|
Balgonie Castle
Photograph by David Johnston . Some rights reserved. (view image details)
|
Balgonie Castle. A 15th-century tower house on the south bank of the River Leven.
Photograph by Paul McIlroy. Some rights reserved. (view image details)
|
Click the [+] button a few times to zoom in on the Google Satellite image of the castle. (This works great in areas where Google has high resolution satellite images.)
If you want a street map, click on the [Map] button at the top of the map.
|
|
|
BALGONIE CASTLE FACTS
|
Location
near Markinch, Fife
Description
Balgonie Castle is situated on the south bank of the River Leven near Milton of Balgonie, 2.5 miles east of Glenrothes, Fife. The original keep was built in the 14th century, and other structures were added until the 18th century. The tower has been recently restored, but other parts of the castle are ruins.The Tower is approximately 75 feet to the parapets with walls 10 feet thick at the base. The Great Hall is in original condition. The castle courtyard is surrounded by a defensive wall that was over 20 feet high.
Since the restoration of the Chapel in 1989, the Castle has been used as a wedding venue.The Castle is licenced for Civil Weddings. The Great Hall is used for weddings, banquets and receptions, corporate events and parties.
Architecture
originally a Tower house
History
The sandstone Tower was built in the 14th century for Sir Thomas Sibbald of Balgonie. A North Range was built in 1496 for Sir Robert Lundin of Balgonie with a defensive 10 foot gap between it and the Tower. There is a chapel on the ground floor. The gap between the Tower and Hall House was filled in by a Tower in 1666. Balgonie fell into disrepair in the late 19th century, and the roofs were removed.The castle was vandalised in the 1960s. Raymond Morris of Balgonie & Eddergoll bought the castle in 1985, and is restoring it back to its original condition.
Date
14th century
Notable Residents
Famous visitors to Balgonie Castle include Daniel Defoe, Dr Benjamin Rush (signatory of the American Declaration of Independence), James Boswell and Dr Johnson.
Links
Balgonie Castle
Other Castles in the Area
Aberdour Castle
Balhousie Castle
Ballinbreich Castle
Balvaird Castle
Blackness Castle
Broughty Castle
Burleigh Castle
Claypotts Castle
Craigmillar Castle
Dairsie Castle
Dirleton Castle
|
|
