Clan Rising
Kilbryde Castle today

Scotland · Restored

Kilbryde Castle

Kilbryde Castle is a Scottish baronial castellated house on the A820 between Doune and Dunblane in southern Perthshire. The present appearance dates to a late-19th-century remodelling and the property includes extensive walled gardens that are open to the public on selected days.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1880

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1880

What Kilbryde Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact, rectangular Scots baronial house of light-coloured stone or harled finish with steeply pitched gabled roofs and multiple tall, rectangular chimneys. Small corbelled corner turrets and short round pepper-pot bartizans punctuate the roofline. The main block rises directly from a high clipped garden wall with an arched pedestrian gateway; mature trees and formal garden beds cluster around the base. Roofs are slate; window openings are narrow and regularly arranged.

Its story

The story of Kilbryde Castle.

Kilbryde Castle lies on the A820 between Doune and Dunblane in southern Perthshire. The property was originally built by the Earl of Menteith in 1460; since 1659 it has belonged to the Campbells, and it was the home of Sir J. Campbell, baronet, in the mid-19th century. It is currently owned by Sir James and Lady Carola Campbell.

The castle owes its present Scots baronial appearance to the architect Thomas Heiton, who remodelled it in the late 1870s after the roof collapsed in 1877; it was refurbished again in the 1950s. Its extensive walled gardens are open to the public on selected days or by appointment.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1880.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Kilbryde Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the A820Walled garden forecourt and gatewaySouth façade close-upRoofline and chimneysGarden interior near arched doorwayWest corner corbelled turret

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Recreate Kilbryde Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1880, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Kilbryde Castle.

The families that held Kilbryde Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Campbell

    Held by the Campbells since 1659; still the family's home today.

From the archive

Kilbryde Castle on paper: the measured plan and period views.

The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.

FIG. 1414. - Kilbryde Castle. View from North-West., Kilbryde Castle

FIG. 1414. - Kilbryde Castle. View from North-West.

1892 · MacGibbon & Ross, vol. 5 (1892)

Public domain

GROUND FLOOR, Kilbryde Castle

GROUND FLOOR

1892 · MacGibbon & Ross, vol. 5 (1892)

Public domain

PRINCIPAL FLOOR, Kilbryde Castle

PRINCIPAL FLOOR

1892 · MacGibbon & Ross, vol. 5 (1892)

Public domain

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Kilbryde Castle.

Antonine Wall, ScotlandAncient siteAntonine Wall27 km awayDunfermline Abbey, ScotlandMonasteryDunfermline Abbey37 km away

Questions about Kilbryde Castle

What is the history of Kilbryde Castle?

Kilbryde Castle’s history begins in 1460, when the Earl of Menteith originally built it. The Campbells have owned the property since 1659, and Sir J. Campbell, baronet, lived there in the mid-19th century. After the roof collapsed in 1877, Thomas Heiton remodelled the castle in the late 1870s; it was refurbished again in the 1950s.

Who owns Kilbryde Castle now?

Kilbryde Castle is currently owned by Sir James and Lady Carola Campbell. The property has belonged to the Campbells since 1659. It is also a category B listed building, with that heritage designation recorded since 1971.

Does anyone live in Kilbryde Castle now?

Yes, Kilbryde Castle is a lived-in family home today. It is currently the home of Sir James and Lady Carola Campbell, and the Campbell family has owned the castle since 1659.

Where is Kilbryde Castle?

Kilbryde Castle is on the A820 between Doune and Dunblane in southern Perthshire. It is in the Stirling administrative area. The setting includes extensive walled gardens around the castle.

When was Kilbryde Castle built?

Kilbryde Castle was originally built in 1460, placing its first construction in the 15th century. Its present appearance dates from a late-19th-century remodelling after the roof collapsed in 1877. Thomas Heiton remodelled it in the late 1870s, and it was refurbished again in the 1950s.

Which family or clan held Kilbryde Castle?

The Campbells have held Kilbryde Castle since 1659, and it remains the family’s home today. Sir James and Lady Carola Campbell currently own the property.

What did Kilbryde Castle look like in its prime?

In its present form, Kilbryde Castle is a compact Scots baronial house of light-coloured stone or harled finish. It has steeply pitched slate roofs, tall rectangular chimneys, small corbelled corner turrets and short round pepper-pot bartizans. Narrow, regularly arranged windows and a high clipped garden wall with an arched gateway complete the exterior.

Is Kilbryde Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Kilbryde Castle is still standing and has been restored. Its present Scots baronial appearance resulted from Thomas Heiton’s remodelling in the late 1870s after the roof collapsed in 1877. The building was refurbished again in the 1950s.

Who built Kilbryde Castle?

The Earl of Menteith originally built Kilbryde Castle in 1460. Thomas Heiton was the Scottish architect responsible for its remodelling in the late 1870s, after the roof collapsed in 1877; he did not build the original castle.

Can you visit Kilbryde Castle?

Kilbryde Castle’s extensive walled gardens are open to the public on selected days or by appointment. The castle itself is a private family home, currently owned by Sir James and Lady Carola Campbell.

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