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You may find this relevant information helpful when researching the area prior to your visit

Tour Abbot House - Dunfermline

The oldest building in Dunfermline, West Fife, situated in the Maygate at the centre of the burgh.

Although it was built on the line of the old abbey wall, it was never the home of an Abbot of Dunfermline. Constructed in the 16th century after the Reformation, it was probably built for Robert Pitcairn, Commendator (lay administrator) of the old Abbey estates.

In 1994 the building was opened as a museum tracing the story of the town from Pictish times to the present day.

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Visit Abdie Church

The remains of the old church of Abdie is found at Grange of Lindores, about a mile to the south of Newburgh. The Grange farmhouse is on the site of the Abbey farmhouse; the granary and centre for the agricultural produce for the monks.

In 1300, Abdie was referred to as Ebedyn, a modem descendent of an old ecclesiastical term denoting a 'shrine' connected with an abbey or monastery. As Abdie was known to have existed before Lindores Abbey was built the shrine probably bore some relationship to the ancient celtic foundation of Abernethy, of which all trace has been swept away.

In the foundation charter of Lindores Abbey by David Earl of Huntingdon in 1178, the first bequest made to the Abbey was the Church of Lindores (as Abdie was then known). The probable derivation of Lindores is Lann, sacred enclosure and Dobbar (pronounced dour), water hence Church by the water. Its altar (like Flisk Church) was dedicated to St. Ninian, a 5th century missionary while the building was dedicated to St. Adrian, a 9th century bishop of Abemethy whose name is also associated with Macduff s cross. There are several stones in and around the church that are of interest including a floreated cross found under the floor of the chancel and a 14th c. sculptured recumbent figure of an ecclesiastic clad in cassock and amice (hood with tassels).

In 1652, Sir Michael Balfour of Denmiln, comptroller of the Household of Charles I was buried here, and also his son, Sir James Balfour, Lyon. King of Arms is commemorated on a stone erected amongst various memorials in 1661 by Sir James' son, Robert, then ten years old acting under the guardianship of his uncle Michael Balfour of Pitmedden.

A much earlier artefact, at least 3rd century, can be seen in the church yard, in the form of the Lindores stone. This is a whinstone boulder 3ft. high and 17 ins. broad which used to stand on the adjoining ridge but removed in 1850. It is decorated with triple discs and a prominent crescent, two leaf-topped wands and a rod, perhaps of office. This stood near the site of McDuffs castle and not far from the Moot hill of Lindores. A moot was an assembly held for the purpose of trial and judgement. Here is where the Thane of Fife and his forbears and descendants stood and delivered judgement to the inhabitants of the surrounding region.