Garleton Castle

This is an early 18th-century farmhouse, likely later divided into two dwellings. It was built into the remains of a ruinous 16th-century castle, situated at the southwest angle of the courtyard. The farmhouse is two stories high with three bays, and incorporates extensive vaulted cellars at ground level. It is constructed of random rubble, with lower walls possibly incorporating earlier castle masonry, and renewed dressings in red sandstone.

The north elevation features an entrance via a stone forestair leading to a terrace. There are two central doorways and two outer windows on the facade. Large doorways lead to the cellars below, on both the north and west sides.

The south elevation is dominated by a central, semi-circular stair tower with a window on the first floor, and smaller flanking windows; one is blocked, and one has iron bars, with gunloops situated below near ground level. A taller, single window sits to the left at the first floor.

On the east elevation, there is a later window at first floor level, with smaller openings above, one of which has an iron bar.

The roof is covered in red pantiles, with a semi-circular roof over the stair tower. The gables are crowstepped, and ridge and gable end stacks have been renewed in brick.

The ruinous shell of the castle survives to a height of two stories at the northeast of the courtyard, including part of a round tower and curtain walls. The castle’s vaulted basement contains gunloops and evidence of fireplaces, and window openings are visible at first floor level.

The castle was possibly built by the Seton family of Garleton, and later passed to the Wemyss Estate in 1724. The property is believed to be the birthplace of the poet Sir David Lyndsay, around 1490. Nineteenth-century single-story cottages now occupy the north side of the courtyard. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.