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Coordinates: 56°17′04″N 3°13′39″W / 56.28446°N 3.22759°W / 56.28446; -3.22759
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Importing Wikidata short description: "Castle in Fife, Scotland, UK"
 
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{{Short description|Castle in Fife, Scotland, UK}}
[[Image:Myresgarden.jpg|thumb|230px|Garden of Myres Castle]]'''Myres Castle''' is a [[Scotland|Scottish castle]]<!-- looks like there is a need for a Scottish architecture article --> situated in [[Fife]] near the village of [[Auchtermuchty]] ({{gbmapping|NO241109}}). Its history is interleaved with that of nearby [[Falkland Palace]] with present day castle construction dating to 1530. The castle and magnificent Scottish garden are now operated as a private conference centre with lodging.
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
[[Image:Myresgarden.jpg|thumb|230px|Garden of Myres Castle]]'''Myres Castle''' is a [[Scottish castle]] situated in [[Fife]] near the village of [[Auchtermuchty]]. Its history is interleaved with that of nearby [[Falkland Palace]] with present-day castle construction dating to 1530. The castle and magnificent Scottish garden are now operated as a private conference centre with lodging.


==Name derivation and early history==
==Name derivation and early history==
Its history is intertwined with the nearby Falkland Palace, since Myres was the heritary home of the [[Ceremonial mace#Scotland|Mace]]rs, or [[John Scrimgeour of Myres|Sergeants of Arms]], of Falkland. The word "myres" is associated with a boggy place; in fact, Myres Castle is located within fields and policies with marginal drainage. Further drainage improvements to the fields were made as late as the 1970s. There exists an attractive pond in front of the Castle, which also serves to collect runoff. The lands of the present Myres estate originally part of the extensive properties of the [[Earl of Fife]], the Myres portion being converyed by marriage to Robert, [[Duke of Albany]]. In the year 1425, Murdoch, the son of Robert, forfeited the holding to the crown. From that time until the 16th century, the tenant farmers rents are recording in the rolls of the [[Exchequer#History of the Exchequer in Scotland|Royal Exchequer]], indicating continuing ownership of the king. The first recorded tenant of the south quarter of Auchtermuchty, known as "the myres", was Robert Coxwell who resided at the [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scottish Royal Court]].
Its history is intertwined with the nearby Falkland Palace, since Myres was the hereditary home of the [[Ceremonial mace#Scotland|Mace]]rs, or [[John Scrimgeour of Myres|Sergeants of Arms]], of Falkland. The word "myres" is associated with a boggy place; in fact, Myres Castle is located within fields and policies with marginal drainage. Further drainage improvements to the fields were made as late as the 1970s. There exists an attractive pond in front of the Castle, which also serves to collect runoff. The lands of the present Myres estate originally were part of the extensive properties of the [[Earl of Fife]], the Myres portion being conveyed by marriage to Robert, [[Duke of Albany]]. In the year 1425, Murdoch, the son of Robert, forfeited the holding to the crown. From that time until the 16th century, the tenant farmers' rents were recorded in the rolls of the [[Exchequer#History of the Exchequer in Scotland|Royal Exchequer]], indicating continued ownership by the king. The first recorded tenant of the south quarter of Auchtermuchty, known as "the myres", was Robert Coxwell who resided at the [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scottish Royal Court]].


