Comments on: The Tower, Balcarres Craig, Colinsburgh, Fife

By: Editor

Editor — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:31:06 +0000

In reply to David Lindsay. Hello David. What a lovely message, full of happy memories and adventure. Perhaps you should return the key, but only after you have sat at the crag and reminisced one more time.

By: David Lindsay

David Lindsay — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 13:20:18 +0000

Balcarres Crag, my favourite place.
My first home (0-5yrs) was East Lodge at the foot of the Crag. Then grew up in the village of Colinsburgh before leaving for a career in the forces.
Most of my family are buried in Kilconquhar cemetery, and whilst sitting up on the crag, I can look out over both Colinsburgh and Kilconquhar and reminisce everything that has happened in my life since 19th September 1967.
During one period of leave I even took a rope with me and abseiled down the Crag face. Something I had always wondered what it would be like to do. Can’t be too many of us that have done that.
I also believe that I may even have the original key to the wooden door at the foot of the tower. My dad worked on the Balcarres estate and somehow he’s ended up with the key. I should probably return it to present Lord Crawford.

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 10:35:03 +0000

In reply to Janet Foster. Hello Janet. I’m delighted to learn that you found the website when looking for information on Buchanan. How lovely to have one of his works with such a personal history. I loved visiting the Balcarres estate and hope to return before too long. Good luck finding a copy of the book - it seems quite rare with the lovely dust jacket.

By: Janet Foster

Janet Foster — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 20:00:47 +0000

I have a lovely little watercolour of nearby Kilconquhar that was painted by Walter Buchanan in 1924 as a wedding gift for my grandparents, and stumbled on your blog when looking for more information about the artist. Thank you so much for the post and the lovely photos of the crag; I have happy memories of walking through the Balcarres estate as a child. I’m now on the lookout for a copy of the book, ideally complete with that beautiful dust jacket.

By: Editor

Editor — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:38:20 +0000

In reply to Iain Gray. Good morning Iain. A climb up Balcarres Crag is certainly a great way to start a day of folly adventures. Scotland has so many wonderful landscape ornaments - I am already planning my next trip.

By: Iain Gray

Iain Gray — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 21:48:57 +0000

Some years ago Sarah Innes, now of Elie and friendly with the Crawfords, took a Folly Fellowship party on one of her sublime outings and the first folly visited was Balcarres Crag. We all climbed the tower and enjoyed the splendid views. A lovely memory.

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:09:30 +0000

In reply to Tony Cleaver. Thank you Tony. It's a superb folly and we were very lucky with the weather in Scotland in November!

By: Tony Cleaver

Tony Cleaver — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:33:50 +0000

Fascinating as ever!!

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 10:41:00 +0000

In reply to Roger Smith. Hello Roger. I walked up to the tower and although there were private signs for the gardens to Balcarres House, which of course I respected, there were no issues with accessing the tower. I have subsequently had contact with the estate and they had no problem with my featuring the tower. Good luck with your book.

By: Roger Smith

Roger Smith — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 09:51:34 +0000

I was very interested to see your feature on Balcarres Crag. You may recall that I have been in touch before with regard to the book on Scottish Monuments and Memorials I have been compiling. This is now complete and should be going into production shortly.
I have an extensive section on Follies and as a courtesy contacted Balcarres Estate to see if they had a preferred route up to the folly. They replied very firmly that they didn’t want any publicity for the folly as it was dangerous to go up there, and thy asked me not to include Balcarres Crag in my book. In the interests of good relations I reluctantly agreed to this request.
I would be very interested to know if the question of access arose during your visit to Balcarres and if you have been in contact with the estate.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Best wishes,
Roger