A Charming Escape to Kilconquhar
The picturesque village of Kilconquhar is located near Fife and Elie & Earlsferry, on the Kilconquhar Loch, and is believed to have been established approximately fourteen centuries ago. It is a village that is bursting with charm, history and tranquility and has many attractions, activities and noteworthy sites for visitors to enjoy. Shrouded in mystery and debate, discovering the origins and history of Kilconquhar and its loch is as much an adventure as exploring the village itself.
At the centre of the village is the Kilconguhar Parish Church and it is said that the church was built on the site of an old missionary building that was erected here during the 600’s. The church itself was dated back to the year 1821, and it is believed that the name of the village is directly related to the church. In Gaelic, Cill Conchubair is translated to Church of Conquhar, leading to the village being named Kilconquhar.
When it comes to the Kilconquhar Loch, nothing is certain. Besides the fact that one has to search for the loch and cannot see it from the village, there are many different tales regarding its origins and the cause for its current state. Many say the loch is ancient and is fed by springs, while others tell the story of a mighty storm in 1625 that led to the blockage of the loch’s outflow. But no matter what it was used for or how it originated, it is today a Special Scientific Interest Site.
Attractions in and around Kilconquhar include Kellie Castle, St Andrews Castle, the Scottish Fisheries Museum, Fife Folk Museum, John McDouall Stuart Museum, Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse and Garden, Falkland Palace, St Andrews Cathedral and St Rule’s Tower, St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum and Garden, Crawford Arts Centre, British Golf Museum, Tantallon Castle, Museum of Flight, Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery and the Myretom Motor Museum.
For accommodation, visitors to Kilconquhar don’t have to look any further than the Kilconquhar Castle Estate. The castle was originally built in the 1500s, suffered great fire damage in 1979, but was renovated and restored to become a magnificent self-catering facility. Set amongst more than a hundred and thirty acres of woodlands and spectacular gardens, visitors can look forward to relaxation and great activities such as swimming, golf, guided tours and horse riding. For a truly historic and entertaining, yet quaint, destination, Kilconquhar is the answer.
