Culross

Today we travelled across the water to the Kingdom of Fife to visit Culross (pronounced Coo ros)

The town is believed to have been founded by Saint Serf during the 6th century. Legend states that when the British princess (and future saint) Teneu, daughter of the king of Lothian, fell pregnant before marriage, her family threw her from a cliff. Surviving the fall unharmed, she came across an unmanned boat and sailed across the Firth of Forth landing at Culross. There she was cared for by Saint Serf who became foster-father to her son Saint Mungo (Kentigern)(d. 612)

During the 16th and 17th centuries, the town was a centre of the coal mining industry. The first coal mine in the world to extend under the sea was established in 1575 by Sir George Bruce of Carnock, who also built the 'Palace' of Culross as a family home. The mine, considered innovative, was destroyed by a storm in 1625.

Culross' secondary industry was salt panning and it was also known for its the manufacture of 'girdles' (flat iron plates for baking over an open fire)

The town's role as a port declined from the 18th century, and by Victorian times it had become something of a 'ghost town'.

During the 20th century however it became obvious that Culross contained many unique historical buildings and the National Trust for Scotland has been working on their preservation and restoration since the 1930s.

Buildings of interest in the town include Culross Town House, Culross Palace, and the remains of the Cistercian house of Culross Abbey, founded 1217. The tower, transepts and choir of the Abbey Church remain in use as the parish church, while the ruined Abbey buildings are cared for by Historic Scotland. Many of the houses in the town, although privately owned, are under the protection of the National Trust for Scotland.

According to the 2001 census the village has a population of 395.

23 June backblipped