UK Travel Guide

Castles

Balgonie Castle

Description: Balgonie castle can be found in the centre of Fife, it is classed as one of the finest 14th century towers in Scotland. It was probably built by Sir Thomas Sibbald of Balgonie, Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. There is a massive tower house which has been added to over the centuries, until 1702 with the construction of the final wing by the 3rd Earl of Leven. He founded the King's Own Scottish Borderers in 1689, and was the first Governor of the Bank of Scotland. The 1st Earl of Leven and Lord Balgonie, was the most famous Laird of Balgonie, also known as Sir Alexander Leslie, he was Field Marshall to the Swedish Crown, serving in the first twenty years of the Thirty Years War. When he returned to Scotland, Leslie was appointed Lord General of the Scottish Army of the Covenant during the English Civil War. King James IV visited on the 20th of August 1496, as did Mary Queen of Scots in 1565. In January 1916, Rob Roy MacGregor garrisoned Balgonie, with 200 clansmen and 20 Hanovarian Prisoners.
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Notes: Visitors are welcomed all year round 10am to 5pm (except during weddings!). The Laird is happy to give personal tours.