Wemyss Castle

Wemyss Castle is a 15th century tower with late 17th century additions and has been home to the Wemyss family since the 13th century.

In 1294 or 1295 David de Lochor was Chamberlain and he is said to have been the last of the main line of the Lochore family having two daughters who were his co-heiresses. The barony of Lochoreshire was split into the baronies of East Lochoreshire or simply Lochoreshire, annexed to the barony of East Wemyss, and of Westerlochorshire or Inchgall. The younger daughter, Agnes, married Sir Michael Wemyss of Wemyss and the eastern half of the barony went to them.

Some time between 1290 and 1296 Sir Michael’s on, Sir David Wemyss of Wemyss, granted certain lands in the barony of Lochore, including rights over Balbedie, Capildray and Strathruddie, to Annabella Sinclair, widow of Sir Robert Bisset. In another document he described himself as lord of the half lands of Sir David Lochore, late lord of Lochore.

In the 14th century the Wemyss family built MacDuff’s Castle at East Wemyss.

In 1653 David Wemyss, 2nd Earl of Wemyss, married thirdly Margaret, daughter of John Leslie, 6th Earl of Rothes, and in 1661 received confirmation of various lands including those in the barony of Lochoreshire and some in Westerlochorshire.