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Ravenscraig Castle, located in Kirkcaldy, is one of Scotland’s earliest artillery defense castles, as it was built to withstand cannon fires. King James II commissioned Ravenscraig Castle, and it was built in the late 15th century. A significant portion of the castle is still standing today, owned and maintained by Historic Environment Scotland. It sits on a 100 feet (30.48 metres) high rock that is between Kirkcaldy and Dysart.
Visiting Ravenscraig Castle
Parking
Visitors can park their cars for free at Ravenscraig Park Car Park, a 10-15 minute walk from the castle.
Price
Free
Opening
The exterior of Ravenscraig Castle can be viewed for free, all year round.
Visitors can not access the castle’s interior as it is not staffed, perhaps due to its remote location.
Location and Access
To get to Ravenscraig Castle, turn off to the A955 Dysart Road to Ravenscraig Park. Park at Ravenscraig Park and then follow the signage through the park towards Ravenscraig Castle.
To access the castle by public transport, check Traveline Scotland for a direct or connecting route.
There are no official tours of Ravenscraig Castle. However, some tour operators include Ravenscraig Castle on their tour itinerary for the Ravenscraig area and South East Scotland.
Please note: No toilets are available at the site - Public toilets are 10 minutes away.
Know Before You Go
Visitors have limited access to the castle and can only view the castle from the outside. However, there is plenty that visitors can see even from the outside of the castle. Significant structures you can look at include:
- The towers. One of the defining structures of Ravenscraig Castle is its two D-plan towers, made with thick walls. The towers are linked by a large parapet that visitors can see from the outside.
- Thick exterior walls. Ravenscraig Castle’s walls were all heavily fortified and are up to 11.5 feet (3.51 metres) thick. Visitors can see traces of bullets that have pierced the wall during sieges and battles.
- Rock cut ditch. The castle’s front courtyard is separated and protected from the mainland with a deep, rock-cut ditch.
- Gun ports. The castle has several visible gun ports which could hold muzzle-loading cannons.
- The East Tower. A large part of the East Tower has fallen to ruin. However, visitors can see remnants of a well, a kitchen, and a large bakehouse.
History of Ravenscraig Castle
Ravenscraig Castle was built by the Scottish monarchy. It was then gifted to the powerful Sinclair family who made several improvements to the castle’s defences, and was passed down to different families over centuries. Today, it is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Time Line
-Mid-15th Century (Castle Commissioned and Designed)
King James II ascended the throne in 1437. Sometime after his ascension, he commissioned mason Henry Merlion and carpenter Friar Andres Lesouris to design and build Ravenscraig Castle for his wife, Queen Mary of Guelders. James II took the land that Ravenscraig Castle was built on from the Ramsay family and allocated £600 for the building work.
However, Ravenscraig Castle's construction had not even begun when King James II was accidentally hit by cannon fire during the siege of Roxburgh Castle and killed.
-1460 (Construction Begins)
James II’s widow, Mary, ordered that Ravenscraig Castle continue to be built as a memorial to her husband. She also used the castle as a dowager house as she lived in the East Tower while it was being built.
In 1463, Mary of Guelders passed away. At this time, only the East Tower and the basement of the castle had been built.
King James III inherited the castle when his mother passed away.
-1471 (Taken Over by the Sinclair Family)
In 1471, James III gifted the castle to the Earl of Orkney, William Sinclair. This political move allowed James III to gain control of the Earldom of Orkney, a group of islands off the northeastern coast of Scotland.
The Sinclairs continued to build and fortify the castle, focusing on artillery. For instance, they installed a gun platform over the foundation of the central vaults that Mary had built.
-The 1500s (Visits From Nobility)
In the 16th century, Ravenscraig Castle and the Sinclairs hosted several nobles and royalty. King James V and Mary of Guise stayed at Ravenscraig Castle on their way to Falkland Palace. In 1598, Prince Ulrik John of Denmark stayed at Ravenscraig Castle.
