Birkhill Castle

Birkhill Castle is located in the Kingdom of Fife, overlooking the Firth of Tay, and has been the home of the Earls of Dundee since the 18th century.

Lord Dundee has made this stunning castle available for private exclusive use, with 13 double bedrooms, 1 twin bedroom and 2 single bedrooms, sleeping 30 guests in total. There is also a large nursery bedroom suitable for up to 6 children. Stunning views over the estate and the River Tay estuary beyond make this a magical setting for an array of events and occasions.

Accommodation

Birkhill Castle sleeps 30 guests in 13 large double rooms, 1 twin room and 2 single rooms, most with their own private bathrooms. There is also a nursery bedroom for up to 6 children.

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All bedrooms offer quality Egyptian cotton bedlinen, towels, and bathrobes.

On the ground floor you can enjoy drinks in the light-filled Drawing Room. The Drawing Room connects to the Library, where you will be surrounded by the family’s collection of rare and historic books. Both rooms have lovely fires to make them cosy and inviting in the colder months.

Dining

The castle has a warm country kitchen for guests to utilise for self-catering. Dinner can be enjoyed in the chandelier-lit Dining Room.

St Andrews offers Michelin-star restaurants on the doorstep, not to mention a visit to either the whisky or gin distilleries – or both!

Bring your own Champagne, wine and spirits, with no corkage charge.

In warmer months, enjoy drinks on the terrace taking in the views or, when the weather is less welcoming, come indoors and take in the cosy warm fires, enjoying music around the grand piano.

Activities

Birkhill Castle is set in over 1,000 acres of stunning woodland and secluded paths, with a private tennis court, walled garden and outdoor heated swimming pool. Take a walk down to the private beach and firepit and enjoy an evening barbecue under the stars.

With towering ancient trees, red squirrels, otters, seals and even the occasional giant sea eagle soaring overhead, every walk will offer a new and memorable experience.

Further activities can be arranged with the help of the on-site House Manager, including horse-riding, fly-fishing, falconry, whisky-tasting, clay-pigeon shooting, archery, an afternoon of Highland Games, wildlife, woodland tours or a good night of music and dancing with a traditional Scottish ceilidh and a piper.

The castle is an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and 30 minutes from St Andrews, where you will find world-class golf courses, such as the Old Course, Dumbarnie, Kingsbarns and many more.

You can also visit nearby Dundee with the impressive Victoria and Albert Museum revealing Scottish design achievements, or climb aboard HMS ‘Discovery’ to learn about the expedition of this barque-rigged auxiliary steamship which took Scott and Shackleton to Antarctica in 1901.

History

The Earls of Dundee have lived at Birkhill since the 18th century. In 1778, an earlier building was replaced by a new house in the style of Robert Adam. In 1858, the house was enlarged and incorporated within the present structure, which was designed by the well-known Scottish Baronial architect David Bryce. Before then the family had lived at Dudhope Castle, which you can still visit in the city of Dundee.

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