Masterton in the 14th to 20th Century

In the 14th century, the Pitreavie (Pittrevie) estate was owned by Lady Christina Bruce, sister of King Robert the Bruce. When James VI acceded to the English throne in 1603 and left Dunfermline for London, he left Dunfermline Palace in the care of Henry Wardlaw, Chamberlain to Queen Anne of Denmark.  In 1608, Henry bought Pitreavie estate from the Kello or Kellock family for 10,000 merks Scottish and in 1615 the now Sir Henry began building Pitreavie Castle, (really a defended family home) in the grounds of the estate. The previous year in recognition of his services to the King, Sir Henry had been appointed Baron of Pitreavie and the Persimmon estate at the bottom of Carnegie Avenue is named Barony Park, whilst Castle Brae and Castle Drive are named after the Castle itself.

Sir Henry was succeeded by his son, also Henry in 1637 and throughout the 17th century, the family continued to add land to the estate.  By 1698 it included the lands of Prymrose (now Primrose, the area opposite Rosyth Halt), St. Margaret’s Stone (originally located on Queensferry Road – the Dual Carriageway to Dunfermline), Easter and Wester Pitreavie, Pitbauchlie (as in the Hotel on Aberdour Road) and Maistertoun (now Masterton).

During the Invasion of Scotland by Oliver Cromwell, the Battle of Pitreavie was fought nearby on 20th July 1651, between an English force commanded by Colonel Robert Overton (Overton Court) and a Scottish force, including approximately 800 Highlanders from the clan Maclean (Maclean Way, Walk, Gate, Gardens, as well as Covenanters Rise).  Reports tell of some 2,000 Scots killed and 1,600 captured, against the loss of 8 of the Cromwellian forces.  It is said a group of Macleans sought refuge in the castle and cursed the Wardlaw family when they were refused entry.  95% of the clan were slain at the battle and a cairn has been erected at the entrance to the nearby nursery to commemorate the loss.  The exact location of the battle is unclear and in 2013 an excavation was undertaken in the field between Rosyth Halt and the M90 to search for evidence.  This only uncovered 2 musket balls, 2 coins from the reign of Charles II and a 1940s sixpence!  Once funding is in place, a new excavation will be undertaken closer to Masterton Hall – between the farm and Middlebank.

Pitreavie is reputed to be haunted by 3 ghosts dating from the time of the battle – the Lady in Green and Lady in Grey are said to haunt the castle whilst the third is that of a headless Highlander who roams the area to the south of the castle in search of his companions!

In 1675 Henry Wardlaw founded and built a hospital (almshouse) for 4 widows who lived on the Pitreavie land.  The widows were given food and lodging and the Masterton lands were burdened with the upkeep of the hospital.  Masterton (behind Dovecot Place and Wynd) now comprises the farm and a few houses, but was once a thriving hamlet up until the middle of the 20th century, home to approximately 70-80 people, estate workers and their families.  There was a shop and even a church , gifted by Miss Maddox Blackwood of Pitreavie Castle.  Sir Robert Blackwood, Lord Dean of Guild, Edinburgh, purchased the house in 1711 and the Cala estate opposite includes Blackwood Green, Gardens, Way etc.

The building gradually changed from a fortified keep to an 18th century home and remained in the family for 170 years until it was bought in 1884 by Henry Beveridge, one of the damask weaving family which founded the St Leonard’s Works in Dunfermline (next to Asda St Leonards) which is now converted into flats.  Beveridge modernised the building, making substantial changes and additions, including the portico which is now the main entrance, an elegant staircase and stained glass window.  He also created a water garden and built a narrow gauge railway as well as two entrance lodges; the East Lodge or “The Laich” was still in existence until after our estate was built and was located at the roundabout just beyond the nursery.  The land is now available for development through Laich Developments Ltd and one of the buildings in Carnegie Campus is named Laich House.  The castle is now a Category A listed building.