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MacDuff Castle ruins partially lost to visitors due to Fife Council trees

Councillor John O'Brien and Irene Bray of East Wemyss Community Council at MacDuff Castle.
Councillor John O'Brien and Irene Bray of East Wemyss Community Council at MacDuff Castle. Image: Mhairi Edwards / DCThomson.

An 11th century Fife castle is invisible to passers-by after being obscured by trees.

The ruins of MacDuff Castle in East Wemyss have been hidden from the road for a number of years, despite ongoing calls from the community.

The former home of the MacDuff Earls of Fife, the once prominent remains are said to be haunted by the ghost of a grey lady.

The ruins of MacDuff Castle in East Wemyss
The ruins of MacDuff Castle in East Wemyss are said to be haunted. Image: Mhairi Edwards / DC Thomson.

They overlook the Firth of Forth on one side and East Wemyss village on the other.

And, together with the nearby Wemyss Caves, the castle is an important draw for visitors to the area.

Until around five years ago, the facade could be seen from the A955 which runs through the village.

But trees planted beside the nearby cemetery by Fife Council have since grown up in front of it.

While the council says it plans to trim them back over the winter, locals are sceptical.

SNP councillor John O’Brien said: “They’ve been saying that for the last five years.

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

Visitors can’t find MacDuff Castle

Irene Bray of East Wemyss Community Council said visitors were confused.

“We had an incident where a couple from abroad came to see the cemetery and somebody had told them it was right next to MacDuff Castle,” she said.

MacDuff Castle is next to the village cemetery. Image Mhairi Edwards/ DC Thomson.

“They were back and forward and eventually phoned their friend to say they couldn’t see the castle anywhere.

“That’s because of all the trees.

“You can still see it from the shore but it’s part of East Wemyss and we want to bring it back into the village.”

The community council is one of several groups calling for the council to cut the trees.

“We’ve been on at them for I don’t know how many years but it’s been one excuse after another,” said Mrs Bray.

Fife Council plans for the trees

Mr O’Brien said villagers had been given the run around.

“We keep asking the same questions and the council gives us the same answers but then nothing happens,” he said.

“It’s embarrassing for me as a councillor to go along to these community meetings with no answers.

“The castle is an asset and we need to make the most of it.”

Fife Council said it had started the process to reduce the height of the trees.

Bereavement services lead officer Avril Guild said: “We’re currently waiting on quotes for the work to be carried out and are looking to have it completed over the winter/spring period.”

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