==Architectural history from 1530==
==Architectural history from 1530==
The castle itself originated circa 1530 as a Z-plan fortress, perhaps designed by its owner [[John Scrimgeour of Myres|John Scrimgeour]], and has an [[ochre]] [[harl]]ed exterior with some exposed grey [[ashlar]] stonework on its square tower added in 1616. The tower is adorned with garland stonework, heraldic relief with carved initials and a parapet. The basement course appears to be an older, possibly 14th-century piece, due to its [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] [[barrel-vaulted]] construction, and clear architecture of a [[medieval]] kitchen. Further modifications took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1872 the building was repaired and slightly remodelled, Scots Baronial touches being added by [[James Campbell Walker]].<ref>Dictionary of Scottish Architects: Walker</ref>
The castle itself originated circa 1530 as a Z-plan fortress, perhaps designed by its owner [[John Scrimgeour of Myres|John Scrimgeour]], and has an [[ochre]] [[harl]]ed exterior with some exposed grey [[ashlar]] stonework on its square tower added in 1616. The tower is adorned with garland stonework, heraldic relief with carved initials and a parapet. The basement course appears to be an older, possibly 14th-century piece, due to its [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] [[barrel-vaulted]] construction, and clear architecture of a [[medieval]] kitchen. Further modifications took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. For example, the north wing was added c. 1700, and the west wing c. 1822.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/30292/myres-castle |title=Myres Castle |website=Historic Environment Scotland |access-date=4 September 2022 |quote=}}</ref>


In 1872 the building was repaired and slightly remodelled. Scots Baronial touches were added by [[James Campbell Walker]]. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spottinghistory.com/view/10648/myres-castle/ |title=Myres Castle |website=Spotting History |access-date=4 September 2022 |quote=}}</ref>
At the property entrance there is a detached [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] stone [[gatehouse]], which was inhabited as a residence up to at least 1997. The prize of Myres is a spectacular walled garden featuring gigantic [[topiary]] [[Taxus baccata|yew]] trees, elaborate [[herbaceous border]]s and a small fishpond. The garden walls exceed three metres in height and are probably of 17th-century origin.

At the property entrance there is a detached [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] stone [[gatehouse]], described in 2022 as containing a "bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, sitting room". Another building was a Courtyard Cottage with "3 bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen, shower room, WC". The grounds included a Vatican walled garden, a vegetable garden, greenhouse, maze, pond, tennis court and helicopter pad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbedrseds210327 |title=Myres Castle |website=Savills |access-date=4 September 2022 |quote=5 reception rooms, 10 bedrooms with bathrooms, family and catering kitchens}}</ref>


==20th century events==
==20th century events==
Myres is embedded among {{convert|44|acre|ha}} of gardens, farmlands and [[policies]]. The Fairlie family has been associated with Myres for some time. There are Fairlie memorabilia at Myres including shooting diaries as far back as 1903. A recording is noted in the year 1915 that James Olgilvy Reginald Fairlie, [[Chamberlain (office)|Chamberlain]] to His Majesty, resident of Myres was killed in action in [[World War I]]. His son was the distinguished Scot architect [[Reginald Fairlie]]. The castle was the home of the [[Fairlie]] family up until 1997; moreover, the policies, or wooded perimeter, were augmented with the prudent planting by Captain Reginald Rairlie in the early 1980s. At present Myres serves as a conference centre with nine deluxe bedrooms, but is being offered for sale by [[Savills]], together with its mature gardens and grounds, for £2.5M.<ref>[http://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbedrseds090310]</ref>
Myres is set amongst {{convert|44|acre|ha}} of gardens, farmlands and [[policies]]. The Fairlie family has been associated with Myres for some time. There are Fairlie memorabilia at Myres including shooting diaries as far back as 1903. A recording is noted in the year 1915 that James Ogilvy Reginald Fairlie, [[Chamberlain (office)|Chamberlain]] to His Majesty, resident of Myres was killed in action in [[World War I]]. His brother was the distinguished Scot architect [[Reginald Fairlie]].

David Fairlie owned the castle in the 1960's and completed some alterations. It was sold in 1999 and the new owner completed "a major refurbishment project ... adding 10 bathrooms, complete rewiring, plumbing and heating system".
In August 2022, the property was listed for sale. At the time, it was being used as a private home and as a venue that could be rented.
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbedrseds210327 |title=Myres Castle |website=Savills |access-date=4 September 2022 |quote=5 reception rooms, 10 bedrooms with bathrooms, family and catering kitchens}}</ref>


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
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{{coord|56.28446|N|3.22759|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(NO241109)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->
{{coord|56.28446|N|3.22759|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(NO241109)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->


