Pittarthie Castle is a large'L-plan' tower house of three storey's and an attic located in a very remote location, miles from the nearest road. The walls are pierced with gunloops and shot holes. The vaulted basement contains the kitchen with a large arched fireplace, but sadly there is no longer any access to the castle due to the door being blocked by a large bolder.

Pittarthie Castle is not an easy one to find as it is located far from any roads. From the crossroads on the B9131 drive past Beley Farm on your right down the minor road towards the next crossroads. With Chesters farm on your left, drive straight ahead over the cross roads until the road turns into a muddy track where there is a cottage on your left handside. With consideration you will be able to park at the start of this wooded track which begins your long walk to the end, keeping an eye out for openings in the fields on your left which takes you to the castle.

~ History ~

1500's ~ The Moneypennys of Pitmilly family acquire the Pittarthie estate from the Archbishops of St Andrews. 

1580 ~ The Monypennys of Pitmilly build a castle on their estate.

1598 ~ "the lands of Pittarthie and others, including the fortification, the manor, etc... previously managed on behalf of the Archbishop of St Andrews by James Monypenny of Pitmelie" are taken over by Andrew Logan of Easter Granton.

1636 ~ Pittarthie is bought by the Bruce's of Kinross.

1653 ~ The estates administrator William Bruce of Pittarthie, on behalf of its owner, his father Andrew Bruce, thoroughly rebuilds the original tower. The entire north-east wing, a stair turret and  north-west annex are created.

1715 ~ The Jacobite Bruce's of Pittarthie have all their lands and titles confiscated by the Crown.

1800's ~ The castle and the surrounding estates are bought by the Cunninghams of Glencairn family

Later, on the basis of the marriage contract of Robina – the only daughter and heiress of Robert Cunningham with George Francis Hannay, Pittarthie becomes the property of the Hannay family.

Soon after, George Hannay changes his name to Hannay Cunningham.

1867 ~ George's son, George Hannay Cunningham, takes ownership of the Kingsmuir Estate.

As a result the importance of Pittarhie deminishes and it is eventually abandoned.

1882 ~ The castle is described as "a roofless ruin in the north-western part of the parish of Dunino, partly very old... partly from 1653. Its oldest part is a large, square tower with a vaulted basement."