Wemyss Castle

Wemyss Castle is an irregularly planned house built over several campaigns, beginning in the late 15th century and possibly incorporating earlier fabric. The castle comprises a rectangular tower to the west and a round (Gilbert) tower to the north, with 16th century additions within the original curtain wall. A significant 1670 L-plan extension to the south was added by David 2nd Earl Wemyss with Robert Mylne, master mason. In the mid-19th century, Lord Randolph Wemyss commissioned a saloon and baronial porch that enclose the courtyard to the northwest; the 17th century parapets were removed during this work. Peddie & Kinnear made additions between 1874 and 1876, partly removed later. Sir Robert Lorimer converted a 16th century barrel-vaulted basement to the southeast into a memorial chapel in 1897. Restoration began in the 1930s under A Stewart Tod, including a new entrance tower and removal of 19th century additions, with further restoration continuing under Charles Tod.

The rectangular tower is constructed of squared ashlar. The remainder of the castle is built of coursed and random rubble, formerly harled, with ashlar margins, some raised. Features include part base and cill courses, a ground floor balustrade, and a flat roof. Shaped dormer heads and corbel courses are present throughout.

The northwest (entrance) elevation is a rambling 3-storey facade with bays grouped 4-2-8-2. A recessed 8-bay block stands to the right of centre with a door to the outer right, and 6 regularly-fenestrated bays to the left with a 20th century stone balustraded parapet above the ground floor. A small entrance tower sits in the re-entrant angle to the left, with a door below a window and a carved panel on its return to the right, and windows to the ground and 1st floor leading to a clock and finalled bellcast roof. Projecting tower-like bays to the outer right display 2 windows to the ground floor and a carved panel at 1st floor level, with blinded openings to the 1st and 2nd floors. The original tower projects to the left of centre with a door at ground level, 2 small (stair) windows above, and 2 further windows at 2nd floor level. A lower pitch-roofed block (16th century) to the left of centre contains a basement and attic, with 4 irregularly disposed windows to the 1st floor, 5 windows to the 2nd floor, and 3 small leaded dormer windows with carved curvilinear pediments in the steeply pitched roof. A low conical-roofed round (Gilbert) tower stands at the outer left angle with windows to the ground and 1st floor, a deeply corbelled parapet, and a dormer window matching those above.

The southwest elevation is a 6-bay, 3-storey and laigh floor composition with vertical emphasis. A square tower projects to the outer right with a stepped base (seat) below a pedimented carved stone panel, and narrow windows to each floor above; a door is positioned on the return to the left. Two set-back bays to the left have a door to the right and a window to the left at laigh floor level, with regular fenestration to each floor above. Further set-back bays to the outer left display 4 windows to the laigh floor, 3 larger windows to the ground floor, and 4 further windows to the 1st and 2nd floors.

The southeast (seaward) elevation presents a variety of elements to an obtusely angled facade with largely regular fenestration. A square tower stands to the outer left. A vaulted laigh floor has been converted to a chapel, with a door positioned immediately to the left of a low, corbelled drum tower (16th century). This gives way to an angled, set-back rectangular stage with blinded openings, followed by further regular bays (16th century) extending to the right. A gazebo with an 'Aberdour' arch and ball-finalled balustrade projects eastward from the base of the tower.

The northeast elevation is unsighted, built over a steeply falling rock face, with a variety of elements including a dungeon entrance, the Gilbert tower to the outer right, and a further rounded angle to the outer left.

Windows throughout employ 12- and 15-pane glazing patterns in timber sash and case frames. The roof is covered in grey slates. Chimneys and skews are of coped and plain ashlar.

Interior features include vaulted towers and laigh floor chambers. A vaulted chamber, possibly a bottle-dungeon or game larder, is accessed from an angled passage north of the courtyard and has a sloping floor. The kitchen contains a panel of local sandstone measuring 3 feet 4 inches by 2 feet 8 inches bearing a relief carving of 'Carrying the Cross', with the reverse carved with figures of the Virgin Mary and St John, each distinguished by a nimbus. The present dining room was converted from a Victorian billiard room and includes a new external stair with local ironwork. The Second Drawing Room and White Sitting Room retain late 19th century ceilings (copies of the 1st floor bedroom ceiling), with marble fireplaces installed in the 20th century. An oak dog-leg staircase with oak-panelled walls stands at the north end of the 17th century wing.

The 1st floor state apartment features late 17th century plaster ceilings and early 18th century pine panelling. The King's Bedroom ceiling is compartmentalised by foliaged strapwork with small pendants, and contains relief casts of Kings David and Alexander in compartments. The adjoining dressing room in the southeast tower also has a compartmented ceiling with a border of acanthus leaf pendants and thistles, roses and fleur-de-lis to the frieze. The southwest bedroom ceiling is decorated with a star, cherubs holding roses, and fleur-de-lis.

The chapel occupies a 16th century barrel-vaulted cellar, which was converted to a kitchen in the 17th century and then to a memorial chapel by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1897. The walls feature blind arcading. A recumbent white marble figure of Mrs Millicent Erskine Wemyss, carved by Princess Louise, is displayed within. Two life-size effigies of a knight in armour and a lady in contemporary costume are also present. The glass and altarpiece were designed by Louis David.

An 18th century wrought-iron gate with decorative panels displays the Wemyss family crest and was brought from Hallanby Hall, Yorkshire; side supports were added by Charles Tod.

The terraced garden was landscaped by Thomas White around 1800.