‘Ferry-Port-on-Craig’ Castle

Local History

In the 15th century, during the reign of James II of Scotland, the strategic importance of the ferry was recognised. Around 1455, a castle was built at Ferry-Port-on-Craig to guard the crossing, along with a smaller fort across the water at Broughty Ferry. This was necessary since the wars with England forced upon the Scots the necessity of fortifying their lines of communication.

In 1547, after the defeat of the Scots by the Duke of Somerset at Pinkie, the English seized Broughty Castle and proceeded to ravage the surrounding countryside, setting fire to the Abbey of Balmarino. But when they landed at Ferry-Port-on-Craig, they met with such a fierce resistance that only a few escaped, and this corner of Fife was left unmolested.

The castle stayed under the control of the crown until 1588, when James VI made a gift of the town, the ferry, and the surrounding lands to Sir Robert Melville. Following the union of the Crowns the need to guard the ferry became unnecessary and the castle gradually fell into ruins. By 1855, only the vaulted roof of the ground floor and the north-west tower remained. These were removed using gunpowder, to make room for the rapidly growing village of Ferry-Port-on-Craig, which then adjoined the Castle cheifly on the east.

We are indebted to the late Mr T. S. Robertson, architect, of Broughty Ferry, for the following sketch which he made at the time of the demolition of the Castle.

All that remains to remind the present generation of the proud fortification which played an important part in safe-guarding the communications of the Kingdom are the names Castle Road and Castle Terrace. The actual site is now occupied by Castle Cottage.

In appearance, the castle resembled Claypotts Castle, near Broughty Ferry, built more than a century later on the same castellated ‘Z’ plan. The castle at Ferry-Port-on-Craig, however, was a good deal larger than the usual building of this type.

It stood on rising ground, a short distance above the old harbour, over-looking the Tay opposite Broughty Castle, and commanded a good view of the enterance to the river.

The castle was about 40ft square, with two towers, one at the south-east corner, and the other at the north-west corner, each tower being 26ft in diameter. The walls varied in thickness from about 7ft to 12ft.

The enterance doorway which projected a short distance was on the east side and gave access to the two vaults in the main building and to the north-west tower.

The south-east tower had a seperate entrance at a higher level from the outside and was divided into two appartments; one of them appeared to have been the kitchen, with an arch at the fireplace. There had been no connection with the vaulted chamber, but with the upper floor.

Sources:

• a booklet titled ‘The Burgh of Tayport: an Introduction’, published in 1985 by Tayport Community Council.

• a booklet titled ‘Tayport and round about: official guide’, published by Fife Tourist Association, (no date shown, approx. 1970’s).

• History of Tayport, by Sir James Scott, Kt. (at the age of 87), printed in Cupar by J. & G. Innes Ltd., 1927.

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