Lochleven Castle is a ruined castle on an island on Loch Leven near the town of Kinross. It has been central to two significant periods in Scotland’s history.

Built around 1300, the tall tower house that dominates the castle is one of Scotland’s oldest. It was the site of military action during the Wars of Scottish Independence. King Robert the Bruce visited Lochleven when it was one of only five castles holding out against the English.

By the end of the 14th century the castle was granted to William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas and it remained in his family for the next 300 years.

Mary Queen of Scots had been a frequent guest after her return from France in 1560 and she famously debated religion in Scotland with Protestant reformer John Knox here.

However her return to the castle in 1567 was as a religious prisoner.  It is believed a miscarriage she suffered on the island was as a result of poisoning and she was forced to abdicate as Monarch of Scotland in favour of her infant son, James VI.

Mary made multiple attempts to escape. One audacious and almost successful attempt was when she pretended to be a laundress. One of her ladies took her place inside the castle as she boarded the boat to shore. But she was recognised by the boatman and returned to the castle.

In 1588, the queen’s prisoner inherited the title of Earl of Morton and moved away from Loch Leven. By 1675 Sir William Bruce owned the castle but didn’t take up residency and the castle fell into disrepair.

Access is available is via a small ferry that shuttles back and froth from Pier Road Kinross in the summer months.