Ravenscraig Castle

This is Ravenscraig Castle near Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. After a long day exploring Fife, I couldn't resist a quick final stop to visit Ravenscraig Castle.

From the car park, take the south west path which takes you directly to the castle, there are also signposts to guide you.

Ravenscraig Castle is one of Scotland's earliest artillery defence castles, built to withstand cannon fire. It was originally commissioned by King James II after acquiring the land in 1460.

James began work to construct a residence for his wife, Queen Mary of Gueldres. But sadly, within five months of starting the construction, James was killed by one of his own guns in Roxburgh.

Mary pressed on with the castle's construction, but unfortunately died herself in 1463 and never saw the completed castle.

Their son James III, granted the unfinished castle to William Sinclair in 1470.

It was the Sinclairs who transformed it into the fortress for which it is renowned. The entrance passage was approached by a bridge over the deep ditch which you can still see today. Inside the entrance was a guardroom and cellars.

The west tower housed the main four storey accommodation. The three storey east tower housed the well and apartments for the senior officials and the courtyard contained a kitchen, bakehouse and offices.

The two towers were 4.25m thick, hence designed to withstand cannon fire. Battlements between the towers formed an artillery platform with gun holes pointing inland.

The two towers were 4.25m thick, hence designed to withstand cannon fire. Battlements between the towers formed an artillery platform with gun holes pointing inland.

During a 1650/51 attack led by Oliver Cromwell, the castle was invaded and sustained damage.

The castle remained in the ownership of the Sinclairs, later passing to the St Clair-Erskine (Earl of Rosslyn).

Ravenscraig is the setting for Sir Walter Scott's ballad Rosabelle.

The ballad tells of the daughter of St. Clair (Sinclair), who insists despite dire warnings on setting out by boat from Ravenscraig across the Firth of Forth, to attend a ball at Roslin Castle. Rosabelle knows a certain 'Lord Lindesay's heir' will be there. That night an eerie light illuminates Roslin Castle and the nearby chapel, whilst Rosabelle herself drowns.

The estate and castle remained in the family until sold in 1896, by the 5th Earl of Rosslyn, to linoleum magnate Sir Michael Nairn.

The castle was later used as an ammunition depot during the First World War.

In 1929, part of the estate, including the castle, was given to the town of Kirkcaldy by the Nairn family as a public park.

Then in 1955 the Castle was passed into state care and is now managed by Historic Environment Scotland, and is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

After a busy, fun filled day in Fife, it's time for us to find somewhere for an anniversary meal and reflect on what a beautiful and interesting area Fife has proven to be.

This route is less than 0.5km.

Follow the above route, or Find on OS Maps.