-1650–1651 (Under Attack)
Between 1650-1651, Ravenscraig Castle was attacked by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. The attack was successful, and the Cromwell army temporarily occupied the castle.
Ravenscraig Castle continued to be in Cromwell’s control until Cromwell’s dictatorship collapsed in 1651. The castle was then returned to the Sinclairs.
-1715 (The Castle Is Temporarily Abandoned)
John Sinclair was part of the 1715 Jacobite uprising, which was an attempt to regain the throne for the Stuarts. However, the rebellion failed, and Lord Sinclair fled abroad, temporarily abandoning Ravenscraig Castle.
-1722 (Building Dysart House)
In 1722, John Sinclair returned to Scotland and began building Dysart House, where the Sinclair family moved to, on the Ravenscraig Castle estate. The castle and Dysart house passed on, through marriage, to the Earls of Rosslyn. The castle gradually fell into ruin.
In the late 1700s and early 1800s, parts of the castle were stripped to make houses and other structures in the nearby village.
-1805 (Referred to in Sir Walter Scott’s Ballad)
Rosabelle, a ballad in Sir Walter Scott’s Lay of the Last Minstrel, refers to Ravenscraig Castle. In this ballad, Rosabelle leaves Ravenscraig Castle for a ball but drowns as she makes her way across the river.
-1898 (Sold to the Nairns Family)
The Sinclair family declared bankruptcy in 1898 and sold Ravenscraig Castle and its estate to the Nairns family, which included Dysart House, where they moved into.
-1914–1918 (Ammunition Storage)
The castle was used to store ammunition during World War I.
-1929 (Given to Kirkcaldy Town)
The Nairns family gave a large portion of the Ravenscraig estate, including the castle, to Kirkcaldy town in 1929. Much of the Ravenscraig estate was converted into Ravenscraig Public Park.
-1955 (Given to Historic Environment Scotland)
Ravenscraig Castle passed into the control of Historic Environment Scotland in 1955, and was declared a protected, scheduled ancient monument.
-2008 (Setting for the Real McKenzies Music Video)
Ravenscraig Castle was the setting for The Real McKenzies song ‘Drink Some More.’
Ravenscraig Castle Occupants
- Mid 15th century - late 15th century: Built by the Scottish monarchs (monarch control)
- Late 15th century - late 19th century: Occupied by the Sinclair family
- Late 19th century - mid 20th century: Sold and occupied by the Nairns family
- Mid 20th century - present: Given to Kirkcaldy town and now in control of Historic Environment Scotland
Images of Ravenscraig Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Ravenscraig Castle Q&A
What Kind of Castle Is Ravenscraig Castle?
Ravenscraig Castle is an artillery castle built in the mid-15th century. It is considered to be one of the first artillery defense castles built in Scotland.
The castle is made primarily with stone that was quarried from neighboring cliffs.
What Was the Primary Use of Ravenscraig Castle?
While it was initially built by the Scottish monarchy, Ravenscraig Castle was the Sinclair family's home for many centuries. It has also been used as an ammunition depot.
Today, the castle is a historical monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland.
How Did Ravenscraig Castle Get Its Name?
Ravenscraig Castle may get its name from the rock on which it was built. The rock may have been a place where ravens gathered and was called ‘Ravens Craig.’
In some maps, the castle is called ‘Ravensheugh Castle.’
What Else Can Visitors See Around Ravenscraig Castle?
Ravenscraig Castle is just a short walk away from Ravenscraig Park, an expansive garden that overlooks the sea. Visitors can also explore the nearby town of Kirkcaldy.
Visitors may also visit the nearby Beveridge Park, Balwearie Castle Tower, and Pitteadie Castle.
Location of Ravenscraig Castle
When exploring the exterior of Ravenscraig Castle, visitors will certainly enjoy the scenery. Ravenscraig Castle is next to the picturesque Ravenscraig Park. It also sits on top of a rock that overlooks the Firth of Forth, providing beautiful views of the River Forth and the North Sea beyond.