Loch Leven Castle, Kinross - Wee Guides to Scotland castles and mansions

Wee Guides to Scotland
Loch Leven Castle, Kinross

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

Standing on an island in a picturesque loch, Lochleven Castle consists of a small ruinous 15th-century keep, rectangular in plan, standing at one corner of a 14th-century courtyard. The castle used to occupy most of the island, but the level of the loch has been lowered. Lochleven was a royal castle from 1257, and was stormed by William Wallace after being captured by the English. The English besieged the castle in 1301, but it was relieved by Sir John Comyn before it could be captured. It was visited by Robert the Bruce. The castle was held again against Edward Balliol and the English in 1335. By the end of the 14th century, it had passed to the Douglases of Lochleven. Mary, Queen of Scots, was held here from 1567 until she escaped in 1568, during which time she signed her abdication - her ghost is said to haunt the castle. Lochleven passed to the Bruces, then the Grahams, and the Montgomerys, and was taken into State care in 1939.

Directions:	Off B996, 1 mile E of Kinross, Perth & Kinross.
Ownership:	HS	01786 450000 or 01388 040483	Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NO 138018 58
Open:	April to September - includes boat trip from Kinross.
Key:	P S WC £	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

Fax:+44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk