Balbirnie Park

A 168 ha (415 acre) country park to the northwest of Markinch in Fife, Balbirnie Park has within its bounds an outstanding collection of rhododendrons, an 18-hole golf course, a caravan park and the Balbirnie Craft Centre where clothing, furniture and other crafts are manufactured.

It was once part of an historic estate dating from the 14th Century, its focal point is the impressive Balbirnie House which was converted into a deluxe hotel in 1989. Built by the Balfour family in the 17th century, the house was given a Greek classical frontage in 1777-82 and substantially enlarged in 1815-19.

At the North end of the park lies the 3000-year-old Balbirnie stone circle, excavated in 1970-71 and relocated some 125m (410 feet) from its original position in order to make way for road-widening.

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