. "The magnificent interiors which have remained virtually unchanged for three centuries reflect the elegance of the Georgian era and are decorated with the best period furniture, paintings, tapestries and clocks, with beautifully crafted finishes of carving, gilding and plasterwork." Large tearoom and 150 acres of splendid grounds to explore.
St Andrews Castle and Cathedral
The extensive ruins of both occupy impressive clifftop locations overlooking the sea. Both have museums and visitor centres.
St Andrews boasts many other historic buildings including St Salvators Church and St Mary's College.
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