Plean Castle

Plean Castle is a Category B listed structure in St Ninians combining a slender tower from the 15th century with an adjoining manor house built in the 16th century. A wooden walkway connects these two parts, with the manor house standing above a vaulted basement.

The barony was granted by Robert Bruce in 1314, and Lord Somerville built the castle after acquiring the lands in 1449. The structure grew over centuries and shows building elements from different periods.

The castle displays typical Scottish building styles through its three stories and distinctive parapet details that reflect medieval construction methods from the region. These features remain visible today and show how people built defensive structures in that era.

The castle underwent major reconstruction from 1991 to 1997 and was converted into residential and holiday spaces. Plan your visit during daylight hours to see the architectural details clearly.

The manor house contains an original vaulted basement from 1528 that survives beneath the later additions. This old cellar shows how early residents built their structures with sturdy arched bases.

Location: Stirling

Location: St Ninians

GPS coordinates: 56.06170,-3.84875

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:07