Royal Burgh of Culross

Take the kids to the Royal Burgh of Culross for an historic day out. The old village of Culross is the most complete example of a burgh of the 17th and 18th centuries in Scotland, and is often used as a location in film and TV productions.

A visit to Culross is a step back in time, it’s white houses with red pantile roofs, stepped gables and outside staircases border the cobbled streets which run uphill from the market cross to the abbey. The striking ochre-coloured palace commands the centre of the town, complete with it’s faithfully recreated kitchen garden, and famous, rare Scots Dumpy hens. Inside the palace, with it’s small rooms and network of passages, you can see original painted woodwork and ceilings and beautifully restored 17th and 18th-century interiors. The palace was never a royal residence, but the home of a wealthy merchant, built as a display of prosperity and status.

In the 17^th century Culross was a prosperous and busy harbour town, ideally located on the Firth of Forth and with established trading links with Europe. Local industries including salt-panning, coal-mining and girdle-making also contributed to the wealth of the area.

In addition to the Palace, the Trust also maintains the Town House, once the legal and commercial centre, and the Study, which you can visit by pre-booked guided tour only