Almost to Wemyss Castle via Google Earth

Rested up from my earlier jaunt to Gosford House, I return to Scotland for another look around. I start out in a village in Fife called the Coaltown of Wemyss looking for the road that would lead me to Wemyss Castle. Below is an aerial shot of the area. Isn’t it lovely? Click on it and it will enlarge.

The main road through the Coaltown of Wemyss is the A955. I follow it looking for a turnoff to the south that might lead to the home of the current Wemyss of Wemyss. This small road looks like a good candidate. As you see, it is a beautiful day. Perhaps I can stop and ask the person with the dog for some directions.

I make the mistake of trying to read the map and drive at the same time and come a bit too close to the black dog. I find myself wanting to drive on the right side of the road, like in the Ozarks, when I should be on the left. Embarrassed after swerving to miss the dog, I do not stop to ask directions from the gentleman out for a leisurely walk.

I was looking at the map because I wanted to know the name of this small road. I still am not sure what to call it, but it is a nice drive through the grounds of the Wemyss Estate with the sheep and pastures. I wonder if they get a good price for the wool.

I follow this for nearly half a mile when I reach a fork in the road. I take the one more traveled and come to a collection of stone buildings.

Or as seen from above.

Although I see some impressive stonework, I don’t think I have found the castle. Instead, I think it is the outbuildings involved in the estate’s farming operations.

I do notice the swans, a symbol of the Wemyss family.

My exploring triggers an uncomfortable sensation of trespassing and I think I should probably head back the way I have come. When I turn I see a quaint cottage and what may be as beautiful a tree as I have ever seen.

Maybe I am a bit disappointed that I haven’t found Wemyss Castle, but at the same time I realize it is a private residence and perhaps I have snooped around enough. I can always look at photographs of it on the internet. I follow the road back toward the Coaltown of Wemyss.

I pass a row of pretty cottages and wave at the man and his dog and turn back onto the A955 and continue my journey.