A 16th century castle where Mary, Queen of Scots once stayed in 1561 is for sale in the deep folds of Fife, Scotland.
Earlshall Castle takes its name from the hunting lodge of 'The Erlishall', which was owned by the Earls of Fife, relatives of King Robert de Bruce. Sir William Bruce first began building the castle in 1546, and, quite wonderfully, it still has many of the original details in tact.
Step inside Earlshall and you'll find 10 bedrooms, eight reception rooms, six bathrooms, two dressing rooms and scene-stealing interiors. It's completely decadent throughout, teeming with Scottish history, personality and some of the most unique furnishings we've ever seen.
Rooms are handsome at every angle and wildly different from one another. Some have high ceilings, while others are shaped with small windows. There's a large kitchen, an inner hall, four bedrooms, a well-stocked library, round study and a shower room.
Attention to detail is everywhere: rich wood wall panelling, ceiling cornices, a riot of pattern, and opulent colours makes for a real head-turning castle.
Outside is pretty spectacular, too, with gardens extending to 34 acres in all (new homeowners will probably want to consider hiring a gardener). Adjoining the castle are well-kept walled gardens, which were laid out by Robert Lorimer. Woodland surrounds the parkland on three sides — perfect for long walks and wildlife spotting.
But that's not all: there are also holly hedges, a topiary lawn, an orchard, rose terrace, bowling green, yew walk, three cottages, and a pretty-as-a-postcard secret garden, too. It feels as though it's your own little slice of a National Trust park, but without the entry queues and additional visitors.
The castle is set in the town of St. Andrews, Fife, famous for its many golf courses. When you're not at a nearby diving range sharpening your golf skills, head into the local area to explore the many lovely cafes, shops and restaurants.
Earlshall Castle is currently on the market via Savills. The price is upon application.
Take a peek inside the home below...
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox.
19 stylish indoor plant pots to suit every interior
This unique indoor plant pot, with a striking scalloped edge, is made from 100 per cent ceramic. Choose from blush pink or turquoise.
Looking to make a real style statement? If you've grown fond of the bubble trend, this cream plant pot will wonderfully complement the lush green foliage of your houseplants.
Bring a nautical feel to your bathroom or kitchen with Habitat's bright ceramic planter, handpainted with blue and white stripes. Pair with a spider plant, as seen here.
Talk about making a statement. Made from ceramic with a classic glazed finish, this unique indoor plant pot from M&S features a delicate petal design.
This pink ceramic pot is perfect to house an aloe vera plant. We love the floral-inspired geometric pattern, finished with a shiny crackle glaze.
We love this basket-style water hyacinth planter, which features an inner waterproof lining so you can pop plants straight inside. It's incredibly versatile, so you could always use it to store blankets or toys instead.
We love the scalloped edge and fluted finish of this H&M Home stoneware plant pot. Why not pick up the smaller version, too?
Tap into nature with this extra-large green plant pot from Serax. Made from stoneware, its rough, earthy texture contrasts with the glazed finish from the top half.
This stoneware plant pot is sleek and understated with a lovely ribbed design and flecked finish. The matching saucer elevates its streamlined design, while the reactive glaze makes each pot unique. It's available in three sizes.
This large plant pot, with its contrasting green and white striped design, has small feet to raise it from the ground. Pop it on a side table to admire its pattern from afar.
Searching for the perfect housewarming gift? Look no further, because this sweet plant pot is shaped like a home and has space for greenery inside.
Spruce up an empty corner at home with this green ceramic plant pot from Graham & Green. Creating your own indoor jungle just got easier.
This on-trend stoneware pot from H&M Home is all over Instagram. Boasting an organic, wavy shape and a fluted finish, it's perfect if you want something more unique.
This rustic seagrass design from Notonthehighstreet.com will help to keep things natural and bring the outdoors in.
Every houseplant deserves a beautiful home. Adding warmth and softness to your space, this medium-sized round planter is crafted from mango wood for a natural feel.
Display your favourite potted houseplants in this ceramic green pot, boasting an artistic linear pattern.
As happy as a spring day, this leaf plant pot from Dunelm is a surefire way to boost your mood. Why not get one for yourself and gift one to a friend?
