Driving from Balgonie towards Kilconquhar (which is inland), it is worth noting that the charming fishing villages of the "East Neuk" of Fife, such as Elie (pictured here) and Pittenweem and St Monans, are well worth a visit, as well as the castles, if you have time! "Neuk" (pronounced nyook) is a Scots word for "corner" and is sometimes used to describe an area of land projecting into the sea, as in this part of Fife.
Pronounced "Kinnuchar", Kilconquhar was where witches in the East Neuk of Fife were executed - by drowning in the local loch. The building is now more a mansion than a castle, and it is nowadays leased out as holiday "time share" apartments, with sports facilities and manicured lawns. But it started life as a 16th century tower house and has been considerably extended. All the original windows were enlarged in the 19th century, as it took on its role as a comfortable family home.
