Step Back In Time With A Visit
To Culross Village

Places To See in Scotland > Culross Village

I was supposed to be on a college walking trip, (I go on country and woodland walks with a Renfrewshire college) and for some reason the plans were changed at the last minute, so we ended up here.

I can tell you though, nobody in the group complained. The village of Culross (pronounced Coo-Ross) is a lovely little place that gives you the feeling of having been transported back in time. Transported back as far as the 16th century in fact.

This effect is largely due to the magnificent work done by the National Trust for Scotland over the years, particularly in restoring and caring for Culross Palace, the Town House, and the remains of Culross Abbey.


The Village of Culross .....


Having said that, many of the narrow cobbled streets, walls and houses are still in their original form, which helps add to the feel, and the authentic flavour of the place.

This former Royal Burgh was once a busy seaport on the Firth of Forth, exporting salt and coal until the 18th century, and it is thought by many to have been the birthplace of St Mungo. A walk through the village streets has your mind going for a wander as you try to imagine life as it might have been here around three or four hundred years ago.


The Town House .....


As you enter Culross village, one of the first interesting buildings you come to, which dates back to 1626, is the old Town House. The clock tower structure was added much later, round about the early 1780s.

The Town House was once the home of local government and it was also used as a prison. It is said that suspected witches were held prisoner in the attic.

Talk about first impressions! You've only just entered the village and already you're gripped with the history, and a sense of having a cheeky, uninvited peek at a past life, not unlike the feeling you get with a dream that you've just had, and you're struggling to remember the details.

The Abbey .....


We stopped to have our packed lunch, and we couldn't have chosen a more peaceful spot, among the fascinating ruins of Culross Abbey.

I say fascinating, because after you take the steep climb leading to the Abbey you come to a display board showing the ground plans of the original building, which does not resemble what you see now.

This is explained in part because the original Abbey was built in the 13th century, but was then restored in the early 19th and 20th centuries, when many of the original features were removed. The Chapels were reinstated though, and they are now open to the public for worship and wedding ceremonies.

One of Scotland's greatest naval heroes, Admiral Thomas Cochrane, born near Hamilton, spent his childhood in Abbey House, until he joined the Royal Navy in 1793. His memorial stands in the centre of Culross Village.


The Palace and the Garden .....


Although we had a packed lunch, Culross has the Red Lion Inn, serving food from 12 noon til 9pm daily. Obviously I didn't get to sample the food, but it was highly recommended by our group leader, who has. Then our wonderful tour of Culross Village continued after lunch when we moved on to see Culross Palace, which has been beautifully restored to its original distinctive yellowish colour with a red tiled roof, and shuttered windows.

Building started on the Palace at the end of the 16th century, and it was completed in 1611, for Sir George Bruce, an industrialist and Laird of Carnock, who promoted industry in the Burgh of Culross.

The interior of the "Palace" has pine panelled walls, ceiling paintings of biblical scenes, and 18th century furniture. Beside the Palace you'll find Bessie Bar Hall, which now has a tearoom, should you fancy a tea or coffee, and it's open until 5pm.

Although the "Palace" was not a royal residence, it was visited by James VI in 1617. I found behind the building much more interesting, with the model 17th century garden, restored by the National Trust for Scotland.

The garden was more like the woodland walk that we should have been on, with its winding paths taking you through fruit trees, herbs and vegetable plots that would have been found here in the 17th century.

I must confess : I sampled a plum along the way, and it definitely was not past its sell-by date. Seriously though, Culross Village is great for a day trip in Scotland. When you look to the east from the shore of the village you can see the Grangemouth Oil Refinery and Longannet Power Station, which makes you wonder if Culross had just been placed there randomly.

Culross Village is located 7 miles west of Dunfermline just off the A985, and there's plenty of brown tourist information signs to guide you there. On arrival at the Village, you'll find a good sized car park just outside, with toilet facilities.

Visitors with a walking disability may find access to the Abbey and the Palace Garden quite difficult, as there is a steep climb up to them.

So, what price a house in Culross? To be honest, I don't think you'll ever see one appear on the market, the people tend to stay there.

Now that I know a little more about Culross Village I feel that I have to
go back there. It's always better when you know some of the history.

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