Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland)

Non-profit organization · Fife

Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland)

Non-profit organization · Fife

1

Palace, Culross, Dunfermline KY12 8JH, United Kingdom

Photos

Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by Photo by Szymon Mucha / Shutterstock
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null
Royal Burgh of Culross (National Trust for Scotland) by null

Highlights

Culross is a captivating 17th-century royal burgh, where cobbled streets, charming white-harled houses, and lush gardens transport you back in time.  

Placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder

Palace, Culross, Dunfermline KY12 8JH, United Kingdom Get directions

nts.org.uk
@nationaltrustforscotland

Information

Static Map

Palace, Culross, Dunfermline KY12 8JH, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 1383 880359
nts.org.uk
@nationaltrustforscotland
𝕏
@n_t_s

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance
crowd family friendly

Last updated

Jul 28, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@afar

"Culross is Scotland ’s most complete example of a 17th-century burgh, featuring white-harled houses, cobbled streets, a hilltop abbey, and an ocher-colored palace. Visitors can wander along the charming streets, once filled with the hustle and bustle of a thriving port on the River Forth, then explore Culross Palace, with its tiny rooms, connecting passageways, and painted ceilings. You can even buy freshly grown herbs, fruits, and vegetables from the organic palace garden while visiting with the rare Scots Dumpy hens. One of the most picturesque villages in Scotland, Culross has served as a regular shooting location for the TV series Outlander ."

Wood grain pattern
The Essential Guide to Fife and Angus
View Postcard for The Royal Burgh of Culross

April L

Google
Culross has such a charming, old-style feel—very cute, though smaller than I expected. The palace garden was my favourite part: peaceful and beautifully laid out, even though the weather wasn’t great during my visit. The whole experience was relaxing, like a little step back in time. A lovely place to explore if you enjoy history and quiet spots.

Sue Ruddick

Google
Beautiful place the cobbled streets are adorned with these gorgeous buildings renovated by National trust Scotland to a very high standard. A walk to the top of the village to see the church with its stained glass windows then bac down the hill to the beach where you can walk over the railway line to an old pier.

Kellina Pinar

Google
TL;DR: Culross is a charming and peaceful royal burgh with stunning pier views, making it a perfect stop to unwind after an Outlander tour. Culross was the ideal way to end our incredible Outlander bus tour with Rabbie’s. This sleepy royal burgh, with its well-preserved historic buildings and cobbled streets, felt like stepping back in time. While we didn’t have many shops to visit during our stop, simply walking around and taking in the atmosphere was a treat. The highlight was the breathtaking views from the pier, offering a perfect moment of quiet reflection after a day of exploring.

The Olive Tree Family

Google
Absolutely gem of a place to walk around a spend a few hours in. Like a step back in time! See our full video review on our experience under The Olive Tree Family on all social media platforms.

Andrew Thomas

Google
Charming historic village with a fine collection of preserved 17th and 18th century buildings. Culross is characterized by narrow cobbled streets, steep alleyways and colourful buildings, and is a credit to National Trust Scotland. Highlights to look out for include the Townhouse, Mercat Cross, Abbey and Pier. It's worth spending some time exploring the village; its quaint streets are some of the prettiest in the UK. There's free parking at the edge of the village, and a couple of nice cafés and shops. There's a pleasant coastal walk, with good views across the Forth. It's also worth walking up the steps to the viewpoint above the Hanging Garden.

Peter Boyd

Google
Not cheap - £45 for serviced pitch / friendly and helpful staff at reception / well maintained and quiet (apart from 30,000 kids !!) / Castle well worth a visit

Yvonne Rowe

Google
Like stepping back in time! Lovely village, great to wander through the streets & wander up to the abbey- just a few shops, nice view across the water. Did the tour - well worth a visit

Sen Sen Lin Quan

Google
A beautiful place to visit. The interior and exterior were both very interesting. They have an amazing garden that is a must to visit with the whole view of the burgh. Definitely very picturesque with lots of interesting plants.
google avatar

Catriona C.

Yelp
I can't say much more about Culross that Deborah M. hasn't said, but it's a stunning little town in Fife that is beautifully conserved. From the Abbey ruins at the top of the hill running down past the Hanging Gardens, and with lovely little galleries at the bottom, it's a great place to spend a couple of hours. Just a shame you have a view of Grangemouth on the other side, but I think that just about captures the idiosyncracy of Scotland!
google avatar

Deborah M.

Yelp
Truly amazing NTS property comprising an entire 17th century town, its fabric lovingly preserved. Back in the day, Sir George Bruce of Carnock was an innovator and a bit of a shrewd businessman. He oversaw the first modern approach to coal mining and was heavily involved in shipping and import-export to the Netherlands. Signs of this are in the architecture throughout the town as it exists today. The Palace itself was Bruce's family residence and is as it was. Truly atmospheric 17th and 18th century furnishings. Most of the murals are very old. The surrounding gardens are a treat. The hourly tour (free with admission) takes you on a ramble through the cobbled town and into the town hall, the Bishop's house and to the Mercat Cross. You will see a place seemingly untouched by time with amazing little details like the owl holes (ask, you won't be disappointed) and the "risps" on all the doors of the older houses. This was what people used instead of a doorbell. Only things missing are the sounds and the smells. See the film about the house and town shown inside the palace. Hours can be weird and it is shut in winter, though you can walk about the town for free. Bring a packed lunch and make a day of it. There's a play park near the beach for the little people and a tea room nearby. The Abbey up the hill is also worth a look in. That's where Sir George and his family are buried in style. Two thumbs up.