scottish castles & private houses

Here are our favourite ‘must visits’:-

Pitreavie Castle

An altered U-plan house of the early 17th c, with many gunloops, and a vaulted basement. Pitreavie was built by the Wardlaws of Balmule, who had acquired the lands in 1608. It passed to the Primrose family in 1703, then the Blackwoods in 1711, who carried out some alterations. It was abandoned by the mid 19thc , but was bought, restored and renovated by the Beveridge family in 1885.

During a period when the estate was utilized as a Royal Navy and Airforce base, the castle acted as a mess hall until the base closed in the 1990's.

Abbot House Heritage Centre

Visit one of the oldests houses in Dunfermline, adjacent to Dunfermline's very own Abbey, and step back in time. Full of history, the atmosphere within its walls will chill your spine. The displays in Abbot House span more than 1,000 years of Scottish life and history from the time of the Picts to the building of the Forth Road Bridge. Originally the 15th century residence of the mighty Abbot of Dunfermline, the old house has witnessed great events and, since Dunfermline was the ancient Capital of Scotland, its story and that of its folk becomes the story of the Scottish nation.

Aberdour Castle

Built in the 14th century, Aberdour Castle sits near Aberdour in Fife on the Firth of Forth and had been in Douglas ownership from 1342 until it passed into state care in 1924. It comprises of three distinct parts, the latter of which is still inhabited and its grounds include a 16th century beehive, a well, gardens and walled terraces. In 1725, the Douglas family moved to Aberdour House. It has also been home to the Earl of Moray.

Blackness Castle

Built in the 15th century by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons, Blackness was never destined as a peaceful lordly residence; its enduring roles were those of garrison fortress and state prison. After the 1707 Treaty of Union, Blackness ceased to be a state prison and became a minor garrison. During the wars with France between 1759 and 1815 it held prisoners of war, then in 1870 was converted to an ammunition depot. Finally in the 1920s, the castle was conserved as an ancient monument.