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The Great Britain Guide

Palaces · Central Scotland

Monimail Tower

In or near Kingskettle.

♿ Wheelchair: limited4.3 · 39 Google reviews

Monimail Tower in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.

Walled garden - geograph.org.uk - 4338758

James Allan — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence

Plan your visit

Typical visit
2 h–3 h
Nearest railway station
Ladybank · 4.5 km
  • Family-friendly
  • Limited wheelchair access

Getting there & planning your visit

Monimail Tower is located in Fife, with the nearest railway station being Ladybank, approximately 4.5 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is KY15 7RJ. Accessibility is limited for wheelchair users.

Directions on Google Maps →

About

Monimail Tower is a place of interest in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom — drawn from open-data sources for visitor reference. See the linked Wikipedia article for the full description.

Photo gallery

Heritage listing

The Palace of Monimail, also known as Monimail Tower, was a Renaissance palace in Fife, Scotland. A residence of the Archbishops of St Andrews from the 13th century, in the early 17th century Monimail became a chief seat of the Melville family. Lord Monimail is one of the subsidiary titles of the Leslie-Melville Earls of Leven. It was abandoned in the late 17th century and subsequently most of the palace was demolished.

From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.

From the Wikipedia article

The Palace of Monimail, also known as Monimail Tower, was a Renaissance palace in Fife, Scotland. A residence of the Archbishops of St Andrews from the 13th century, in the early 17th century Monimail became a chief seat of the Melville family. Lord Monimail is one of the subsidiary titles of the Leslie-Melville Earls of Leven. It was abandoned in the late 17th century and subsequently most of the palace was demolished. One tower remains standing in the grounds of Melville House near the village of Monimail, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of Ladybank.

Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.

Background

History

Monimail Palace was situated at the junction of the main roads between St. Andrews, Perth and Stirling, overlooking the Howe of Fife. This would have made Monimail an attractive property for the Bishops of St Andrews and from the time of its earliest documentation (1206), Monimail was an estate belonging to the bishop. Around 1319 William Lamberton (Bishop of St. Andrews 1298–1328) constructed a manor house of some quality at Monimail "in the period of stability that followed Bannockburn".

Description

According to legend the Palace was built by its most famous inhabitant: Cardinal David Beaton (c.1494–1546). However, recent research suggests that the building is in fact the work of his uncle, and predecessor as Archbishop of St Andrews, James Beaton (1473–1539). Monimail is described in this era as "a comfortable, if quiet, country residence, capable of accommodating the elite and their entourages." Church records show that it was the favourite residence of James and David Beaton after St Andrews itself. James Beaton went to the expense of importing fruit trees from France to plant in the gardens. In 1564 Archbishop Hamilton sold Monimail to Sir James Balfour of Pittendriech. By this…

Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Coordinates
56.3140, -3.1358
District
Fife
Postcode
KY15 7RJ
Parliamentary constituency
North East Fife
Nearest railway station
Ladybank4.5 km
Official site
monimailtower.org

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

Walled garden - geograph.org.uk - 4338758📷 5

Historic churches · Central Scotland

Old Parish Church and Burial Ground, Monimail

Old Parish Church and Burial Ground, Monimail — category B listed building-listed church in scotland-central, United Kingdom.

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Walled garden - geograph.org.uk - 4338758📷 5

Villages · Central Scotland

Monimail

Monimail — a village in scotland central.

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Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland

Monument to West of Walled Garden, Melville House

Monument to West of Walled Garden, Melville House — category B listed building-listed memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom.

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Palaces · Central Scotland

Melville House

Melville House in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.

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Historic churches · Central Scotland

Monimail Parish Church

Monimail Parish Church — category B listed building-listed church in scotland-central, United Kingdom.

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Memorials & monuments · Central Scotland

Monument at the Ladies' Seat

Monument at the Ladies' Seat — a memorial in scotland-central, United Kingdom.

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Where to eat & stay near Monimail Tower

Places to stay

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Caravan parks · Central Scotland

Annsmuir Caravan Park

Annsmuir Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland central.

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Hotels · Central Scotland

Lomond Hills Hotel

Lomond Hills Hotel — a hotel in scotland central.

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Caravan parks · Central Scotland

The Clink

The Clink — a caravan park in scotland central.

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Campsites · Central Scotland

Ring Farm Camping

Ring Farm Camping — a campsite in scotland central.

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Campsites · Central Scotland

Pillars of Hercules

Pillars of Hercules — a campsite in scotland central.

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Hotels · Central Scotland

Meldrum's Hotel

Meldrum's Hotel — a hotel in scotland central.

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Places to eat & drink

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Historic pubs · Central Scotland

Coaltown of Balgonie

Coaltown of Balgonie in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.

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Historic pubs · Central Scotland

57, 59, 61 West Port, Dundee

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Historic pubs · Central Scotland

Dynamo Dundee

Dynamo Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

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Historic pubs · Central Scotland

Public House, 15 Dock Street, Dundee

Public House, 15 Dock Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

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Historic pubs · Central Scotland

The Pillars Bar, 9, 11 Crichton Street, Dundee

The Pillars Bar, 9, 11 Crichton Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

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Historic pubs · Central Scotland

The Stance and Drum Public House, 16 Dock Street, Dundee

The Stance and Drum Public House, 16 Dock Street, Dundee in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Monimail Tower?
Monimail Tower is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode KY15 7RJ).
What is Monimail Tower?
Monimail Tower in Scotland Islands, United Kingdom.
How do I get to Monimail Tower?
The nearest railway station is Ladybank, about 4.5 km away. Drivers can use postcode KY15 7RJ.
Is Monimail Tower a listed building?
Monimail Tower is officially recognised as category A listed building listed.
Does Monimail Tower charge admission?
Monimail Tower typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
How do I get to Monimail Tower?
The nearest railway station is Ladybank, about 4.5 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode KY15 7RJ.