Dunfermline Abbey and Palace

St. Margaret St, Dunfermline, Fife
Tel: 01383 739026

Benedictine priory founded by Queen Margaret in 1070's. Elevated to abbey status by David I in 1128. Substantial remains of church, domestic buildings and palace. The western part of the building is the nave of the Abbey church, and the eastern end is the parish kirk. Favorite place for burial of Scottish royalty, including Malcolm Canmore, Queen Margaret and Robert the Bruce-a commemorative brass is found on the floor of the abbey. Adjacent royal palace was the former guesthouse of the abbey. James VI gave the palace to his wife, Anne of Denmark. Historic Scotland.

Balgonie Castle

Balgonie Castle, by Markinch, Fife, KY7 6HQ
Tel: 01592 750119    Fax: 01592 753103
E-mail: sbalgonie@yahoo.co.uk
Web: website

The 14th century Balgonie Castle, situated in the heart of the Kingdom of Fife and perched above the winding River Leven - home of the Laird, Lady and Younger of Balgonie and Eddergoll. In recent years Balgonie Castle has been undergoing a slow but detailed restoration to return it to its former glory, with great effort being made to preserve its unique atmosphere. Since the restoration of the Chapel in 1989, the Castle has become accepted as one of the most romantic wedding venues in Scotland and a public service is held in the Chapel on the third Sunday of each month. The Castle is also licensed for Civil Weddings.

Ravenscraig Castle

Kirkcaldy
Tel: 01316 688660

On the eastern outskirts of Kirkcaldy, off the A955 Dysart Road amidst hundreds of acres of parkland and coast, stands Ravenscraig castle. Originating in the 15th century, the castle has been much altered but was one of the first castles in Scotland built to withstand and return artillery fire. There are two round towers linked by a cross range. The west tower was the residence of James II’s widow, Queen Mary of Gueldres. Limited access.
Historic Scotland

Kellie Castle & Garden

Pittenweem, Fife, KY10 2RF.
Tel: 01333 720271    Fax: 01333) 3301 132.

Completed in the early 17th Century Kellie Castle was once home to the Earls of Kellie. The oldest tower dates back to 1360 and is said to be haunted! Having been restored by the Lorimer family in 1878, the castle today has magnificent plaster ceilings and panelling, and furniture designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.

Visit Hew Lorimer’s sculpture studio. Stroll in the magical Arts & Crafts garden and enjoy the scent of old roses and the beautiful herbaceous borders.
National Trust for Scotland

Aberdour Castle and Walled Garden

Aberdour, Fife
Tel: 01383 860519    
 

Built in the 14th Century, Aberdour Castle, near Aberdour in Fife on the Firth of Forth, was in Douglas ownership from 1342 until it passed into state care in 1924. It comprises three distinct parts and its grounds include a 16th century beehive-shaped dovecote, 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. Open all year. Café open during the summer and weekends throughout the winter.
Historic Scotland

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Culross Abbey

Culross, Fife
Tel: Culross Palace 01383 880 359 for details.    

In Culross, Fife on the Firth of Forth, off A985.
Remains of Cistercian monastery founded in 1217. Ruins of nave, cellars and domestic buildings. Abbey Church forms part of the present parish church. Historic Scotland.

Inchcolm Abbey

Inchcolm Island, Firth of Forth

The abbey stands on Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth and is reached by ferry from South Queensferry (30 minutes), Tel: 0131 331 4857 and from North Queensferry (weather permitting), Tel: 0131 554 6881.

Founded in 1192 by Alexander I. The island is also famed for its seals, wildlife and coastal defences from two world wars. Winter: closed. Historic Scotland

St Athernase Church,

Leuchars
Tel: 08452 255121

Leuchars Parish Church was built in 1187 and was dedicated to St Athernase in 1244. Standing on what was dry land in a sea of marsh, the original choir and apse can still be seen in the church today. Excellent example of Norman architecture.
 

Robert de Quinci, who built the church, also built the original Leuchars Castle on Castle Knowe, half a mile to the north. This has long gone as have its two successors built in the 14th and 16th centuries.

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Falkland Palace

Falkland, Cupar, Fife, KY15 7BU
Tel: 01337 857397    Fax: 01337 857980

Built on the site of an earlier fortress that dates back to the 13th century, Falkland Palace was a country retreat of the Stuart Kings. The castle belonged to the MacDuffs, Earls of Fife, and the remains of its Great Tower are still visible in the gardens. It was adopted as a Royal residence by James II in the mid 15th century and work began to convert it into a more comfortable property.

Mary, Queen of Scots spent some of the happiest days of her life here. The Stuarts used Falkland as a lodge when hunting deer and wild boar in the forests of Fife. Portraits of the Stuart kings and queens hang in the palace and you can get a flavour of palace life when you enter the King’s Bedchamber and the Queen’s Room, both restored by the National Trust for Scotland.

Garden enthusiasts will appreciate the colourful herbaceous borders, lush green lawns and many unusual shrubs and trees.

Here you will also find the Royal Tennis Court, built in 1539, Britain’s oldest tennis court, which today is home to a flourishing local royal tennis club. Learn more about this fascinating corner of history from the dedicated exhibition.
National Trust for Scotland

Cambo Estate Gardens

Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns, St. Andrews, KY16 8QD
Tel: 01333 450054   Fax: 01333 450987
E-mail: cambo@camboestate.com
See our website

Victorian walled garden supplying the house with fruit, flowers and vegetables. Designed around the Cambo burn, the garden has willow, waterfall and wrought-iron bridges.
Spring brings snowdrops, massed spring bulbs, a lilac walk, herbaceous borders, 250 named roses in summer, colchicum meadow and September borders lovely in autumn.

Hill of Tarvit Mansion House & Garden

Cupar, Fife KY15 5PB.
Tel/Fax: 01334 653127
E-mail: hilloftarvit@nts.org.uk

Early 20th-century family house was remodelled in 1906 around Mr F B Sharp’s collection of French and Chippendale-style furniture, porcelain and paintings by the Scottish architect Sir Robert Lorimer, who also designed the gardens. There are formal lawns, flowering borders and a sunken rose garden.
National Trust for Scotland

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