Cleish Castle

Cleish Castle stands in Kinross-shire, 5 kilometres south-west of Kinross and 1 kilometre west of the hamlet of Cleish. This 16th-century tower house was built by the Colville family, who owned it until 1775. It was restored and remodelled in the mid 19th century by Edinburgh architect John Lessels, who added features in a Scots baronial style. Further work in the 1970s and 2001 removed later additions, returning much of the castle to its earlier form. The grounds are recognised in the national listing of significant Scottish gardens. The castle remains a private residence and is a category A listed building. The Colvilles gained the barony in 1537 when Robert Colville received it from his father, Sir James Colville of Easter Wemyss. The tower was extended and heightened early in the 17th century, with dormers dated 1600. Robert’s son John took part in the Ruthven Raid and later joined Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, in an attack on Holyroodhouse. The castle passed to the Graham family in 1775, then to the Young family around 20 years later. It fell into disrepair before being restored in the 19th century. Visitors approach through the designed landscape, which is included in Scotland’s Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. The tower house itself shows 16th-century features alongside later remodelling by John Lessels. The grounds provide a quiet setting close to Kinross and the hamlet of Cleish. The castle’s private status means it cannot be entered, but its exterior and surroundings remain worth seeing. The western extension rebuilt in 2001 completes the restored appearance.