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Balcomie Castle

Balcomie Castle is a partially-ruined 16th century tower house to which is now attached an 18th century farmhouse.

Towards the end of the 16th century an attempt was made to settle the Western Isles with people from Fife loyal to the Crown. The islands were considered to be a wild and untamed part of the Scottish kingdom at this time, an almost lawless fiefdom of the MacLeods of Lewis. In order to reassert the King’s control over the islands an Act of Parliament was passed in 1597 requiring chiefs to present their titles to the Lords of the Exchequer on Whitsunday in 1598 and to provide security for any rents owed to the Crown. When the chiefs of Lewis, Harris, Dunvegan and Glenelg failed to produce their titles their estates were declared forfeited.

Lewis was granted to a company of adventurers from Fife which included Sir James Anstruther, younger, of Anstruther, Sir Patrick Leslie, Commendator of Lindores, Sir William Stewart, Commendator of Pittenweem, James Learmonth, younger, of Balcomie and James Spence of Wormiston, led by Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox, who was later involved in the Plantation of Ulster and the colonisation of New England. They set out for Lewis in October 1599 on an ill-fated expedition to colonise the island hampered by the weather, disease and conflict with the MacLeods.

In the 18th century Balcomie passed to the Scotts of Scotstarvit. David Scott of Scotstarvit and Balcomie died without issue by 1785 and was succeeded by his brother, General John Scott. The General had three daughters with Margaret Dundas, daughter of Robert Dundas of Arniston, and upon his death in 1775 his Fife estates passed to the eldest, Henrietta.

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Alternative names for Balcomie Castle

Balcolmie; Balcolmy

Surnames associated with Balcomie Castle

Scott

Where is Balcomie Castle?

Balcomie Castle is in the parish of Crail and the county of Fife.

Grid reference: NO 62482 09851

Lat / long: 56.27963200, -2.60752150

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OS Map for Balcomie Castle

OS map 371
St Andrews & East Fife (Cupar, Anstruther & Crail)
OS Explorer map 371


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Directions to Balcomie Castle

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Weather at Balcomie Castle

10°C
max 10°C / min 10°C
20km/h ENE
1029mb
78%
6%
03:57 20:15

Clear sky
Weather observed at Anstruther at 18:17

References (books)

History of the County of Fife, Volume 3
John M Leighton
Glasgow, 1840
The Castles of Scotland
Martin Coventry
Prestongrange, 2015

References (websites)

Listed Building record
Canmore
Balcomie Castle Farmhouse

Castles near Balcomie Castle

Randolphstoun Castle (site of)

1.3km away

Wormistoune House

1.4km away

Randerston House

1.9km away

Crail Castle

2.6km away

Cambo (site of)

2.7km away

Newhall Tower (site of)

2.7km away

East Barns (possible) (site of)

3.2km away

Kingsbarns Castle (site of)

3.8km away

West Barns (site of)

4.0km away
more castles....

Ancient sites near Balcomie Castle

Drumcarrow Craig broch

16.8km away

Lundin Links stone circle

23.0km away

St Baldred's Cave cave

25.4km away

Kilmany cursus

26.0km away

North Berwick Law fort

26.5km away

Woodhill cursus

27.0km away

Ardestie souterrain and rock art

27.5km away

Laws Hill broch and fort

28.3km away

Preston Mains cursus

31.9km away
more ancient sites....
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Pictish stones near Balcomie Castle

Crail Class III cross-slab

2.2km away

The Coves, Caiplie Class I symbols

4.7km away

Abercrombie 1 Class III cross slab

12.1km away

Abercrombie 2 Class III cross slab

12.1km away

Abercrombie 3 Class III cross slab

12.1km away

Abercrombie 4 Class III cross slab

12.1km away

Largo Class II cross slab

21.1km away

Scoonie Class II cross slab

25.3km away

Monifieth 1 Class II cross slab

25.9km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Balcomie Castle

Norrie's Law hoard

21.6km away

Traprain Law silver chain

35.2km away

Haddington silver chain

37.9km away

Hoardweel silver chain

52.4km away

Whitlaw silver chain

63.2km away

Dunnicaer fort

79.1km away

Borland silver chain

84.6km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

86.5km away

Nigg silver chain

98.0km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near Balcomie Castle

Balcomie Links Hotel
hotelCrail
1.9km away
Fairmont St Andrews
hotel, restaurant, barSt Andrews
8.9km away
Symphony Craw's Nest Hotel and Restaurant
hotel, restaurant, barAnstruther
9.1km away
The Old Station Country Guest House
bed and breakfastSt Andrews
9.9km away
Albany Hotel, St Andrews
hotelSt Andrews
13.3km away
Five Pilmour Place
hotelSt Andrews
13.6km away
West Port Bar & Kitchen
hotel, restaurant, pubSt Andrews
13.6km away
St Andrews Tourist Hostel
hostelSt Andrews
13.6km away
Greyfriars Hotel
hotelSt Andrews
13.7km away
St Andrews Golf Hotel
hotel, restaurantSt Andrews
13.8km away

Accommodation search

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campsites
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holiday parks
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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near Balcomie Castle

Fairmont St Andrews
hotel, restaurant, barSt Andrews
8.9km away
Symphony Craw's Nest Hotel and Restaurant
hotel, restaurant, barAnstruther
9.1km away
Northpoint Café
caféSt Andrews
13.2km away
Zizzi St Andrews
café, restaurantSt Andrews
13.3km away
West Port Bar & Kitchen
hotel, restaurant, pubSt Andrews
13.6km away
St Andrews Golf Hotel
hotel, restaurantSt Andrews
13.8km away
Best Western Scores Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barSt Andrews
13.9km away
Macdonald Rusacks Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barSt Andrews
14.0km away
Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa
hotel, restaurant, barSt Andrews
14.5km away
Kilconquhar Castle Estate
hotel, restaurant, self-catering cottagesElie
14.9km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Dunbar harbour and castle
Published on the 18th of January 2012 at 10:41 pm. Updated on the 18th of May 2021 at 7:04 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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