Barnbougle Castle

Barnbougle Castle is a fortress on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth with tall towers and crow-stepped gables rising above the coastal landscape. The building was originally built as a residential tower and later expanded with multiple rooms, including several libraries and a large banqueting hall with a gallery for musicians.

The castle was founded in the 13th century by the Mowbray family as a residential tower and shaped the southern shore area for centuries. The 5th Earl of Rosebery undertook major renovations in the late 1800s and gave the property its current form.

The castle was a gathering place for Victorian-era scholars and thinkers who came to discuss ideas within its rooms. It reflects the tastes of a family that valued learning and intellectual pursuits.

The estate sits on private grounds with on-site parking, making visits straightforward. The rooms are accessible from the grounds and can be explored on foot, with the coastal landscape providing a natural setting.

After the 5th Earl's death, the castle remained untouched for nine decades, preserving his furnishings and family portraits exactly as he left them. This long period of stillness allowed the place to keep the feeling of a past era in a striking way.