Burleigh Castle

Burleigh Castle stands beside the A911 road north of Kinross in Perth and Kinross. The remains date from the 15th and 16th centuries and include a tower house and a corner tower. The site once formed a square courtyard enclosed by a curtain wall. A 19th-century steading opposite has been converted into houses. The castle is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. The castle witnessed visits by Mary of Guise in 1540 and James VI in 1587 and 1589. Colonel William Stewart was imprisoned here in 1592. Michael Balfour became Lord Balfour of Burleigh in 1607 after an Act of Parliament enriched him. Local poet Michael Bruce drew inspiration from the castle for his poem 'The Lovers' in 1760. Visitors find the western part of the courtyard with the tower house and corner tower still standing. The tower house rises to three storeys and a garret, with thick walls and a vaulted basement. The corner tower, round at the base and square above, retains its roof and fine masonry. Gun loops and small pistol-holes are visible, and the north gable bears the date 1582 and initials IB and MB. A section of curtain wall with an arched gate connects the two towers.