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Elcho Castle

The present Elcho Castle was begun around 1560 by the Wemyss family, in whose possession the castle remains to this day.

Built on a Z-plan, it consists of a massive central rectangular block rising to four storeys, attached to which are an assortment of round and square towers. On the ground floor is the kitchen and vaulted storerooms, while a wide sweeping stone staircase gives access to the first floor, where the main hall is located.

Next to the main hall is a bedroom, and in these two rooms are remnants of ornate 16th century plasterwork.

Above the main hall are a further two storeys, divided by a wooden floor of which only the beams remain.

The Wemyss family lived mainly at Wemyss Castle in Fife, so this was effectively a house in the country for the laird and his family. However it was built during turbulent times, so as well as the fine details there is clear evidence that it was built to be defended.

At ground level there are 17 gun-loops, several of them covering the only door into the castle. On the roof is a walkway and guard towers.

The castle occupies a fine defensive position on a rocky outcrop on the banks of the River Tay. At the river side of the castle this rock was quarried away to provide stone for the castle, at the same time creating a rocky cliff face.

At the front of the castle there was originally a barmkin, of which little remains. A round tower still stands, marking the south-east extent of the courtyard, and a low section of walling remains to the south-west.

The 16th century Elcho Castle is thought to have been built on the site of an earlier structure. The Wemyss family had links to the plot at least as far back as 1429, and possibly earlier. In his 15th century writings Blind Harry mentions that William Wallace stayed in the tower of Elchoch in the 13th century.

The land was granted to the Wemyss family by James III in 1468. In 1628 John Wemyss was made Lord Wemyss of Elcho, followed in 1633 with the title Lord Elcho and Methel and Earl of Wemyss. David Wemyss, the 6th Earl of Wemyss, fought on the Jacobite side at the Battle of Culloden and escaped to France, and Elcho Castle was neglected.

By the late 18th century Elcho Castle was falling into disrepair, and the family’s main residence was Gosford House in East Lothian. However the 8th Earl of Wemyss, Francis Wemyss Charteris Douglas, re-roofed and re-glazed the castle in 1830 to protect it for the future, and in 1929 the 11th Earl of Wemyss, Hugo Richard Charteris, placed it in state care (although the Wemyss family retain ownership).

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Alternative names for Elcho Castle

Elchoch; Elchok; Elthok

Where is Elcho Castle?

Elcho Castle is in the parish of Rhynd and the county of Perthshire.

Grid reference: NO 16438 21083

Lat / long: 56.374647, -3.354591

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Elcho Castle

Perth & Kinross (Ochil Hills East & Loch Leven)
OS Explorer map 369


Glenrothes North, Falkland & Lomond Hills (Auchtermuchty & Cupar)
OS Explorer map 370


Dundee & Sidlaw Hills
OS Explorer map 380


Directions to Elcho Castle

Enter a starting point

Weather at Elcho Castle

5°C
max 6°C / min 4°C
39km/h WSW
978mb
93%
40%
08:32 15:37

Light rain
Weather observed at Glencarse at 13:53

References (websites)

Listed Building record
Canmore
Historic Environment Scotland
Wikipedia

Castles near Elcho Castle

Kinfauns Castle

2.1km away

Balthayock Castle

2.1km away

Moredun Hall

2.6km away

Pitfour Castle (site of)

2.7km away

Kinnoull Castle (site of)

4.4km away

Polkmyl House (site of)

4.9km away

Glendoick House

5.0km away

Perth Castle (site of)

5.3km away

Balmanno Castle

5.9km away
more castles....

Ancient sites near Elcho Castle

Licher-Stanes stone circle

5.0km away

Abernethy Den stone circle

5.5km away

Blairhall cursus

8.4km away

Jackschairs fort

10.1km away

Bandirran (west) stone circle

10.8km away

Bandirran (east) stone circle

10.9km away

Bandirran stone circle

11.1km away

Abbots Deuglie stone circle

11.4km away

Dunsinnan Hill fort

11.7km away
more ancient sites....

Pictish stones near Elcho Castle

Abernethy No. 3 Class III cross-slab

5.3km away

Abernethy No. 5 Class III cross shaft

5.3km away

Abernethy No. 1 Class I symbol stone

5.3km away

Carpow Class III cross-slab

5.3km away

Abernethy No. 8 Class III cross shaft

5.4km away

Mugdrum Cross Class III cross

6.7km away

Lindores Stone Class I symbol stone

9.6km away

Dupplin Cross Class III cross

11.5km away

Strathmiglo Class I symbol stone

11.8km away
more Pictish stones....

Pictish sites near Elcho Castle

Norrie's Law hoard

28.0km away

Haddington silver chain

58.9km away

Traprain Law silver chain

62.1km away

Borland silver chain

75.6km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

76.4km away

Whitlaw silver chain

80.3km away

Hoardweel silver chain

86.9km away

Dunnicaer fort

96.1km away

Whitecleugh silver chain

107.0km away
more Pictish sites....
  • Sixt Car Rental

Accommodation near Elcho Castle

River Edge Lodges
self-catering lodgesBridge of Earn
4.2km away
Sunbank House Hotel
hotelPerth
4.4km away
Bronton Cottage B&B
bed and breakfastBridge of Earn
4.4km away
Stable Flat
self-catering cottagePerth
4.9km away
Salutation Hotel
hotelPerth
5.0km away
Murrayshall House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barScone
5.1km away
Acer Guesthouse
bed and breakfastPerth
5.2km away
Adam Guest House
bed and breakfastPerth
5.3km away
Parklands Hotel
hotelPerth
5.4km away
New County Hotel, Perth
hotelPerth
5.5km away

Accommodation search

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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near Elcho Castle

Breizh
restaurant, caféPerth
5.1km away
Murrayshall House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barScone
5.1km away
Best Western Queens Hotel & Leisure Club
hotel, restaurant, barPerth
5.5km away
The Famous Bein Inn
hotel, restaurant, barAberargie
8.0km away
Holiday Inn Express Perth
hotel, barPerth
8.3km away
Huntingtower Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barAlmondbank
10.1km away
Luigino's
hotel, restaurantFalkland
16.3km away
The Covenanter Hotel
hotel, restaurant, bar, caféFalkland
16.3km away
Fernie Castle Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barLetham
16.4km away
Windlestrae Hotel and Leisure Club
hotel, restaurant, barMilnathort
18.8km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Climbing Calton Hill in Edinburgh
Published on the 14th of May 2010 at 1:59 pm. Updated on the 22nd of July 2016 at 10:09 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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