Bairns' paradise by the sea

The architecture dates back to the mid-sixteenth century during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots; graffiti that displays the message ''God save King James 1770'' bears testimony to The Castle's involvement in the Jacobite rebellion; and it has a romantic history based on centuries of ownership by descendants of the original family. All this in an area renowned the world over as the home of golf.

While purists will delight in the architectural heritage of original panelled doors, stone flagged floors, exposed timber beams, walls panelled in Memel pine, imported from the Baltic in the seventeenth century, an eighteenth-century staircase, and working window shutters, those who prefer to combine history with a liberal sprinkling of modern conveniences and creature comforts will not be disappointed.

The present owners of the A-listed building have carried out extensive maintenance and improvements, including the addition of numerous bathrooms and shower rooms.

The accommodation is set over three floors and comprises hall, four reception rooms, six bedrooms, six bath/shower rooms, original tower rooms, two kitchens and storerooms.

To the front of The Castle is a south-facing walled garden laid mainly to grass with a substantial stone wall on the seaward side. A gate leads through this to the beach.

The setting is magnificent. During the summer months its proximity to the sea and sandy beach make it a paradise for children; winter storms create a dramatic backdrop of sea spray crashing over the garden wall; and at any time of year The Castle enjoys glorious sunsets and superb views south over the harbour and the Firth of Forth. The oldest part of the building is the mid-sixteenth century tower on the west side, believed to have been built to hold farm produce and other goods prior to transfer to Edinburgh by ferry from Elie harbour.

In 1620 the principal part of The Castle was added to the east, including the reception rooms on the first floor. A staircase wing was added to the south in 1740, replacing the original turret staircase.

The earliest recorded owners of the Castle were the Gourlays of Kincraig, a landowning family who may have been the original builders. As far as is known, the property has only been sold just once, in 1770, when it was bought to form a dower house for the widow of Dr John Scott of Coates, herself a Gourlay.

Since then, The Castle has remained in the ownership of the Scott and Scott Moncrieff families and has been enjoyed by many generations of children - so much so that in 1839, William Scott Moncrieff turned down an offer to buy the

property because ''the bairns would enjoy going to it in the summer''.

Entered by a studded oak front door, the ground floor accommodation includes a hall with steps down to a stone flagged floor, two storerooms with original panelled doors and stone-flagged The last time h9ifloors, kitchen, with a large stone fireplace (sealed), and bathroom. There is also a good-size sitting room with a beautiful fireplace and timber overmantel, and a period style shower room with Victorian wash-hand basin, WC and shower cubicle.

From the hall, a stone staircase leads to the main public rooms on the first floor off

a landing features exposed beams with original seventeenth-century painting, and a timber floor.

The large formal dining room with its open fireplace, is an elegant room panelled in Memel pine with two south facing windows displaying superb views out to sea, and one north-facing window. Of similar size, the drawing room also enjoys sea views and features a fireplace with brick surround and carved oak overmantel, Memel pine panelling and cornice with a shelved display alcove.

With a feature stone fireplace and gas fire, the third public room, a sitting room, leads into a small study in the original tower - a delightful space with two small windows, exposed timber beams and timber floor.

Completing the accommodation on this floor is a small kitchen with fitted wall and floor units, and built-in oven and gas hob.

On the second floor are the bedrooms, some of which bear intriguing names such as the Turk upon Turk Bedroom which boasts fabulous views, working shutters, a fireplace with painted cast iron overmantel, and en suite bathroom; the West Bedroom, with pine lined walls, shutters, fireplace with Victorian cast-iron grate (sealed) and tiled shower cubicle and wash-hand basin.

Adjoining, is the Babies Room in the tower. And the East Bedroom, with en suite bathroom, open fireplace with carved oak overmantel, timber floor and built-in wardrobe.

Approached by a timber spiral staircase, the attic floor continues the intrigue.

On the west side is George's Bedroom and en suite shower room, plus a small turret room in the original tower with pine panelled walls and a vaulted ceiling. On the east side is the Ark Bedroom, the Fleurie Bedroom, and another tiled shower room.

Both of these rooms have dormer windows and coombed ceilings.

''This is one of the most fascinating properties I have seen for many years,'' says James Carnegie, of selling agents Brodies. ''It's full of character, the panelled drawing room and dining room are particularly attractive rooms, and the property enjoys a very good seafront position in a popular resort town.''

The Castle has a single garage with plans for a more substantial replacement in keeping with the character of the property. Elie has good local shops and amenities, while Cupar (14 miles) and St Andrews (12 miles) provide a wider range of facilities. Edinburgh (44 miles) can be reached in under an hour by car.

Brodies Land and Estate Agency Department in Edinburgh is seeking offers over #270,000 for The Castle.