Rossie Estate
ACCESS GUIDE
Visit our page on ‘How to get to Backhouse Rossie‘.
From the gravel car park to the main entrance, there is ramped access with a wide path (over 2m) that is gently sloped.
On your left, you’ll find the ticket booth, and on your right, the Backhouse Kitchen. The ticket booth window is set at a height of 1.5m for easy access.
The Backhouse Kitchen features a double door that is 1240mm wide, opening inwards with self-closing hinges for smooth access.
The Backhouse Kitchen is designed for comfort and convenience, with all areas on the same level. Upon entering, you’ll find four distinct areas:
- The kitchen (no access for guests),
- The Backhouse Pantry Shop,
- Inside seating arranged with tables for 2, 4, or 6 guests,
- Outdoor seating on our café patio.
Our friendly staff will be happy to direct you to an available table, ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience.
The approach to the Backhouse Kitchen includes a combination of gravel, slopes, and paving stones (please note the slope down to the garden exceeds a 1:12 gradient at the doors). The indoor dining area features 10 tables, each 73 cm high with a central pedestal, providing a comfortable setting for your meal.
Outside, the café patio offers:
- 3 benches that seat 6 people each,
- 2 two-seater tables,
- A central table with seating for 2, 3, 4, or 5 guests.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Backhouse Kitchen, whether you’re enjoying a cosy indoor meal or relaxing outdoors with beautiful views.
Explore the stunning RHS Partner Walled Garden, designed around the themes of Art & Science, and discover its many wonders. Enjoy a relaxing visit with these exciting activities and features:
- Garden Kitchen: Sit-in or take-away, offering delicious meals made with garden-fresh ingredients.
- Plant Sales: Take home a piece of the garden with our selection of plants for sale.
- National Collection of Narcissus (Backhouse Cultivars): Admire the rare daffodils that are part of the historic Backhouse collection.
- Longest Interrupted Rose Archway in Scotland: Walk beneath this magnificent archway, a stunning floral spectacle.
- Covenanter’s Tomb Walk: Explore the historic Covenanter’s Tomb and learn about its fascinating past.
- Bear Walk: Fun for the young at heart, featuring carved animals and shaded paths.
- Queens Walk: Walk in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots through the beautiful surroundings.
- Wild Walk with Fern Display: Discover rare plants like Trillium and Cardiocrinum Giganteum along this peaceful trail.
- 9-Hole Putting Green: Test your skills on our family-friendly putting green, perfect for a relaxed game.
There’s something for everyone at Backhouse Rossie, whether you’re a nature lover, history enthusiast, or just looking for a relaxing day out.
Accessible Toilets are located in the Backhouse Heritage & Education Centre, to the right of the car park. A disabled-accessible public toilet is available, featuring a horizontal grab rail, and includes baby changing facilities. Additionally, there are two other public toilets for your convenience.
Rossie Estate features a variety of paths, including grass, gravel, and whin pathways. While much of the garden is accessible to those with mobility challenges or wheelchair users, please be mindful that certain areas may be more difficult to navigate off the main, hard-surfaced paths.
The site’s natural beauty means that many of the minor paths are rough, uneven, and steep in places, and can become boggy after wet weather. However, if you’re fit and steady on your feet, we hope you’ll be able to explore much of the garden.
Please note that the gardens will be closed in windy weather for safety reasons. We recommend checking the website or calling ahead before your visit.
Throughout the estate, you’ll find various seating areas with wooden benches, offering peaceful spots to rest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
We welcome assistance dogs onsite. As with all dogs, they must be kept on a lead, and owners are kindly asked to clean up after them and take any waste home.
Other dogs are not permitted in the gardens, but are welcome in the Tomb Walk and on the Backhouse Kitchen’s outdoor patio, provided they are well-behaved. Thank you for your understanding!
All indoor areas are non-smoking, but we provide a designated smoking bench outside the Backhouse Kitchen for your convenience.
Address: Rossie Estate
Collessie
Fife
KY15 7UZ
Telephone: +44 844 414 5803
Website: www.backhouserossie.co.uk
Local Transport & Services
- Stagecoach Fife (Route 94A): This bus service will take you to the estate road end. For more details, visit: Stagecoach Fife 94A Timetable
- Local Taxi Service: Freuchie Taxis – Tel: 01337 858722
Car Repairs:
- Ladybank Tyres – Tel: 01337 830932
- The Village Garage – Tel: 01337 830402
Both are located on Commercial Rd, Ladybank (KY15 7JS).
Emergency Services:
- Dial 999 for Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard, or Mountain Rescue.
- Police (Non-Emergency): Tel: 101
- Auchtermuchty Health Centre: Tel: 01337 828262
Petrol & Groceries:
- Bridgend Service Station, Freuchie (KY15 7HY) – Open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, also offering a selection of basic groceries.
Banks:
- Bank of Scotland, High St, Falkland, Cupar (KY15 7BZ) – Tel: 01337 857283 (Open Tuesdays & Thursdays only)
- Cash Machine: The nearest ATM is at Auchtermuchty Co-Op.
Tourist Information:
- Cupar Town Centre: Visit for local tourism information and assistance.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the threat to our plants, trees and woodlands, The Department of Agriculture has asked us to use Foot Mats to contain the likes of ell worm and Phytophthora ramorum. This is placed at the entrance to the garden and we would ask you to walk both feet through it, as it contains diluted Virkon to help stop the cross contamination from garden to garden. Thank you for your understanding.
Document last updated January 2022
VISIT
Backhouse Rossie
You can book tickets for the gardens and special events, or you can arrange a tour of The Flower Barn, our weddings and events venue.
The Backhouse Kitchen (no garden ticket required), offers seasonal food and drinks and welcomes well behaved dogs on the patio.
Free visitor car parking during our open season.
