Scottish Castles

Local information

Balgonie Castle, Fife

Location: Markinch, Glenrothes, KY7 6HQ (map and directions)

A semi-ruined structure on the south bank of the River Leven, Balgonie Castle sits near Milton of Balgonie, 3.5km east of Glenrothes. Balgonie was built for Sir Thomas Sibbald of Balgonie around 1360. The original keep dates from this era, but the remaining structures were built in the 18th century. This includes a well-preserved guardroom and prison which can be seen within in the castle. Balgonie Castle is an imposing 75-foot sandstone structure arranged around a courtyard with a well in the middle and has the oldest tower still standing in tact in the Kingdom of Fife.

Balgonie Castle © David Johnston

History of Balgonie Castle

The castle passed to Sir Robert Lundin in 1496, and stayed in the family until 1624 when Balgonie was sold to two Boswell brothers who then sold the castle in 1635 to the First Earl of Leven, Sir Alexander Leslie. It was at this time that heavy refurbishments were undertaken, including a two-storey building, a northern range, a watchtower and a park.

Balgonie was inherited along the lines of the Earls of Leven, until the 8th Earl of Leven sold the castle in 1824 to Sir James Balfour, who did not maintain the castle well. David Maxwell purchased the castle in 1971, restored it, and sold it to Laird Raymond Morris who still owns Balgonie and makes it available as a wedding location complete with a little chapel and the Great Hall for dining and entertaining.

Map and directions

Other castles in Fife