Kellie Castle & Kellie Law

This is a 3.63 mile (according to the OS Map) circular walk taking in Kellie Castle, Kellie Castle Garden, the small village of Carnbee and a climb to the top of Kellie Law providing superb views over the East Neuk towns, Firth of Forth, the Isle of May, Bass Rock and surrounding countryside.

Kellie Castle is only a 13 minute drive from Crail and Sandcastle Cottage. From Crail take the A917 St Andrews Road. On leaving Crail take the B940 (first left) and over the old railway bridge. A short distance up this road you will come to a cross roads. Take a left on to the B9171 and follow this road for approximately 3 miles. At the next staggered cross roads take a right and left following the sign for Colinsburgh. Continue on the B9171 for 2 miles. You will find a sign for Kellie Castle on your right. Follow the road up to the car park.

Kellie Castle is managed and run by the National Trust for Scotland and there is an entry fee for the castle and a ticket machine in the car park. The castle is open from April to October.

Kellie Castle
Walking up from the car park our first view of the castle

According to the NTS Kellie Castle Website the entry fee for the castle is Adult £10.50, Family £24.50, One Adult Family £18.00, Concession £7.50. No mention of car parking charges. But they do charge and you have to display the ticket on your windscreen. Entry to the garden is by honesty box at the gate pr in the shop if open. On my last visit it was Adults £3.00 Concession £2.00.

Kellie Castle

Kellie was the home of the famous architect Robert Lorimer. The stables house an exhibition of the work of his son the sculptor Hew Lorimer best known as the creator of the statue Our Lady of the Isles. The castle interior has some fine pieces of furniture, one of the oldest ornamental plaster ceilings in Scotland and rare 17th century panelling. There are volunteer guides on hand to take you on tours of the castle and answer any questions.

Kellie Castle Garden

In spring, summer and autumn the walled garden is well worth a visit. It is well planned with colourful flower beds, vegetable plots, shrubs, trees, fruit trees, roses and a few quiet places to sit and catch the sun. The garden is open all the year round.

The garden is well worth a visit. If you have less energetic family members who are not interested in a walk. A tour round the castle and a stroll in the garden may be a great family day out.

Start the Walk

From the car park walk up the path and past the front of the castle. Continue east past the garden gate and picnic meadow on your left. Go through the gate and through a small wooded area and past a cottage towards a quiet road. Take a right turn and follow the road up a slight incline towards the village of Carnbee.

Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle
Kellie Caslte Garden
Kellie Castle
Kellie Castle Garden

The road will give you views across the Firth of Forth to the south and in spring and summer skylarks can often be found hovering overhead. Carnbee consists of a church, old schoolhouse which is now a private house and a farm. Take a look around the churchyard. You will find some old gravestones which will give you an idea of the people who lived in the area and what they were employed as. Carnbee Church has a place in my family as it was the church where my uncle and aunt were married.

Kellie Castle
View of the Bass Rock from the quiet road.
Kellie Castle
Follow the road towards Carnbee
Kellie Castle
in the centre of the village is the old war memorial
Kellie Castle
Old Schoolhouse Carnbee
Kellie Castle
Carnbee Church

Kellie Law

From Carnbee follow the road up the hill past Carnbee Farm on your right. Just past the farm and a red pan tiled building on the right you will find a track off to the left. Follow this track until you come to a gate. Go through the gate. The path will take you through a cow field with a small hillock to your right, Carnbee Law and a Reservoir. Take a left turn and start the climb towards the white trig point on the top of Kellie Law. As you climb the views get better and better. On top you are treated to a truly spectacular view of the East Neuk of Fife and across the Forth towards the Isle of May, Bass Rock, Berwick Law and Edinburgh. To the north there are excellent views over the open countryside. This is the time to get your binoculars out and see what you can spot. Or eat any food you may have brought with you.

Kellie Castle
After Carnbee take a right and proceed up the small incline
Kellie Castle
Follow the farm track towards Kellie Law
Kellie Castle
At the top of Kellie Law you will find white trig point
Kellie Castle
Isle of May from Kellie Law

After the trig point proceed west and down the other side of the hill towards a farm track. Turn left and go through the large metal gate remembering to close this behind you. Proceed down the farm road towards Kellie Castle which you will see within the trees.. At the end of the farm road you will come to the road you walked up at the start of the walk. Cross the road back into the castle grounds.

Kellie Castle
Follow the farm track back towards the castle

Where to Eat

Kellie Castle itself has a cafe serving coffee, tea, drinks, sandwiches and light lunches throughout the day. You will not be charged an entry fee for the castle if you just want to eat in the cafe.

If you would like to find out more about walks in the East Neuk click on our walking page which is regularly updated with new walks we have done in the area. You will find this on the front page of our website www.2crail.com

Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail

If you would like to find out more about staying at Sandcastle Cottage then click this link and take a look inside, Alternatively if you are looking for availability and prices click the book now button at the bottom of this page.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sandcastle Cottage.

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