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Visiting Elcho Castle
Elcho Castle was the country home of a prominent Scottish family in the 1500s. Often overlooked by travelers due to its relatively remote location and lack of historical battles, this well-preserved mansion offers insight into the luxurious lifestyle of 16th-century Scotland’s upper class.
Parking
Parking and entering the castle grounds is free and does not require a reservation.
Price
Tickets to tour the castle are about five pounds per adult and three pounds per child.
Opening
Elcho Castle is typically open to tour from 1 April to 30 September. The castle is open from 10 am to 4 pm daily, with a midday closure for lunch.
Please note: The site is subject to unforeseen closures due to weather conditions, so be sure to call ahead or check the Historic Environment Scotland’s website for updates.
Location & Access
Elcho Castle is at the end of a country road southeast of Perth and just south of the River Tay. It is about a ten-minute drive from downtown Perth.
Know Before You Go
- The grounds include an apple orchard and tables, making it ideal for a picnic lunch if your visit coincides with mealtime.
- It’s important to remember that the toilet at Elcho Castle has many staircases without handrails and is not wheelchair accessible - it may be difficult for any guest with limited mobility to access.
- The morning of your visit, check the Historic Scotland website or Twitter page to ensure that Elcho Castle is open that day, as unscheduled closures due to weather are not uncommon.
- The toilet is located at the bottom of a steep hill and is not adapted for accessibility. The nearest accessible toilet can be found at the Tesco in Perth, about three miles away.
Places To Stay Nearby
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The Hazeldene Guest House
A 4-star Victorian style villa within walking distance from the main attractions of downtown Perth.
The Royal George Hotel
Located right on the River Tay and is just outside Perth’s main shopping district.
The Tower View Coach Houses
Perfect for those who wish to stay outside the city. These 19th-century cottages offer secluded, scenic lodging.
History of Elcho Castle
Elcho Castle’s history dates to the mid-1500s when it was built by the Wemyss family. It serves as an example of the shift of castles as fortifications to luxury homes. The Wemyss family used the castle as a country home for two centuries, after which, it fell into disuse.
Time Line
1558–1570 (Castle Built)
The Wemyss family built Elcho castle. Judging by the style of architecture, the castle’s purpose was to impress, not to defend. The castle served as the family’s country home for almost 200 years.
1633
Sir John Wemyss of Elcho was named the first Earl of Wemyss. The Earl of Wemyss would care for Elcho Castle for the next three centuries.
1773 (Castle Attacked and Burned)
Elcho Castle was nearly burned to the ground by a mob. A grain famine struck Scotland, and a farmer used Elcho Castle to store grain to sell abroad. Upon discovering this, a mob marched on the castle. Soldiers quelled the mob, and the grain was sold in Perth the following day rather than be exported.
1830
The eighth Earl of Wemyss commissioned a new roof for the castle despite being uninhabited for decades.
1930
The eleventh Earl of Wemyss placed Elcho Castle in state guardianship, where it has remained since.
Elcho Castle Occupants
Elcho Castle was once the country home of the Wemyss family. It was never a full-time place of residence but a pleasant getaway for the nobility.
- The Wemyss family typically lived at Wemyss Castle in Fife to the south. The family built Elcho Castle as a second home around 1560, though the exact date is unknown.
- The Wemyss family made use of Elcho Castle for about 200 years. By the mid-1700s, it appears that the castle fell out of use.
- In 1930, the family gave the castle up to the state for guardianship.
Images of Elcho Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Elcho Castle Facts
- Though never the site of any battles, Elcho Castle was once set upon by an angry mob.
- The castle has a staggeringly large number of toilets given its size and the time it was built--at least nine.
- The castle still boasts its original iron bars over the windows to deter thieves.
- The apple orchard on the castle grounds was replanted in the 90s and is available for guests to pick.
- The ground floor is profuse with gun holes (also called gun loops), far more than is typical for a castle of this size.
- Some of the plasterwork friezes from the 17th century have survived.
- Elcho Castle is the only surviving Z-shaped castle of its particular design.
Elcho Castle Q&A
What Was the Main Use of Elcho Castle?
Because Elcho Castle was only used as a secondary residence, very little historical record of note has survived. Despite being unoccupied for almost 300 years, the structure is remarkably well-preserved and gives visitors a close look at the everyday life of 16th-century Scottish nobility.
Little is known of the castle after the Wemyss family stopped staying there before it was trusted to the state for guardianship in 1930. Because of the centuries of disuse, Elcho Castle is a glimpse into the lives of 16th- and 17th-century Scottish nobility.
Can I Take a Tour of Elcho Castle?
If you’re looking for a pleasant way to spend a day in Perth, try touring Elcho Castle and enjoying a picnic on the grounds. The castle is available to tour from April to September. Elcho Castle is one of the lesser-known castles in Scotland, but it should not be discounted by explorers wishing to visit historical monuments.
This castle is on the smaller side, and it will only take an afternoon to explore.
What Is There To Do at Elcho Castle?
Guests may explore the many rooms and stairways of the castle, enjoy the setting of the grounds on the River Tay, and picnic in the apple orchard. Children may complete a quiz as they tour the castle, trying to spot certain elements in the architecture.
Is Elcho Castle Child Friendly?
Elcho Castle is the perfect castle to tour with children (though it is not easily accessible for a pram). Children are invited to complete a quiz as they explore, and the castle is perfect for playing hide-and-seek.
Is Elcho Castle Accessible for Guests With Disabilities?
Much of Elcho Castle is not accessible to those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. Guests with disabilities can tour the castle’s ground floor, but they may find some of the steps or uneven flooring difficult to traverse. Exploring Elcho Castle is better suited to younger, more mobile guests.
Can I Bring a Picnic at Elcho Castle?
Bringing a picnic to Elcho Castle is encouraged. There are picnic tables by the orchard, and the grounds overlooking the River Tay make for a beautiful backdrop to your picnic.
Location of Elcho Castle
Elcho Castle is located in Perthshire. It sits just south of the River Tay, four miles southeast of Perth. The nearest major cities are Edinburgh and Glasgow, about 50 and 70 miles (80 and 113 kms.) away, respectively.
Other Places To Visit Near Elcho Castle
A visit to Elcho Castle will only take an afternoon, and there are many other activities you can enjoy nearby. If you’re staying a full day in or around Perth, here are some other attractions to visit after your trip to Elcho Castle.