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 and additional accommodation within the estate that can sleep a further 16 guests. 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 king-sized 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.

There are 2 accessible wheelchair-friendly rooms on the ground floor.

The converted stables offer a further 8 rooms within the estate that sleep 16 guests. There are 2 twins and 6 king-sized rooms within the stables. 6 of the rooms are en-suite and 2 share a bathroom.

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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.

The dining table is large enough to accommodate all residents, but should you wish to arrange a larger party and invite more guests, this can be accommodated in The Ballroom.

Dining

Birkhill Castle works with a number of award-winning fine-dining chefs who pride themselves on using the finest, locally sourced ingredients to create incredible meals for you and your guests. They will work with you directly to create a bespoke menu, which you are guaranteed to love.

Several packages are available and each comes with breakfast, lunch and dinner included in the price, as well as staff to serve and clear down after each meal.

Alternatively, the castle can be booked on a self-catering basis and provides a warm country kitchen, which guests are welcome to use.

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

Butler Service

A butler service can be provided, overseen by an expert in the industry with years of experience working with high-end clients. They offer 5-star service at every turn and will be there to assist and serve you for your entire stay.

• Luggage Transfer to Rooms
• Arrival Refreshments
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Service
• Afternoon Tea Service
• Drinks Service
• Turndown Service

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. The recently added pool house features a sauna, massage room and toilet/shower for changing. Take a walk down to the private beach and firepit and enjoy an evening barbecue under the stars. There is a private golf driving range which is available for an additional charge.

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 either on the estate or close-by 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, murder mystery 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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