Places to Visit
Hill of Tarvit Mansion House
The
mansion house is reached off the A916 road near Ceres. The house originally was
built on the site known as Wemysshall and this was remodelled in 1906 by one of
Scotland's greatest architects, Sir Robert Lorimer. The house has splendid
furnishings and fittings as well as lovely gardens and
grounds
Scotstarvit
Tower
An L-shaped, 5 storey building built
between 1550 and 1579. In 1611, it was acquired by Sir John Scott- scholar,
author, geographer and map maker- whose book "The Staggering State of Scot's
Statesmen" accused many well-known Scottish politicians of fraud and trickery.
The keys for the tower are available from Hill of Tarvit Mansion House
nearby.
Fife Folk
Museum
The Museum is situated in and around the
17th century Tolbooth- Weigh House of Ceres, a charming and picturesque village
a few miles south-east of Cupar. The collection illustrates the domestic,
economic and social life of bygone days in Fife with special emphasis on
agriculture and its ancillary trades.
'The
Provost'
In the main centre of the village
of Ceres sits 'The Provost', a three foot high stone-carved figure set in a
twelve-foot pillared structure. Discovered overgrown and forgotten in the
grounds of a nearby house, this little stone gentleman (said to have been
sculpted in the 17th century to represent a former church provost) resumed a
position of importance in village life in 1939.
Working Pottery
Situated in the village of Ceres the Pottery specialises in the style
of the traditional Wemyss Ware and is noted for the quality of the painting and
the beauty of the colours.
Dura Den and Kemback
Like a
small Highland Glen set in the heart of Fife's peaceful scenery, Dura Den, a
few miles east of Ceres, runs dramatically through a narrow cleft of
countryside bounded by wooded hillside and curiously moulded sandstone cliffs.
Adding to the scenic interest is a tributary of the River Eden- the Ceres Burn-
which accompanies the road through its winding passage.
The Cross, Cupar
At the head of the Crossgate in Cupar stands the monument which
symbolises the ancient right of the Burgh community, reaffirmed by grant of
King Robert 1 in 1327, to hold a market for the surrounding area. A Royal Burgh
for at least six centuries, Cupar was the former county town of Fife and is
still the local administrative centre of the area. Because of the Tolbooth and
the Law courts of former years it used to be said that, "He that will to Cupar
maun to Cupar" .That is if anyone was going to Cupar it was because they had
been summoned by Law. It is now a busy shopping and social centre with many
active clubs in the town.
Cupar Parish Church
Original
building erected in 1415 with changes in 1620. The old kirkyard contains the
Martyr's Tomb in memory of the covenanters executed in
1680.
Douglas Bader
Gardens
Situated in Duffus Park, Cupar.
The gardens are designed for use principally by the disabled. Raised beds at
different levels are blended in with rock gardens, waterfalls sheltered seating
and an aviary.
Hopetoun
Monument
On Mount Hill, about 3 miles
north of Cupar, is the conspicuous 100 ft. column erected in 1824 to the memory
of Sir John Hope, the famous soldier who fought in the battle of
Corunna.
David Crichton Statue
At the top
of the hill near the Cupar railway station is the imposing statue of David
Maitland Makgill Crichton. Born in 1801 he was a famous free Church man and a
radical politician. When the Edinburgh and Northern Railway company only
planned a level crossing for the use of townfolk, he fought for a safer more
convenient bridge.
Dairsie Church and Bridge
Lying
just south of the neat and tidy village of Dairsie is the old Dairsie Church,
the exterior of which remains much as it was when first built by Archbishop
John Spottiswoode in 1621. Adjacent to the church is the renovated Dairsie
Castle now privately restored. Below the church is the narrow triple-arched
Dairsie Bridge under which flows the River Eden on its way towards its estuary
at Guardbridge. Around 460 years old, this quaint stone-built bridge carries
the crest of the man who ordered its building , Archbishop James
Beaton.
Collessie
Church
Completed in 1839, Collesie Church
is a T-shaped turreted building overlooking the fertile Howe of Fife, a
favourite area of King James V who often wandered around this district in
disguise, partly in order to find out what his subjects really thought of
him.
The Royal Palace of
Falkland
Towering high in the heart of
Falkland and providing a magnificent centre-piece to this old-worlde village,
stands the remarkable and impressive Royal Palace of Falkland, a country
residence in the 16th and 17th century of the Stuart Kings and Queens. The
Palace was built between 1501 and 1541 by James IV and James V and has many
magnificent features. The lovely Gardens contain the original Royal Tennis
Court built in 1539.
Strathmiglo Tolbooth Steeple
Strathmiglo was an important religious centre in the days of the
Celtic Church and it became a Burgh of Barony in 1605. Standing prominently in
the village is Tolbooth Steeple which was erected in 1734 and which bears a
distinct resemblance to the Tower House and spire in nearby Auchtermuchty. The
handsome, 70ft. steeple was built in five stages and a sundial and armorial
panel can be seen on the second stage. It is topped by an octagonal
spire.
Laing Museum
On the main street in the town of
Newburgh situated on the banks of the River Tay. Has a varied temporary
exhibition programme and a historical reference library. Recent exhibitions
include "The Picts in Fife". Discovering the pictish sites in the ancient
Kingdom of Fife..
Lindores Abbey
Ruins of Abbey of
what was once an impressive building on the outskirts of Newburgh, founded in
1178 for the monks of the Tyronensian order.
Abdie Church
On the west side of
Lindores Loch sits the very old small picturesque church of Abdie with
interesting stones and setting.
The Lomond Hills
The gentle
Lomond Hills, the highest of which - West Lomond stands at 1713 ft. are very
dear to the people of Fife. The area offers lovely walks, picnic area and
marvellous views. Hang gliders can be seen on warm summer days catching the
thermals.
Birnie Loch Nature
Reserve
Off the B937Ladybank road near
Collessie. A wetland made up of open water and a large marsh with easy flat
walks.Birnie Loch is good for many species of ducks while nearby Gaddon loch is
more open quieter and excels in wading birds.
Rankeillor Park
2 miles west of Cupar on the A91. Incorporating the Scottish Deer
Centre with, deer herds, ranger led tours, falconry displays and
exhibitions.
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Annual Events | Recreation ]
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