Dunimarle Castle & Gardens

Dunimarle Castle & Gardens Castle, Gardens, Tours, Weddings,
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Our Castle & Gardens will remain closed until February of next year,  when we will kick off our activities once again wi...
05/11/2024

Our Castle & Gardens will remain closed until February of next year, when we will kick off our activities once again with the annual snowdrop festival. This event is held in partnership with the Scottish Garden Scheme and aims to celebrate the beauty of spring as it emerges.

Reflecting on this past year, it has been a whirlwind of activity and transformation. Our exceptional group of volunteers, who are truly the backbone of our operation, are currently engaged in a variety of important tasks that had to be set aside until our end of season closure. Their hard work includes planting vibrant new flora, enhancing our plant labelling for better visitor education, and conducting crucial repairs to ensure our gardens remain welcoming and accessible.

Looking ahead to next year, we are excited to introduce guided Garden tours led by our knowledgeable resident tour guide, Ian. With his expertise as both a historian and a horticulturist, Ian will bring the fascinating stories of our gardens to life. Additionally, we will showcase a unique guided exhibition highlighting the remarkable finds from our ice-house, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our visitors and followers for your unwavering support during this transformative year. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you back to experience the beauty and charm of our castle and gardens next year!

Join us for our final tour of the season!Our knowledgeable and entertaining resident tour guide Ian will lead the way.Th...
28/10/2024

Join us for our final tour of the season!

Our knowledgeable and entertaining resident tour guide Ian will lead the way.

The tour features a guided walk through the Castle, Ice House, and our beautiful Chapel.

Ian, our dedicated historian, will share fascinating insights into the estate's history, including events that inspired elements of the play Macbeth.

Date: 31st October.
Time: 11am or 2pm.
Booking: Eventbrite
Cost: £10pp.
Duration: 90 minutes.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dunimarle-castle-guided-tour-tickets-1029927299277

Looks like spring is just around the corner 😯
24/10/2024

Looks like spring is just around the corner 😯

Come and enjoy a beautiful autumn morning at Dunimarle Castle.Take a leisurely stroll around our stunning estate, and fe...
07/10/2024

Come and enjoy a beautiful autumn morning at Dunimarle Castle.

Take a leisurely stroll around our stunning estate, and feel free to bring your furry friends along - we have facilities for dogs too!🐶

Our gardens are open for everyone to enjoy, and the last entry is at 3.30.

We can't wait to welcome you!😃

Our popular guided tour dates for October arenow available to book.Early booking is recommended as this will be our last...
30/09/2024

Our popular guided tour dates for October are
now available to book.
Early booking is recommended as this will be our last tours of 2024.
The tour includes a guided walk through the
Castle, Ice House, and our beautiful Chapel,
where lan our dedicated historian will talk
you through the fantastic history of the
estate and some of the events that even led
to a feature in the play Macbeth.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dunimarle-castle-guided-tour-tickets-937513436927


Dear valued customers,It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of the Orangery Tearoom.For those who have m...
28/08/2024

Dear valued customers,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of the Orangery Tearoom.

For those who have made table reservations, we will be in touch with you in the coming weeks.

If you hold a gift voucher, please reach out to us directly to receive a full refund.

We would like to express our gratitude for your support during these past months.

Thank you, The staff of the Orangery Tearoom.

🌿Just a reminder to always look up. Like under this canopy of trees on our snow drop walk , beautiful. 🌿
28/08/2024

🌿Just a reminder to always look up.
Like under this canopy of trees on our snow drop walk , beautiful. 🌿

A speckled wood butterfly enjoying some sun in the garden yesterday. Looks like another beautiful day ahead. Open today ...
24/08/2024

A speckled wood butterfly enjoying some sun in the garden yesterday.
Looks like another beautiful day ahead.
Open today 10am till 4pm.
✨️🦋

Opening again just in time for lunch! ☕️After a safety check on the trees and watching the weather we have decided to re...
22/08/2024

Opening again just in time for lunch! ☕️
After a safety check on the trees and watching the weather we have decided to reopen our gardens today. Our woodland walk will remain shut as a precaution though. Please respect the red tape as it is for your safety.

