Kilconquhar Castle

The remains of Kilconquhar Castle were built into a baronial mansion house, but the interior and much of the historic fabric of the castle were destroyed in a fire in the 1970s leading to a partial demolition. What survives is unrecognisable as such and built into a members-only leisure complex. It cannot be seen from any public road and is not open to the public.

The lands were held by the earls of Fife from the Bishops of St Andrews originally, but had passed to the Dunbar family by the 15th century, perhaps by marriage as it was not forfeited with the earldom in 1435. It may also have been held by the earl’s grandson, known as Patrick of Kilconquhar in 1457. The tower was consistent with a mid to late 16th century date, and may therefore have been built by the last Dunbar, who died in 1564, or his (probable) son-in-law John Bellenden, whose descendants held Kilconquhar until 1634. The Carstairs family purchased the estate, and held it until 1722, then a family of Beatons until 1764, and finally the Lindsay family, who retain the estate today.

HES Canmore database entry

Official Kilconquhar Castle website

East Neuk Estates website