 Loch Leven Castle is a ruined castle on an island in Loch Leven , in the Perth and Kinross local authority area of Scotland . Possibly built around 1300 , the castle was the location of military action during the Wars of Scottish Independence ( 1296 – 1357 ) . In the latter part of the 14th century , the castle was granted by his uncle to William Douglas , 1st Earl of Douglas , and remained in Douglas ' hands for the next 300 years . Mary , Queen of Scots was imprisoned here in 1567 – 1568 , and forced to abdicate as queen , before escaping with the help of her gaoler 's family . In 1588 , the Queen 's gaoler inherited the title Earl of Morton , and moved away from the castle . It was bought , in 1675 , by Sir William Bruce , who used the castle as a focal point in his garden ; it was never again used as a residence . 
