As well as ornate interior design, the castle has a lot to discover. The castle's stables are now home to sculptures by Scottish artist Hew Lorimer, and the Victorian garden, inspired heavily by the Arts and Crafts movement, blends rose beds and flower planting with edible plants and vegetable gardens. The castle often has garden tours for horticulture fans to learn more.
Deeper in the garden is a bird hide, where visitors can peacefully watch the local wildlife. Deer often make their way into the garden, and rabbits and foxes can be seen on the grounds. The artworks within Kellie Castle’s walls are worth visiting alone, and many of its rooms are decorated in a much more homely and comfortable manner than you’d imagine a grand castle to be.
The castle is only open to visitors on guided tours to preserve and protect the many antiques and artworks.
A tearoom and shop on the castle estate provide bathroom facilities and refreshments.
Pre-booking for tours isn’t necessary—just book your tickets on arrival.
The weather in Fife is notoriously changeable—wear layers and take an umbrella.
Kellie Castle is not far from Pittenweem and Anstruther using the B9171. A public bus is provided that takes you directly to the castle, but this must be pre-booked—more information is provided by the National Trust for Scotland. It takes around one and a half hours to take the scenic drive from Edinburgh along the Perth coast.
The castle, tearoom, and shop are all closed on Tuesdays. During the winter season of Oct. 31–March 31, the castle is closed to visitors. During the summer, opening times are from 11am until 4pm, with guided tours of the castle's interior taking place on the hour, every hour. The estate itself is open daily from dawn until dusk throughout the year.
Kellie Castle is situated along the Fife coast called the East Neuk. This region has sleepy fishing towns, coastal walks, and scenic rolling countryside dotted with picturesque villages and market towns. Ideal for golfers and hikers with its local links courses and coastal trails, there are also many places for foodies to enjoy, thanks to the fresh local seafood and artisanal shops, especially in Anstruther and Pittenweem.
