Struthers Castle

Struthers Castle is a confusing ruin which appears to be that of a tower house and courtyard that underwent considerable modification, but it is not possible to accurately date or properly phase the castle. The ruins are on high ground within a field used by livestock that belongs to the farm of the same name. Access is possible but not straightforward.

Struthers had a castle in 1373 when it was granted to the Lindsays by the Bishop of St Andrews, and it remained one of that family’s principal estates in Fife into the 17th century at least, when it was described as a “large old house” suggesting that by this time much of the martial trappings of the old castle had vanished, although it was depicted with two towers and a courtyard in 1684. This may have happened in 1616 as suggested by MacGibbon and Ross, in 1633 when Lord Lindsay became Earl of Lindsay, or 1644 when he became Earl of Crawford. It may have been damaged during this period, although the Jacobite period seems to have seen the end of permanent occupation. Soon after it passed to the Earl of Glasgow, it was recorded as being in ruins, but had probably been so for some time.

HES Canmore database entry