View from north east

Description View from north east

Date c. 1890

Collection Papers of Erskine Beveridge, antiquarian, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 740599

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of F 2008

Scope and Content Kellie Castle, Fife, from the north-east (now under the National Trust for Scotland) Kellie Castle, one of the finest tower-houses in Scotland, stands under the shelter of Kellie Law north of St Monans looking southwards across the estuary of the Firth of Forth. The building, which dates from the early 16th century, was photographed c.1890 by the Scottish photographer, Erskine Beveridge. The castle, built of coursed rubble, was designed on a T-plan, with the cross arms of the T constructed as north- and south-facing towers. The north tower (right) dates from the early 16th century, and was built on an existing 14th-century tower attached to a walled enclosure (barmkin). It is connected to a third tower, the east tower (left) added in 1573, by a main block (centre), running east and west, built in 1606. At the same time, the towers were increased in height and rebuilt with crowstepped gables and turrets projecting from the angles. The estate was held in the 11th century by the Saxon family of Siward. The barony of Kellie passed from the Siwards to the Oliphants in 1361, and the oldest part of the castle, the original north tower, is thought to date from about this time. The castle was given its present form between 1573 and 1606 when the original 14th-century tower-house was developed into the T-shaped building. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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