📌 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, local topography and the barrier of the River Tay means that access is by a lonely few miles of unclassified road on the northern slopes of Moncreiffe Hill. Perhaps it’s because of all this 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, there’s room to park and view the castle doocot, with hundreds of nest boxes still intact within.
🌍 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 Tuesday, 29 March to September 2024
🎫 £7.50 adult / £4.50 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members
