The first castle on this land was built in the 13th century. Overlooking Loch Ore, the castle was built as the stronghold of the Clan MacDougall. The original stone castle was significantly damaged when it was captured by Robert the Bruce in 1309. It remained a royal castle for the subsequent four centuries, and at one point became a much loved retreat of King James VI of Scotland (James I of England) upon his journeys back to his homeland. It suffered significant damage at the hands of English troops during Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland in 1651. Parts of the castle were extensively remodelled in the Scots Baronial style in the mid-1830s.
The castle that stands today is a mix of its rich history. Its unique story means that it is completely unmatched by any other castles in the country. Indeed, it is our belief that today Cowdenbeath Castle is the most spectacular in all of Scotland.
These days the castle plays host to a wide range of fun activities for all the family. In addition to exploring the castle itself visitors can be entertained by a range of different events, ranging from falconry to jousting.
If you want to attend one of our events, you can find out more on our events page.
