Scottish castle on shores of Otterston Loch on sale for £2.6million

A historic Scottish castle on the shores of Otterston Loch which dates back to the 16th century has hit the market.

The fairytale Couston Castle, in Aberdour, Fife, spans over more than five acres with stunning views over the loch. It has been maintained to a high standard, complete with high-end modern amenities.

The five-bedroom property has a gym suite with sauna and wet room, a cinema room and oak-panelled drawing room. Outside, the stone and gravel courtyard leads to a triple garage and a fully equipped guest/staff flat above.

The landscaped grounds feature lawns, an orchard, outdoor kitchen, play area, dog kennels, gardener’s compound, and a two-storey barn with modern utilities.

It’s on the market with Knight Frank for £2,650,000.

In the 1980s, businessman Alastair Harper bought the ruins of Couston Castle and, with Scottish architect Ian Begg, rebuilt it using original stone from Otterston Loch and leftover rubble, preserving the original layout. Their work earned a Saltire Society Award in 1988.

Couston has a rich history. In the late 12th century, Robert de London, an illegitimate son of King William the Lion, granted Couston and other lands in Fife to Roger Frebern. By the 16th century, Couston was a fortified castle protected by artillery.

In the 17th century, James V granted a charter to James Logan of Couston, and the castle was remodelled into a layout similar to its current form. In the 1660s, Reverend Robert Blair, a professor at Glasgow University, resided at the castle after being banished from St Andrews for his covenanting views; he died there in 1666.

The castle fell into disrepair in the early 19th century and was dismantled in the 1840s for farm building materials. For over a century, only fragments remained, including a 17th-century doorway and stair base, before it was bought by Harper in the 80s.

The current owners have further upgraded the property, adding a modern kitchen, bathrooms, and high-quality finishes.

‘Couston is a quite a rarity as castles go,’ Tom Stewart-Moore, from Knight Frank said.

‘Not only is in excellent order with a lovely loch setting and a feel of total isolation in the middle of nowhere but it is located only 15 miles from Edinburgh airport and a 35 minute drive from Edinburgh city centre.’

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