The Castle is only four miles from the Forth Road Bridge, is very well placed for Edinburgh, Edinburgh Airport and the motorway network of central Scotland. There is a commuter rail station at Inverkeithinig (3 miles) and a new ferry service is about to be launched from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh Leith.
There are many activities within a short distance including sailing, golf and National Hunt racing at Perth. Stalking, shooting and fishing are available on many estates in Fife and Perthshire.
Crossgates village is about 3 miles away and has a local shop and post office. Dunfermline provides a wider range of shops, and services.
Edinburgh is the cultural centre of Scotland and has a full range of shops, amenities and schools with further private schooling at Glenalmond, Strathallan, Dollar Academy, Cargilfield and Kilgraston for girls, all within a short distance.
The Kingdom of Fife is well known for its interesting and diverse countryside, beautiful coastline and beaches and in particular for St Andrews with its University and world famous golf courses.
DESCRIPTION
Fordell is a magnificent castle dating from 1210 and listed for its historic importance. The first owners a Flemish family called de Camera who were granted the lands for fighting in the Fourth Crusade.
Throughout the castle there are many original features influenced by the de Camera family; most notably, the stars and half moon mouldings on the ceiling in the dining room, master bedroom and bathroom are a reflection of the crusaders’ experience of Islam on their travels.
The castle subsequently passed to James Henderson of Fordell, when the lands of Fordell were given to the Henderson family by King James IV in 1511. The property was then extended to its present size in 1567, following the levelling of the original castle after a fire. A four-storey oblong fortified house was created with stair wings on the north west and south east corners of the building with corbelled turrets above.
During the late 16th century, the Hendersons began working coal from their estates which came to form the basis of their wealth.
During the Civil War of the 1640/50s the Castle was used as a Garrison by Oliver Cromwell’s troops. Shortly afterwards, Sir John Henderson II of Fordell rebuilt St Theriot's Chapel which had fallen into ruin.
In 1937 the estate was inherited by John Hampden Mercer-Henderson, 8th Earl of Buckinghamshire (1906-63). In 1953, he sold off much of the estate leaving only the castle and 73 acres which were then sold to Sir Nicholas Fairbairn in 1961. Sir Nicholas, as well as being one of the most colorful politicians of his day, was also chairman of Historic Scotland -- the body that safeguards Scotland’s heritage. His knowledge and empathy for historic buildings meant that the restoration of the castle and gardens was carried out sympathetically but also with great flair.
On Sir Nicholas’s death the castle was left to his second wife Lady Sam Fairbairn, who then sold the castle. A further 137 acres of contiguous forest land were added to the property after Sir Nicholas’s death.
The current owners bought the property in 1999 and have invested a great deal in restoring Fordell Castle. Internally, every room has undergone extensive restoration, including most notably the importation of a series of solid oak and Carrera marble flooring. They are also responsible for the restoration and fit out of the magnificent chapel with its 17th century stained glass roundels and original crypt in the chapel.
The owners of Fordell Castle are entitled to refer to themselves as the Baron/Baroness of Fordell. The Barony of Fordell will not be transferred to the purchaser automatically in terms of the usual Disposition but will instead have to be conveyed separately in terms of an Assignation.
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