Dairsie Castle (historic Scotland)

Dairsie Castle is a unique self-catered property which sleeps 13. Located close to St. Andrews (15 minutes drive) and Edinburgh (1 hour drive), it is an ideal setting for a holiday to explore the heart of Scotland.

First sited in the 12th Century, Dairsie has been the location of secret Scottish parliaments, military sieges, and safe haven for escapee monarchs (James VI and I in 1583). The castle became a ruin in the 19th Century. In 1992 it was bought and rebuilt by the current owner who worked hard to restore the castle to its original medieval character, with all the comforts of a modern family home.

The Castle;

‘The Dungeon' - On the ground floor there is a twin bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and ensuite bathroom.

'The Family Bedroom' - This huge master bedroom has 3 four-poster beds; 1 king-size, 2 largesingles. The en-suite bathroom is complete with a stand-alone bath and window shutters, painted in the style of Hokusai.

‘The Spottiswoode (Upper Tower Room)’ - Named after one of the long-term residents of the castle, John Spottiswoode, the Archbishop of St. Andrews in the 1600s. This bedroom has a double bed and an ensuite bathroom.

‘The Learmonth (Lower Tower Room)’ - Named after the family that owned Dairsie for a 100 years, before they sold it to Archbishop Spottiswoode in 1616. This bedroom has a double bed and an ensuite bathroom.

‘The South Caphouse’ - A twin bedroom on the top floor at the end of the Gallery. It has a shared bathroom with the North Caphouse bedroom.

‘The North Caphouse’ - This single bedroom is at the opposite end of the Gallery, at the top of the spiral staircase. It has conventional medieval rush flooring and looks out over the drive. It has a shared bathroom with the South Caphouse Bedroom.

The Great Hall – As the hub of the castle, with a dining table which can seat 12, and is surrounded by beautiful artworks and sculptures.There are two large sofas and a foot stool around the fire place for post-dinner relaxation. A Minstrel’s Gallery which over-looks the Great Hall which can be reached from a staircase behind the room.

The Kitchen – The kitchen has all the usual culinary equipment and has a 2-hub Aga cooker. The room has a table and chairs and is large enough also to be used as a breakfast room. Behind the kitchen is a laundry room with a washing machine and dryer, and adjacent to the kitchen is a washroom.

The Living Room – The living room is on the 2nd floor, situated next to the Family Bedroom. It is carpeted and has a TV, a stereo, a cupboard and comfortable sofas. Next door to the living room is a small Toy Room which is filled with children’s books, toys and some board games for the evenings.

The Gallery – The Gallery is a spacious area on the top floor of the castle and is where a lot of the castle’s artwork and antiques are displayed. It is a very bright and large space with good views of the surrounding countryside, and is an ideal place for holding receptions.

Dairsie has 6 acres of grounds including a cop with a woodland walk down to the river Eden, a walled herb garden, an orchard and a large open grass area. There is an open garage, originally intended to be a ducat, a watch tower and a large drive which can park about 8 cars. The castle's caretaker lives next door.

The local area;

There is so much to see and do! For family fun visit St. Andrews Aquarium, Craigtoun Country Park (Nature & Adventure Play Park), The Deer Centre in Fife, or Wet Sands Beach.

For those who like the great outdoors there is plenty of gold and fishing to enjoy. St. Andrews is the world famous home of golf; have a round on one of the famous courses such as the Old Course, the Duke’s, Links or Kingsbarns. With all the lochs and rivers, Scotland also has some brilliant fishing opportunities (including fishing in the river Eden that runs along the bottom of the castle grounds).

Wedding and Events;

Dairsie Castle is the perfect venue for any event. Aside from the beautiful countryside backdrop, the castle grounds can accomodate up to 60 people and the front garden has ample space for a large marquee.

It is a truly unique property seeped in Scottish history, and one which we welcome you to experience and enjoy!