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A ruined castle tower rises above autumn trees on a wooded shore, calm water and a sandy beach curving in front.
Fife

Ravenscraig Castle

A great ruined castle on the shore at Kirkcaldy, begun in 1460 for Queen Mary of Gueldres and built to withstand guns.

Welcome

On a rocky promontory at the east end of Kirkcaldy, above the Firth of Forth, stand the massive ruins of Ravenscraig Castle.

It was begun in 1460 for Queen Mary of Gueldres, the widow of King James II, as a royal residence, but its royal days were short, and the castle was soon handed to the Sinclair family, who finished it.

Ravenscraig was built for a new age of warfare. Its walls are up to three and a half metres thick, and it was designed with the new gunpowder artillery in mind. Its great blunt front still looks formidable.

The castle stands at the edge of Ravenscraig Park, with the little harbour at Dysart close by along the shore. The castle is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland and opens every day, and from its rock there are wide views out over the Forth.

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Before you go

Open every day, 10am to 4pm, in Google's current record.

Where
Ravenscraig Park, Kirkcaldy, KY1 2QG.
Begun
1460.
Walls
3.5 metres thick.

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Where it is

On the shore at the east end of Kirkcaldy, in Ravenscraig Park, between Kirkcaldy and Dysart, KY1 2QG.

Close byKirkcaldy.
  1. Dysart HarbourDysart HarbourThe little harbour along the shore.Under a mile 3 min by road
  2. Small boats float in a stone harbour beneath a tall sandstone buildingThe Harbourmaster's HouseAn 18th-century house on the harbour at Dysart, home of the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, with a cafe looking over the boats.Under a mile 3 min by road
  3. Inside the farm shop at the Buffalo Farm: fridges of local beef and buffalo meat under timber beams, with jars and sauces in front.The Buffalo Farm3 miles as the crow flies
  4. The Fife Coastal Path, a railed path along a green cliff above a blue sea.Fife Coastal Path3 miles 9 min by road
  5. Sandy beach and promenade beneath Gourock's hillside, church spire rising above the seafrontBurntisland BeachA big sandy beach to the west.7 miles 17 min by road
  6. Aberdour Castle and GardensAberdour Castle and GardensAnother castle along the coast.10 miles 18 min by road
Directions
Wooden shopfront with black awning reading "Fruit & Veg Merchant" and Macauley's signage in the windowShoppingMacauley's6.6 miles
Star-shaped lanterns hang above shelves of dried flowers, clocks and ornaments in a gift shopShoppingBel & Etta6.6 miles
Sandy beach and promenade beneath Gourock's hillside, church spire rising above the seafrontAttractionsBurntisland6.7 miles
eFoiling Beneath the Forth Bridges, EdinburghActivityeFoil Scotland6.9 miles
The painted Welcome to Blacketyside Farm Shop sign over the open doors, with shelves of gifts and the counter inside.ShoppingBlacketyside Farm Shop8.6 miles
Aerial view of a coastal town's promenade and sandy shoreline curving towards distant hillsAttractionsLeven Beach9.0 miles
Inside Norah in Newhaven: a round wooden table laid for lunch under a pleated paper lamp, with the coffee machine and shelves of cups behind.RestaurantsNorah9.9 miles
The round stone watchtower on the Shore at Leith, with Fishers' blue and white restaurant front at its foot on a cobbled corner.RestaurantsFishers in Leith10 miles
The dining room at The Kitchin, with grey stone walls, dark beams and blue-green chairs at tables laid for dinner.RestaurantsThe Kitchin10 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

A hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 12 miles from Ravenscraig Castle
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 12 miles from Ravenscraig Castle
Check datesWest End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Fife
  • 12 miles from Ravenscraig Castle
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 13 miles from Ravenscraig Castle
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in FifeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Fife.

From the magazineFife: Discovering the Nooks and CranniesArticleFife's Hidden SideCollectionFamily Friendly Activities in Fife
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .