Rossie Estate
BACKHOUSE ROSSIE ESTATE
ROFSIE
An old historic site
The Historic Rossie Estate dates back to the 11th century and is nestled in the heart of the picturesque Kingdom of Fife. Once a hunting ground for Mary, Queen of Scots, the estate is steeped in history and natural beauty. Within its 110 acres of woodland and garden, you’ll find a hidden Covenanter’s Tomb and a charming Walled Garden. It’s a place where history and nature intertwine, offering a truly unique experience.
Rossie Estate sits on gently rising ground above the River Eden, offering stunning southward views towards the East Lomond and Falkland.
Steeped in history, the estate is home to substantial evidence of prehistoric settlement, with notable discoveries in Rossie Bog, including a pair of prehistoric red deer antlers (circa 7,000 B.C.) now displayed in the hall at Rossie. Additionally, ancient oak fragments with over 200 annual growth rings, estimated to be around 10,000 years old, further attest to the estate’s long history.
The name Rossie is derived from the Gaelic word “Ros,” meaning promontory, a fitting description of the estate’s location at the head of Loch Rossie. Once the largest body of freshwater in the historic Kingdom of Fife, the loch was described as “abounding with Pykes and Perches” until the 19th century.
The intriguing story of the “Disappearing Loch” reveals how over the generations, Rossie Loch was drained to create more pasture land. Early attempts to drain the loch began in 1635, followed by further attempts in 1669, 1711, and the 1720s, before the process was finally completed in the early 19th century by the Cheapes of Rossie and Johnstones of Lathrisk as shown in a 1775 map by John Ainslie and that of Sharp, Greenwood and Fowler in 1828. Historical maps, including a 1684 manuscript map by John Adair and Herman Moll’s 1745 Atlas, document the shrinking of the loch over time.
Rossie House has been an important site in central Fife since prehistoric times. It was first recorded during the reign of Roman Emperor Flavian, and later, during the reign of King David I (1083-1153), a residential building at Rossie is mentioned in historical records. By 1488, a hall was established at Rossie, and in 1509, the first mention of a Manor House occurred when King James IV granted the estate to James Bonar. It remained in the Bonar family for over a century before passing to Sir James Scott, a gentleman of the Royal Bedchamber.
A small ruined chapel, located in one of the estate’s woods, marks the resting place of Sir James Scott, who died in 1634, and his wife, who was buried alongside him. The estate has a fascinating connection to Mary, Queen of Scots, to whom the current owners are related, who frequently visited Falkland Palace and hunted wild boar on the estate during her stays.
In 1710, Sir Robert Sibbald described Rossie as “a well-repaired house with all conveniences and well-planted.” An 1830 estate map dated 8th June 1830, illustrates the original design of the estate, with the walled garden prominently featured in the layout, along with the Gardener’s Cottage to the south and the Grieves Cottage to the north, situated within its own courtyard.
Today, Rossie House stands as a stunning example of 18th-century architecture, with its carved stone columns, polished oak panelling, and light-filled interiors. The Georgian wing to the east and the early Victorian conservatory to the west complement the estate’s 18th-century landscape of hedge-rowed fields and mixed native woodland, forming the heart of Rossie Estate.
