Burleigh Castle: two views of a local landmark

A castle with medieval roots

Burleigh Castle’s square tower house was built around 1500. The ruins now visible were once part of a much larger courtyard complex.

Round below, square above

Its unusual corner tower changes from a round base to a square upper section. Historic Environment Scotland dates this distinctive feature to 1582, when Sir James Balfour and Margaret Balfour made their mark on the castle.

Steve’s closer photograph picks out the surviving buildings. His wider aerial view places them among the neighbouring fields, roads and houses.

A royal stopping place

The castle also had royal visitors. Historic Environment Scotland records Mary of Guise visiting in 1540 and James VI staying on several occasions between 1587 and 1596.

It is a small local landmark with a much bigger history. The official history and visitor pages below are a good place to explore it further.