Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Kellie Castle

Kellie Castle is located in the region of Fife next to the beautiful town of Pittenweem.  The Castle dates back to the 14th Century and was sold to the National Trust for Scotland in 1970 by previous owner Huw Lorimer. In addition to the Castle, there is 6.5 acres of land, a walled garden, various woodland walks, a shop, and the ever pleasing sight of a tea room.  

Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle
The Castle is in excellent repair and new for the 2015 season is the restored studio of family member, John Henry Lorimer.  Lorimer has works on display within the Castle itself, as well as The National Gallery of Scotland, and Musee D'Orsay in Paris.  Not too shabby.    

The Castle has many well preserved rooms and each houses an excellent guide/volunteer who can tell you all about the impressive plaster ceilings, tapestries, as well as the Lorimer family history.   Out with the Castle lies the walled garden, which is worth a visit in its own right and comes with a free audio guide to educate you on its history.   It's a lovely, relaxed way to get some exercise and check out the flowers, shrubs and borders.  If the Castle, gardens and tea room aren't enough to keep you occupied, there is a series of woodland walks on the land that will burn off any calories you took in when you failed to resist the home baked cakes and scones that are so temptingly laid out in the cafe.

The Gardens and Estate are open all year round, from 9am until dusk.   The Castle has seasonal opening times, which are: Thursday-Monday, 12pm-5pm from April 1st to May 31st; 10:30am-5pm from June 1st to August 31st; and 12pm-5pm from September 1st to October 31st (closing at 4pm throughout October).  It is a little pricey, with a full price adult ticket costing £11.50 (non members).   However, you can, realistically, spend a good few hours between the Castle and the grounds.    

Photography is not permitted within the Castle, so the shots were taken around the grounds. 

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