Map Of Fife

  The two villages of Elie and Earlsferry are linked around a natural harbor and are now popular seaside resorts with many facilities to offer both locals and visitors. Gone are the days of the 1800's when the harbor was a bustling port.

  Today Elie and Earlsferry have a more relaxed atmosphere where people enjoy windsurfing, sailing and golf. The most famous Elie golfer is James Braid who won the Open Golf Championship five times between 1901 and 1910.

  Earlsferry is a very old village where the ferries used to arrive from North Berwick and other ports on the Lothian coast. The village, however, owes its name to Macduff, the Thane of the Earl of Fife in the 11th century. When Macduff was escaping from the clutches of Macbeth he took refuge in a cave near Kincraig Point until it was safe for a local fisherman to ferry him over the Firth of Forth to Dunbar. Thereafter the village was known as Earlsferry.

  Beyond Earlsferry lie the ruins of an old chapel which provided shelter for pilgrims heading to and from the town of St Andrews. There is also an old road leading from Earlsferry which crosses the golf course and was known as " Cadgers Road." This led to the Royal Palace at Falkland and was the route that carriers or " cadgers " took to deliver fresh fish to the Royal Palace. There are many historic building throughout the villages. One of the oldest, known as the " Castle " stands in South Street and dates back to about 1500. Also in South Street is Gillespie House which was rebuilt in 1870 but kept the " Muckle Yett " doorway of an earlier house on this site. Nearby, and in the High Street is the old Parish Church built in 1639 by Sir William Scott of Ardross. Its Tower, with its interesting octagonal shape, was added later in 1726. Elie house built in 1697 was cursed by a gypsy. The curse stated that only six generations of the residents, the family of Anstruther's, would live in the house, and this is exactly what happened.

  The loch at Kilconquhar is a favorite haunt of wildlife, but in winter when the loch is completely frozen over it is a popular spot for members of the " roaring game " of Curling. This loch forms a spectacular setting for the nearby early 19th century church which sits high above the loch and Kilconquhar village. There has been a church here since the early 12th century and legend maintains that witches were often taken to the loch and drowned to punish then for their evil ways.

  The main street of Kilconquhar threads its way around the church and there are many fine examples of 18th century houses throughout the village which well deserves its fame as one of Scotland's " Best Kept Villages."

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