Piteadie Castle

Piteadie Castle (Pitteadie) is a late medieval tower house in Fife, Scotland, near Kinghorn and a few miles from Burntisland. Today it is a ruin, protected as a scheduled monument and standing on private land.

What kind of building is it?

The name appears in several spellings, including Piteadie and Pitteadie. Scottish heritage records describe it as the remains of a late medieval tower house.

The castle was built towards the end of the 15th century as a free-standing rubble tower on an oblong plan, measuring about 33.5 by 27.5 feet. Around two centuries later it was considerably altered. Historic Environment Scotland protects the ruin as a late medieval tower house.

Who built it and who lived here?

The first phase of construction is credited to the Vallance family, who took over the estate from earlier landowners of the 14th and 15th centuries. The lands later passed to the Sandilands and then to the Boswells, who carried out the 17th-century alterations. By 1686 the owner was an Edinburgh apothecary, William Calderwood. An arched gateway survives with a pediment carved with his initials, coat of arms and a date. Later owners belonged to the Earl of Rosslyn's estate.

What condition is it in today?

The surviving walls still show the layout of the rectangular tower, and the 17th-century arched gateway remains the most distinctive feature of the site.

The tower is in poor condition, and its upper works have been described as dangerous. A modern house stands beside it, and the whole estate is in private hands. The castle features in Nigel Tranter's novel The Lion's Whelp, which is set here.

Can you visit Piteadie Castle?

Because the land is private and the ruin is unsafe, there are no organised visits. For enthusiasts of Scottish tower houses it remains an interesting example of a building that evolved from a defensive tower into a 17th-century residence.

When to go and what else to see?

Combine Piteadie Castle with a trip along the Fife coast. Burntisland and Kinghorn sit on the Firth of Forth and make a good base for a full day out.

Frequently asked questions

When does the castle date from?

From the late 15th century, with considerable alterations about two hundred years later.

Can you explore the ruin?

No. The land is private and the upper parts of the tower are dangerous.

Who made the 17th-century changes?

The Boswells. In 1686 the owner was William Calderwood, whose initials appear on the gateway.

Does the castle appear in literature?

Yes, in Nigel Tranter's novel The Lion's Whelp.