Ravenscraig Castle sits on a high rocky promontory overlooking the Firth of Forth. It was intended as a residence for Queen Mary of Gueldres, wife of King James II of Scotland. However, within months of the start of construction in 1460 the king was killed at the siege of Roxburgh when one his own artillery pieces exploded.

His widow continued to spend money on construction but it remained unfinished by the time it was given to William Sinclair by King James III in 1470. The Sinclairs transformed it from a royal residence into a fortress with very thick walls for defence against artillery. The castle was taken and damaged by Cromwell's army in 1650. It remained under Sinclair ownership until the end of the 19th century.