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A mansion house with a garden and fine views looking out over the Firth of Forth, situated in the East Neuk of Fife a mile north of St Monance.

Originally the site of a tower house, Balcaskie was remodelled by Sir William Bruce, Surveyor-General of the Royal Works in Scotland, who owned the property from 1665 to 1684. In 1698 Balcaskie came into the hands of the Anstruthers who still live in the house. Bruce's garden was the first formally-designed garden to be created in Scotland and the driveway from the west was designed by W.S. Gilpin in 1826-27.

Blasted by winds blowing off the North Sea, Balcomie Links lies immediately west of Fife Ness at the eastern extremity of Fife. To the south-west is the East Neuk town of Crail and seven miles north-west is St Andrews, the home of golf. The Balcomie Golf Course, first used by the Crail Golfing Society in 1895, is a classic example of a coastal links set within landscaped parkland. The Crail Golfing Society, founded in 1786, is the seventh oldest Golf Club in the world. Closeby, the late 16th-century castle of Balcomie, with its five-storey tower, ranges and walled garden, stands within a complex that includes a 19th century mansion and modern farmstead. The gatehouse at Balcomie still bears the arms of the Learmounth and Myretoun familes who once lived here. it was at Balcomie that Mary of Guise was welcomed in June 1538 when she landed in Scotland on her way to marry James V at St Andrews.

The ruined remains of Burleigh Castle lie to the east of Milnathort in Perth and Kinross and originate from the 15th century. Built on land occupied by the Balfours since 1446, it is constructed of red sandstone and comprises of two towers, the second dating from 1582. Of little architectural appeal, it was important as a place of visit for King James IV. The castle is now in the keep of Historic Scotland.

Ballinbreich is one of the oldest celtic names in Fife and is a corruption of Balan-breac, meaning "town of trouts". This is of course a reference to the salmon to be found there, and even in modern times it has enjoyed the reputation of being a first class fishing station.

The original fabric of the castle dates from the 14th century. It consisted then of a small keep set upon the south wall of a great courtyard of oblong shape, with the keep projecting beyond the walls to the South. Previously to the 14th century the Barony of Ballinbreich was held by the ancient family of Abernethy but ten passed through marriage into the hands of the Earls of Rothes.

In the sixteenth century alterations and additions were made that gave the castle the outline that can still be seen today. It has been mined for generations and it was when one of the inner walls collapsed that the 14th century masonry work was revealed. The workmanship of the masonry is considered unsurpassed in Scotland.

Ballinbreich is situated on private ground and anyone wishing to visit should first gain permission.