Aberdour Castle And Garden, KY3 0SL

Built by Sir Alan Mortimer, Aberdour Castle in Fife, Scotland dates from around 1200, making it one of the two oldest standing castles in Scotland, along with Castle Sween in Argyll, which was built at roughly the same time.

The earliest part of Aberdour castle was a modest hall house, on a site overlooking the Dour Burn. Over the next 400 years, the castle was successively expanded in line with contemporary architectural ideas. The house became a tower house in the 15th century, and was further extended twice in the 16th century. The final addition was made around 1635. The castle was complemented by a walled garden to the east and terraced gardens to the south. which form one of the oldest gardens in Scotland, and offer beautiful views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh.

A fire in the castle in the late 17th century was followed by some repairs, but in 1725 the family purchased nearby Aberdour House, and the medieval castle was allowed to fall into decay. Today, only the 17th-century wing remains roofed, while the tower has mostly collapsed. Aberdour Castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland, and is open to the public all year.

Opening Times

Summer
1 April - 30 September
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun,
9.30am - 5.30pm

October
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun,
9.30am - 4.30pm

Winter (Nov-Mar)
1 November - 31 March ,
Mon Tue Wed Sat Sun,
9.30am - 4.30pm

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