Elcho Castle

The first reliable record of the Elcho was in 1429, when Sir David Wemyss of Clan Wemyss and Hugh Fraser made an agreement at "Elthok". Blind Harry's 1480s poem about William Wallace over 150 years earlier, The Wallace, refers to "Elchoch", but it is not thought by Historic Environment Scotland to be a reliable source. The main seat of Clan Wemyss was Wemyss Castle in Fife with Elcho castle being more of a country retreat. Sir John died in 1571 and his son David took possession of the castle. Sir David was involved in the wedding planning of James VI and I and Anne of Denmark in 1589. The letters "E I W" are carved outside near the door, thought to stand for "Earl James Wemyss". Sir John…

Elcho Castle consists of an approximately Z-plan tower house, with evidence of a surrounding wall (a barmkin). It is a multi-storied structure with a large square tower at one corner, and three other integrated towers on the north-side. Some of the windows have metal grilles for defence, and 17 gun loops are present at the lower levels. There is only a single entrance to the castle, located at ground-level in the south-west tower, and is protected by a yett. There is a walk-way on top of the walls, with a parapet, though as with the south-eastern corbelled turret featuring large windows, it was thought to be more for inhabitants to view the surrounds than the defence. The castle was built…