Raith


(Raith House)

A fine mansion and estate in Fife, Raith lies a mile (1.5 km) west of Kirkcaldy. The estate was acquired in the 17th century by the Fergusons who built Raith House in 1693-96. The architect was James Smith (1645 - 1731), who is said to have consulted Sir William Bruce on the designs. In 1785, James Playfair (1755-94) was responsible for extending and remodelling the house. The estate is somewhat denuded through the development of housing estates in late 20th century.

Raith Tower to the west of Raith House is a 19th-century folly. Robert Ferguson of Raith (1767 - 1840), a Member of Parliament and Lord Lieutenant of Fife, is remembered for having a scandalous affair with Lady Elgin and being successfully sued for £10,000 by Lord Elgin of Elgin Marbles fame. Raith remains in the same family, now the Munro-Fergusons. Raith lends its name to Raith Rovers, a local football team whose home ground is at Stark's Park in Kirkcaldy.


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