My Birthday Adventure to Loch Leven Castle: Scotland's Historic Island Escape

For my birthday this year, I had a different  wish: a road trip to Loch Leven was at the top of my birthday list.  And you know what? My amazing partner made it happen. We hopped in the car, ready for an adventure, and headed for the Loch Leven that the RSPB protects. You know, because we're fancy  RSPB members  and all that.

But, typical, right? My partner was like, "Nah, babe, the map says it's closed." I had a feeling it was just their office, not the whole nature reserve, but bless his heart, he took me to the part covered by Historic Scotland instead. And Honestly? It was absolutely brilliant! The only catch was, since we had our RSPB membership, we had to pay to get in here. But let me tell you, it was SO worth it for the boat ride to the castle.

So, here's the deal: there's free parking, which is always a win, right? But then, to get to the iconic  Loch Leven Castle , you have to take a boat; it is an island. It cost us about £22, which included the ride over to the island where the castle sits. Before we even took off, our boat rider (who was super lovely, by the way) gave us the lowdown: "Stay seated, no phones over the water, don't stand up until we've stopped," and the kicker: "If your phone falls in, I'm not stopping—we can't find it anyway." I'll only stop if someone falls in." Talk about a clear message. There were four of us on the boat, and we just sat back, soaked in the absolutely stunning views of Loch Leven, and before we knew it, we were at Loch Leven Castle itself. The castle is definitely showing its age and bits are falling apart, but the sheer beauty of the location and getting to actually step inside? Priceless. 

Now, let's talk about the history of this incredible place, because Loch Leven Castle is absolutely steeped in it. This isn't just any old ruin; it's a place with some serious stories to tell. The castle itself dates back to the late 14th century, making it over 600 years old. Imagine all the history these stones have seen.

But the most famous resident, without a doubt, was  Mary, Queen of Scots.  She was imprisoned here in 1567, after being forced to abdicate her throne. Can you even imagine? Trapped on an island in the middle of a loch. She was held here for nearly a year, and let me tell you, she did not go quietly. She tried to escape not once, but twice.  Her first attempt involved switching clothes with a laundress, but she was recognized by a boatman and her escape was foiled. Her second, more successful attempt, in May 1568, was much more dramatic. With the help of George Douglas (the castle owner's younger brother, who was totally friendly with her) and a young orphan named Willie Douglas, she managed to get hold of the castle keys. Willie locked the gates behind them, threw the keys into the loch (talk about commitment), and they rowed across to the shore where Lord Seton was waiting with horses. She was free. For a little while, anyway. It's such a thrilling part of Scottish history, and standing in the very castle where it happened feels good.     

A quick note for you fellow foodies. There  is a restaurant at Loch Leven, but at the moment, it's unfortunately closed. I'm hoping it'll reopen soon, because imagine grabbing a bite with those views. 

How to Get to Loch Leven from Glasgow or Edinburgh:

Getting to Loch Leven is super straightforward from both Glasgow and Edinburgh , making it a perfect day trip!

• From Glasgow: It's roughly an hour to an hour and a half drive. You'll want to head east on the M8 towards Edinburgh, then pick up the M90 ​​north towards Perth. Take junction 5 (A911) for Kinross/Milnathort, and then follow the signs for Loch Leven. 
• From Edinburgh: Even easier. It's about a 45-minute to an hour drive. Just jump on the M90 ​​north towards Perth and take junction 5 (A911) for Kinross/Milnathort, and then follow the signs to Loch Leven.

Public transport is a bit trickier, as you'd likely need a combination of trains and buses, so I'd definitely recommend driving if you can for the most flexibility.

So, there you have it. My birthday wish came true, even with a little detour, and I got to explore a truly historic part of Scotland. If you're looking for a dose of history, stunning scenery, and a unique boat trip, Loch Leven Castle is an absolute must-visit. Just don't drop your phone in the loch.

Address :  Pier Rd, Kinross KY13 8UF

In case of emergency, an emergency line and defibrillator are available on the island. Should you get stuck, miss your pickup, or if no one arrives to collect you, please use the emergency line.

Did I mention that we ended up signing up for Historic Scotland membership? Yes, we did. 

We took these photos on the 10th of June, 2025, from 12 pm to 2:30 pm.