It lies on the eponymous Crawford Priory Estate between the villages of Pitlessie and Springfield, and about 3 miles (5 km) south west of the nearest town, Cupar.

Despite subsequent improvements, the property was eventually abandoned in 1968 after becoming too difficult to maintain, with attempts at demolition or redevelopment unsuccessful.

On board, Hamilton proposed a gothic hall, apparently intended to resemble Dunblane Cathedral and reflect Lady Crawford's 'ample and noble descent.

Lady Crawford herself also had direct input, creating sketches for the lobby at the west end of the dining room.

Her funeral service, too, was held in the grand hall on 2 December 1833, before she was laid to rest with her brother in the family mausoleum.

Additions included a 115-foot (35 m) gothic tower and new chapel design for the east of the building, as well as a complete interior renovation and a carriage porch.

The 1st Baron commissioned further remodelling from Reginald Fairlie in 1920, adding wood pannelling and moving Boyle's porte cochre.

In November 1991, an application to remove part of the roof was accepted, with some sections retained to protect particularly sensitive areas.

The owners, still Barons Cochrane of Cults via Crawford Priory Limited, made continued efforts for its demolition, however there were numerous proposals from planners and the community to salvage the building.

[15][14] Internally, Crawford Priory continued to incorporate the gothic theme prior to its gutting, with intricate fan vaulting and a surviving cast iron spiral staircase.

The grand hall occupied almost the entirety of the part of the building resembling a castle, featuring large stained glass windows created by William Edington with an apostle and the family arms, and a ceiling by Thomas Bonnar.

Taking a classical, cruciform-plan form of polished ashlar, and originally surrounded by Roman Doric columns, it is thought to have been built around the same time as the house itself in 1758.