Windows: Culross Palace

Ornate dormer windows in the top rooms of Culross Palace, once the opulent family home of Sir George Bruce (c.1550-1625). Bruce was an innovator, devising new methods of mining coal under the sea bed, and from this he made his fortune.
Culross Palace was roofed with hand-made pantiles, imported from the Low Countries. The brisk trade between the Netherlands and coastal towns of Eastern Scotland at that time helps to explain the large number of distinctive red-roofed buildings in the ‘East Neuk’ of Fife. The crow-stepped gables (also visible in the picture) were copied from Dutch buildings – as well as being decorative, they helped to prevent the roof being lifted by the wind.
You can read more about Culross Palace here on The Hazel Tree.
Images © Jo Woolf

Jo Woolf

I live by the sea in Argyll, Scotland, and I write about the landscape, its wildlife and wonderful history. I'm also Writer in Residence at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

16 Comments

Pat

July 31, 2017 at 1:59 pm Reply

Thanks, Jo. I love seeing detail shots like this. So much can get lost in the “big” picture. 🙂
- Jo Woolf
  
  July 31, 2017 at 4:15 pm
  
  That’s very true, Pat. So many details to take in and appreciate, especially in a property like this.
montucky

July 31, 2017 at 2:01 pm Reply

Amazing innovation and craftsmanship!
- Jo Woolf
  
  July 31, 2017 at 4:15 pm
  
  Yes – such skill and care went into all the little details. It’s a magnificent building.
Susan Abernethy

July 31, 2017 at 2:41 pm Reply

I was just stunned by Culross when I visited. It’s like stepping back in time.
- Jo Woolf
  
  July 31, 2017 at 4:16 pm
  
  It certainly is, Susan, and we were stunned too. We weren’t prepared for the whole experience – I’ve not been anywhere quite like it.
blosslyn

July 31, 2017 at 9:33 pm Reply

I love the fact that each dormer is different and those tiles are wonderful 🙂
- Jo Woolf
  
  July 31, 2017 at 9:45 pm
  
  Yes, lovely details – I think there’s a thistle there on the right, and perhaps the crest of Sir George Bruce in the middle one, but I’m not sure.
  - blosslyn
    
    July 31, 2017 at 10:09 pm
    
    I wonder if there were any building plans that you can have a look at….ha ha did they do plans 🙂
Lorna

August 3, 2017 at 11:55 am Reply

Those are beautiful windows and I like how they’re all different.
- Jo Woolf
  
  August 5, 2017 at 8:24 am
  
  Yes, so much attention to all the little details, which of course spoke of wealth and status as well. It’s a fabulous place.
Cornell

August 6, 2017 at 7:25 pm Reply

Oh, such beautiful colours!
- Jo Woolf
  
  August 6, 2017 at 9:30 pm
  
  Yes, they certainly are! More like the Mediterranean. We were amazed when we first saw the Palace – it almost glows.
Klausbernd

August 20, 2017 at 12:39 pm Reply

Beautiful house and windows and the colour is great!
- Jo Woolf
  
  August 20, 2017 at 1:19 pm
  
  Yes, the colour is amazing! It glows even on a dull day. Fabulous place – we really enjoyed our visit there.
  - Klausbernd
    
    August 20, 2017 at 2:01 pm
    
    Dear Jo
    Great that you liked this architecture as well!
    All the best
    The Fab Four of Cley