We found this beautiful peacock butterfly in one of our turrets.Gave them a peach for some sugar and when  they get thei...
22/08/2024

We found this beautiful peacock butterfly in one of our turrets.
Gave them a peach for some sugar and when they get their strength back release them out into the world.
It's so important for us here at the castle to look after our wildlife.
Have you spotted any more butterflies around our grounds?
We would love to see photos 🥰🦋

Another beautiful day about to start. Why not explore our beautiful gardens, or adventure down the woodland walk. Below ...
16/08/2024

Another beautiful day about to start. Why not explore our beautiful gardens, or adventure down the woodland walk.

Below is our fig tree which climbs the castles edible wall.

It's a perfect day for the toads in our gardens 🐸
15/08/2024

It's a perfect day for the toads in our gardens 🐸

Have you been up the north drive lately? Hidden amongst the Rhododendrons you can spot these beautiful insects.This area...
14/08/2024

Have you been up the north drive lately? Hidden amongst the Rhododendrons you can spot these beautiful insects.

This area is filled with dragonflies at the moment.

Why not have a walk up there today and see if you can spot them ✨️😊

We have some wonderful Fungus in our grounds, This beautiful Coral fungus helps break down decaying wood. Hands up if yo...
08/08/2024

We have some wonderful Fungus in our grounds, This beautiful Coral fungus helps break down decaying wood.
Hands up if you have spotted it? 🙌😊

We have some impressive trees around the castle grounds here at Dunimarle.This Beech (Fagus slyvatica) stretches high ab...
03/08/2024

We have some impressive trees around the castle grounds here at Dunimarle.
This Beech (Fagus slyvatica) stretches high above the snow drop walk stairs and pathway.
Have you explored this area of our grounds ? 🌱

Our popular guided tour dates for August arenow available to book.The tour includes a guided walk through theCastle, Ice...
31/07/2024

Our popular guided tour dates for August are
now available to book.
The tour includes a guided walk through the
Castle, Ice House, and our beautiful Chapel,
where lan our dedicated historian will talk
you through the fantastic history of the
estate and some of the events that even led
to a feature in the play Macbeth.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dunimarle-castle-guided-tour-tickets-918658431097


Address

Balgownie West, Culross
Dunfermline
KY128JN

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+447713629040

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History of Dunimarle Castle

Dunimarle Castle is situated north of the B9037 to the west of Culross, and south of the A985 Dunfermline- Kincardine road. The Castle occupies a spectacular setting in a highly elevated position overlooking the Firth of Forth. While the earliest house, a medieval Castle belonging to the MacDuffs, Thanes of Fife, was built to take advantage of the defensive, coastal site, `Castlehill,` a small 18th century mansion house, was built further east to exploit the site's picturesque qualities. The Blaw family owned the estate from the 16th century until 1830, when it was sold to Lady Margaret Keith of Tulliallan. Shortly afterwards the small mansion was incorporated into a castellated villa (1839-45) for Mrs Magdalene Sharpe Erskine (1787-1872), sister and heir to Sir John Drummond Erskine of Torrie (1776-1836) Ruins thought to relate to the medieval Dunimarle Castle survive, incorporated into a west wall with a ruinous vaulted tower. A vaulted structure in the north – west end of the castle garden is thought to be the remains of an Ice-house. On the north-east facade of the castle is the gothic chapel-like 4-bay apsed Orangery. A castellated gothic gateway, with massive iron gates, leads from the forecourt terrace to the North Avenue which was traditionally the main entrance, about three-quarters of a mile in length, provided the most dramatic approach to Dunimarle. It is planted with a mix of Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana) and Wellingtonias (Sequoiadendron giganteum). South-east and south-west of the house is the Bastion Garden and Castle terrace. The latter had a central, sunken Rose Garden. The castle terrace leads you to the Terrace Walk which is planted with Irish Yew (Taxus baccata `Fastigiata`). The south-west side of the Kitchen Garden has a Castellated Screen Wall with towers at regular intervals ending in a larger round tower at its south-western end. These towers served as stokeholes for a heated fruit wall and form part of the terrace walk. Down hill from the Castle is St Serf`s Chapel, designed by Rowand Anderson c 1872 and the interiors finished in 1876.