Rossend Castle

Rossend Castle stands on the south coast of Fife, in the town of Burntisland. The building began as a keep called the Tower of Kingorne Wester in 1119 and later became Burntisland Castle. By 1382 it was known as Abbot’s Hall, home to the Abbot of Dunfermline. The present structure mostly dates from the 16th century, though its basement includes 13th-century lancet windows that may once have belonged to a chapel. Peter Durie of Durie rebuilt the castle from 1552, and the arms of Abbot George Durie and the date 22 May 1554 appear above the main door. The castle witnessed key events during the Rough Wooing, when English forces landed nearby in December 1547. Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed there between 1561 and 1567 and discovered a French poet hiding under her bed in 1562. In 1590 Sir Robert Melville hosted the Danish Admiral Peder Munk at Rossend before his journey to Falkland Palace. James VI arrived in 1594 to pursue rebels but failed to capture them. Sir Robert Melville also commissioned a painted timber ceiling in the early 17th century, featuring his initials and emblems from printed sources. Visitors find a restored 16th-century castle with a 13th-century basement chapel. The entrance shows the arms of Abbot George Durie and the date 1554. Inside, traces of the Melville painted ceiling survive, though the finest panels are now in the National Museum of Scotland. The building remains in private hands after recent restoration and serves as an office for architects. Its category B listing recognises its historical importance. The town of Burntisland offers views across the Firth of Forth from the castle’s grounds.