📌 Craigrothie, Fife
★★
🛠️ Tower currently closed (checked April 2024)
Despite slightly awkward access arrangements, Scotstarvit Tower is well worth nipping over to from nearby Hill of Tarvit – you have to pick up the key from there to access the top of the tower anyway. Turn the key, lift the latch (or something) and hey presto: it’s almost like you’re the owner of a 16th century tower house, originally built by the Inglis family but significantly altered by Sir John Scot after he bought the estate in 1611. The 6 floors are rather bare in layout – apparently reflecting the character of the later owner – but well preserved thanks to Historic Environment Scotland, and you can climb all the way up. Surrounding trees make taking photos of the exterior quite tricky, with the best view probably from the approach track.
🌍 Location
📌 Off the A916 1 mi north of Craigrothie
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 370113
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.289691,-3.018770
🚌 Bus stops on A916 at Wemysshall Road junction
🚗 Space to park at A916 road junction, 🧭 NO 373115 / 🛰️ 56.292116,-3.013837 – don’t block access
📝 Key info
⌚ Open during Hill of Tarvit Mansion opening times – see link above
🎫 Free
💬 The key to the tower must be collected from Hill of Tarvit nearby – see link above. From the A916 it’s a 10-min walk (each way) to the tower on a good track (⬤ Easy).
