📌 Rhynd, Perth & Kinross
★★★
Elcho Castle is a perfect example of why it’s worth exploring off the beaten track. Although only a few miles from Perth city centre as the crow flies, the local topography and the barrier of the River Tay means that access is by a lonely few miles of unclassified road on the north side of Moncreiffe Hill. This isolated location is surely the reason that the castle receives relatively few visitors, reflected in its closure each winter. This fortified former home of the Wemyss Family was constructed in the 16th century and still remains pretty much intact. It dates from the period in which wealthy families’ residences were transitioning from being primarily defensive to primarily comfortable to live in; Elcho Castle seems to represent a reasonable compromise between the two. Just short of the castle on the access road, keep an eye out for the castle doocot; until fairly recently you could look inside to see hundreds of nest boxes, but it’s now private.
🌍 Location
📌 At minor road end 1 mi north of Rhynd
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 164211
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.374629,-3.354523
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Friday to Wednesday, April to September
🎫 £8.50 adult / £5 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members – discount for booking online