<!--undercroft only survives as Romaneseque-->

[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1530]]
[[Category:Castles in Fife]]
[[Category:Castles in Fife]]
[[Category:Category B listed buildings in Fife]]
[[Category:Category B listed buildings in Fife]]
[[Category:Listed castles in Scotland]]
[[Category:Listed castles in Scotland]]
[[Category:Country houses in Fife]]
[[Category:Country houses in Fife]]
[[Category:Romanesque architecture in Scotland]]<!--undercroft only survives as Romaneseque-->
[[Category:Romanesque architecture in Scotland]]
[[Category:14th-century architecture]]
[[Category:1530 establishments in Scotland]]

Latest revision as of 22:27, 30 September 2023

Garden of Myres Castle

Myres Castle is a Scottish castle situated in Fife near the village of Auchtermuchty. Its history is interleaved with that of nearby Falkland Palace with present-day castle construction dating to 1530. The castle and magnificent Scottish garden are now operated as a private conference centre with lodging.

Name derivation and early history

[edit]

Its history is intertwined with the nearby Falkland Palace, since Myres was the hereditary home of the Macers, or Sergeants of Arms, of Falkland. The word "myres" is associated with a boggy place; in fact, Myres Castle is located within fields and policies with marginal drainage. Further drainage improvements to the fields were made as late as the 1970s. There exists an attractive pond in front of the Castle, which also serves to collect runoff. The lands of the present Myres estate originally were part of the extensive properties of the Earl of Fife, the Myres portion being conveyed by marriage to Robert, Duke of Albany. In the year 1425, Murdoch, the son of Robert, forfeited the holding to the crown. From that time until the 16th century, the tenant farmers' rents were recorded in the rolls of the Royal Exchequer, indicating continued ownership by the king. The first recorded tenant of the south quarter of Auchtermuchty, known as "the myres", was Robert Coxwell who resided at the Scottish Royal Court.

Architectural history from 1530

[edit]

The castle itself originated circa 1530 as a Z-plan fortress, perhaps designed by its owner John Scrimgeour, and has an ochre harled exterior with some exposed grey ashlar stonework on its square tower added in 1616. The tower is adorned with garland stonework, heraldic relief with carved initials and a parapet. The basement course appears to be an older, possibly 14th-century piece, due to its Romanesque barrel-vaulted construction, and clear architecture of a medieval kitchen. Further modifications took place in the 17th and 18th centuries. For example, the north wing was added c. 1700, and the west wing c. 1822.[1]

In 1872 the building was repaired and slightly remodelled. Scots Baronial touches were added by James Campbell Walker. [2]

At the property entrance there is a detached Victorian stone gatehouse, described in 2022 as containing a "bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, sitting room". Another building was a Courtyard Cottage with "3 bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen, shower room, WC". The grounds included a Vatican walled garden, a vegetable garden, greenhouse, maze, pond, tennis court and helicopter pad.[3]

20th century events

[edit]

Myres is set amongst 44 acres (18 ha) of gardens, farmlands and policies. The Fairlie family has been associated with Myres for some time. There are Fairlie memorabilia at Myres including shooting diaries as far back as 1903. A recording is noted in the year 1915 that James Ogilvy Reginald Fairlie, Chamberlain to His Majesty, resident of Myres was killed in action in World War I. His brother was the distinguished Scot architect Reginald Fairlie.

David Fairlie owned the castle in the 1960's and completed some alterations. It was sold in 1999 and the new owner completed "a major refurbishment project ... adding 10 bathrooms, complete rewiring, plumbing and heating system". In August 2022, the property was listed for sale. At the time, it was being used as a private home and as a venue that could be rented. [4]

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Myres Castle". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Myres Castle". Spotting History. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Myres Castle". Savills. Retrieved 4 September 2022. 5 reception rooms, 10 bedrooms with bathrooms, family and catering kitchens
  4. ^ "Myres Castle". Savills. Retrieved 4 September 2022. 5 reception rooms, 10 bedrooms with bathrooms, family and catering kitchens

56°17′04″N 3°13′39″W / 56.28446°N 3.22759°W / 56.28446; -3.22759