Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

St. Monans Church, Fife Coast, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on St. Monans Parish Church which is located on an elevated position overlooking the Firth of Forth. This historic church is usually open and welcomes visitors.Some key historic and other facts:

• May be named after an Irish missionary Monanus or Monans who may have visited the area around AD 832 and is reported to have been slain by Danish invaders about AD 875.
• The church was commissioned by King David II ( 1329-1371) on site of a previous church. Building took place between 1362 and 1370 and cost 750 Scots pounds.
• Prior to 1477 the building was granted to Dominican Friars.
• Burned by English invaders in 1544.
• Became Parish Church in 1646.
• From 1646-1848 the choir alone was used for worship.
• Major restoration work undertaken in 1955.
• The interior now contains various piscinas, a vaulted stone roof over the choir with heraldic shields,a  fully rigged ship of 1800 and a plaque showing the arms of St Monans dating from 1792.
• Used for Presbyterian worship.
• The surrounding graveyard is of interest being the last resting place of many local families.

Here is the interior showing the model of a c 1800 ship.

Inside St Monans Church, Fife Coast, Scotland

Inside St Monans Church, Fife Coast, Scotland

This church is something of a ‘hidden gem’ which I try to incorporate in my tours of the Fife Coast whenever possible.

Anstruther Harbour, Fife Coast, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Anstruther, a charming former fishing village on the Fife Coast and now very popular with tourists.

I invariably inlcude a visit to Anstruther in course of my Scotland tours. Attractions here include:

• Pleasant ambiance arising from a juxtaposition of (a) the old architecture dating back to the fishing port golden days of about 200 years ago (b) the busy marina full of a wide variety of boats and (c) shop attractions including the famous Anstruther Fish Bar which holds awards for the quality of its fish and chips.
• The Scottish Fishweries Museum which is located close to the harbour and provides a comprehensive display of vessels associated with Scotland’s long involvement in the fishing industry.
• Life Boat visitor centre.

Fife Coast Architecture, Anstruther, Scotland

Beach at Anstruther, Fife Coast, Scotland

Anstruther Fish and Chips, Scotland

This morning we departed our Dunkeld lodgings and proceeded as follows:

Dunkeld Cathedral. Historic site on banks of River Tay. As a Christian site dates from 6th century AD with current structure built in 13th C.

View of Dunkeld Cathedral, Scotland

Town Square, Dunkeld, Scotland

St Andrews. Here we visited the Old Course, town centre, Cathedral and Castle. Drove through the town passing various university buildings.

Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland

Cathedral at St Andrews, Scotland

Castle at St Andrews, Scotland

Anstruther. Here we availed of lunch at famous Fish Bar which is ranked as one of Scotland’s top fish and chip shops.

Anstruther Fish Bar, Scotland

Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire. This features on guest’s ancestry trail. A former textile mill town with now just one business in the sector (producing kilts). We spent time in this town finding relevant addresses and generally exploring. Had refreshment at good local cafe.

Ochill Street, Tillicoultry, Scotland

Popular Institute, Ochill Street, Tillicoultry

Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, Scotland

Alva. Another former milltown linked to guest’s ancestry. A brief stop here.

Finally, we got into Edinburgh and checked into lodgings about 6.15pm.

Overall, a productive day aided by clement weather.

Tomorrow we explore Edinburgh.