Couston Castle

An L-plan tower house in S Fife, Couston Castle overlooks Otterston Loch a mile (1.5 km) northeast of Dalgety Bay and 2 miles (3 km) west of Aberdour. Originally a late-Mediaeval structure, most of what can be seen today dates from the late 16th century. It has a round stair-tower on the inside angle and was extended in the 18th century. Part of its southern aspect was demolished in the 1830s to provide stone for nearby farm buildings.

Built on lands granted in 1199 to Robert de London, an illegitimate son of King William the Lion (1143 - 1214), the castle was the property of the Logans of Restalrig, later passing to the Earls of Moray. It was home to Rev. Robert Blair, an outspoken critic of the Episcopalian system and tutor to King Charles I, who died here in 1666.

In 1985, after having lain derelict for many years, the castle was subject to an award-winning restoration by Ian Begg converting it into a comfortable family home. A further refurbishment and extension were completed in 2002.

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