Kellie Castle and Garden

Kellie Castle dates back to the 14th century and is surrounded by a stunning late Victorian garden. It was restored by the famous Lorimer family.

Kellie Castle is for lovers of fine interiors, ornate plasterwork, paintings and furniture, and of nature and gardens.

The oldest part of Kellie Castle is believed to date from 1360, but the building in its present form is mainly 16th and early 17th century and was completed about 1606. Sympathetically restored by the Lorimer family around 1878, it contains magnificent plaster ceilings, painted panelling and furniture designed by Sir Robert Lorimer. It also contains a long-concealed mural by Phoebe Anna Traquair.

Imagine what life was like for the laird and his family, or for the servants. Admire the library ceiling - one of the oldest ornamental plaster ceilings in Scotland - installed here in honour of the king's visit to Kellie, or marvel at the painted panelling in the Dining Room, painted by Dutch artists in the 17th century.

The layout of the organic walled garden is 17th century with late Victorian additions and contains a fine collection of old-fashioned roses, fruit trees and herbaceous plants.

Sit under an apple tree, enjoy the enchanting beauty, the sound of songbirds and the fragrances that make the atmosphere of the Arts and Crafts Walled Garden so special.

Take a stroll around the nature walks, visit the bird hide, walk past the pond, through the meadow or woodland, which is carpeted with the white flowers of wild garlic in early summer.

Buy some freshly harvested fruit or vegetables grown in the garden and sold in the summerhouse that Lorimer designed as a young architect. He spent much of his childhood at the castle, and it influenced his later works as one of Scotland's leading architects. There is a display in the summerhouse on the history of walled garden.