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History and Renovation

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1257

Loch Leven Castle Construction

Around this time, construction is believed to have begun on Loch Leven Castle. Today it is one the most important medieval castles in Scotland and is one of the jewels of the Kinross House Estate.

1296-1328

First War of Scottish Independence

During the first war of Scottish Independence (1296 – 1328) the invading English army held the castle, but before the end of the century, it was later recaptured by Scottish forces led by Sir William Wallace, who was immortalised in the film Braveheart. Lochleven Castle became one of only five castles to hold out against the English (during David II’s reign) at the time.

1313 & 1323

Robert The Bruce - Royal Exchequer

Robert the Bruce moved part of the royal exchequer to Loch Leven. Bruce stayed here in 1313 and 1323 and was the first to use the castle as a prison. Evidently, he had confidence in its security potential.

1369

King Robert II

Robert Stewart, later to become King Robert II, the first of the Royal House of Stewart, was imprisoned by King David II in the castle for a spell in 1369, as the complicated politics of the age unfolded. King Robert II later granted the castle to Sir Henry Douglas and the Douglases held the castle up to the 17th century.

1392

The Douglas Family

Lochleven Castle and estate lands were conveyed by Robert II to the Douglas family, in whose possession it remained for the next 300 years.

1561

Mary Queen of Scots first visited Lochleven Castle

As a guest of the owner, Sir William Douglas, it was at the castle she debated the Scottish Reformation with John Knox.

1567 - 1568

Mary Queen of Scots Imprisoned

She later returned to the castle as a prisoner between 1567 and 1568 and was forced to abdicate the throne in favour of her infant son, James VI during her captivity. Dramatically, she escaped across the loch and went into exile in England, never to return to Scotland again.

1685

Construction of Kinross House

The castle remained in the ownership of the Douglas family, Earls of Morton until it was purchased by Sir William Bruce who used the castle as the easternmost focal part of his famous designed landscape to create Kinross House.

Sir William Bruce landscaped the grounds and planted the formal gardens ten years prior to the construction of Kinross House so it would be set in a mature landscape. 

1777

Post Bruce Dynasty

The estate was purchased by George Graham in 1777 and passed through marriage to the Montgomery family. 

2011

Mr. Donald Fothergill acquired the property.

Mr. Fothergill’s purchase heralded the beginning of a total renovation project of a magnitude that can only be described as a labour of love. Teams of specialists were carefully picked to return this magnificent building to its former glory whilst also providing it with state of the art capability.

2013

Kinross House Restoration

The restoration work was completed in 2013 and the property was winner of the prestigious Historic Houses Association and Sotheby’s UK Restoration Award of the Year.   No expense has been spared to make this breathtaking property reflect Sir William Bruce’s vision for opulent entertaining which will only be seen and experienced by the few.

2024

Present Day

Kinross House now welcomes guests to hire the estate on a strictly exclusive use basis for private celebrations, family gatherings and the ultimate luxury, once-in-a-lifetime stay.

Decoration

Exclusive Use of Kinross House Estate

The Estate offers exclusive hire of Kinross House and The Coach House.

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