MacDuff Castle

This is MacDuff Castle in East Wemyss, Fife, Scotland.

On an anniversary trip to Fife, after dragging my husband up Largo Law, I thought I'd find something a bit less taxing. I noticed on my OS Map a ruinous castle in East Wemyss, so we decided to check it out.

The castle was built by the Wemyss family in the 14th Century, probably replacing an earlier structure built by the MacDuff's (remember them from your Macbeth lessons?). The castle originally comprised of a four storey tower.

The Wemyss family are descendants of the MacDuff's, the Mormaers/Earl's of Fife from the middle ages.

Apparently, Edward I paid a visit here in 1304, staying with Sir Michael Wemyss, however, the friendship was short-lived as Wemyss later joined forces with Robert the Bruce, and Edward ordered the castle to be destroyed.

After the destruction of the castle, the Wemyss family moved to nearby Wemyss Castle and MacDuff Castle was passed to the Livingstones.

In 1530 it was taken over by the Colvilles who built a second five storey tower and enclosed the courtyard with a gatehouse. In 1637 the castle was bought by Sir John Wemyss of West Wemyss.

Unfortunately, a 16th century dovecote was destroyed by sea erosion in the 1970s, a shame, I would have liked to have seen it.

The Wemyss family lived in the castle until the 16th century and the castle still remains the property of the Wemyss Estate.

Unfortunately, the eastern tower was demolished in 1967 after a child was injured falling from it.

The castle sits just above a beautiful beach and some interesting caves. Both are well worth a visit and can be combined with a visit to MacDuff Castle on our East Wemyss Walk.

The castle is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

It is only 0.2km from the cemetery car park to MacDuff Castle.

Follow above route, or find on OS Maps.