MacDuffs Castle

MacDuffs Castle – as far as I can tell – has nothing to do with the MacDuffs, It is a ruined tower-keep and courtyard on top of a steep coastal slope just east of East Wemyss, and accessed by a public footpath. It is, unfortunately, used as a local drinking den. The old tower is supposed to date to the late 14th century but is probably a bit later, the courtyard is 16th century.

The lands were held by the Wemyss family, and passed with marriage to the Livingstones in the late 14th century, then to James Hamilton of Finnart, who carried out a land exchange with the Colvilles of Ochiltree. It was most likely the Colvilles who added the courtyard and upgraded the defences to permit defence by guns. When the castle was bought by Lord Wemyss in the latter 17th century it was allowed to decline and eventually fell into ruin.

HES Canmore database entry