Newburgh, Fife
Encyclopedia
Newburgh is a royal burgh
of Fife
, Scotland
having a population of 2040 (est 2004). Newburgh has grown little since 1901 when the population was counted at 1904 persons.
It is situated on the Firth of Tay
, 7 m. N.W. of Ladybank Junction alongside the Edinburgh to Aberdeen
railway line (between Perth and Ladybank). Newburgh railway station
closed in 1951 (pre-Beeching
), and has never reopened in spite of local campaigns for its reinstatement. Fife Scottish (now Stagecoach in Fife) used to have a depot at East Shore Road. But the depot closed in 1991, and nowadays Newburgh is an outstation of Glenrothes depot; three double deckers are parked overnight every night.
For some time, its industries chiefly consisted of the making of linen and floorcloth, malting and quarrying, and there were fisheries, especially of salmon. The harbour was used for the transshipment
of the cargoes of Perth
-bound vessels of over 200 tons. But most of these industries have now gone. A linoleum
factory, owned by Courtaulds
, which had been the town's principal employer, closed in May 1980 after a large fire destroyed much of the building. After many years of lying derelict, the factory has since been completely demolished and cleared and its site is now a recreational waterfront. Local services and a few shops provide limited employment, but most residents now commute to larger towns. However, one quarry, for many years owned by Bell Brothers, is still operational, and is now owned by Ennstone Thistle. T Robertson & Sons, of Whinpark Quarry, still run a road contractors' business, although the quarry itself is no longer in operation.
town house, with central tower and spire, was built on the south side of the High Street in 1808. It forms a continuous block with the other houses. The Laing Museum and Library was added to the north side of the street in 1894-96. Museum open in summer only.
in return for its chief's services against Macbeth
was granted rights of sanctuary and composition for murder done in hot blood.
road, was the home for more than 250 years of the Balfour of Denmylne family, of which the two brothers, James
(1600–1657), the annalist and Lyon King, and Andrew
(1630–1694), founder of the Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
, were the most distinguished members. The Castle was abandoned in 1772 when the estate was sold, now stands within a 19th century steading whose construction will have necessitated the removal of the Castle's subsidiary buildings. It been unroofed for at least 200 years and is in an increasingly dangerous state of disrepair. A lintel dated 1620 has been re-used in one of the steading's building.
is situated near the Tay, on the East side of the town. Of the Tironensian (reformed Benedictine
) abbey
, founded about 1190 by David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of William the Lion, there are only fragmentary remain, although the ground plan of the whole structure can still be traced. Best preserved are the south-west gateway through the precinct wall, various discontinuous fragments of the wall itself, and part of the east cloister range, including the still vaulted slype (passage from the cloister to the east end of the church), all built of local red sandstone. The monastic church itself had a single aisle on the north side, with aisled north and south transepts, a central tower (presumably) and a detached western tower or campanile
, as at Cambuskenneth Abbey
.
The monks were noted agriculturists and their orchards famous. Many of the houses in Newburgh's High Street have orchards with trees descended from the original plantings, although many plots have now been sold and developed for housing. Numerous architectural fragments from the Abbey are built into buildings in the town.
At Blackearnside, a forest of alders, to the east of the village, Wallace
defeated Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
in 1298.
Mugdrum Island
, opposite the large Mugdrum estate from which it takes its name, ("ridge of the pig[s]" in Gaelic), is offshore in the Firth dividing it into 'North Deep' and 'South Deep' channels. For many years cattle were ferried over to the island for summer grazing, but this is no longer practised.
football
club Newburgh F.C.
Burgh
A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United...
of Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
having a population of 2040 (est 2004). Newburgh has grown little since 1901 when the population was counted at 1904 persons.
It is situated on the Firth of Tay
Firth of Tay
The Firth of Tay is a firth in Scotland between the council areas of Fife, Perth and Kinross, the City of Dundee and Angus, into which Scotland's largest river in terms of flow, the River Tay, empties....
, 7 m. N.W. of Ladybank Junction alongside the Edinburgh to Aberdeen
Edinburgh to Aberdeen Line
The Edinburgh to Aberdeen Line is a railway line linking Edinburgh with Aberdeen via the Forth Bridge, the Tay Bridge and Dundee. Also it serves as an extension to the East Coast Main Line and the Cross Country Route...
railway line (between Perth and Ladybank). Newburgh railway station
Newburgh railway station
-Timeline of the station's history:There have been several railway stations in Newburgh, Fife. The original was opened in 1848 by the Edinburgh and Northern Railway. The line through the station was from Ladybank to Perth...
closed in 1951 (pre-Beeching
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
), and has never reopened in spite of local campaigns for its reinstatement. Fife Scottish (now Stagecoach in Fife) used to have a depot at East Shore Road. But the depot closed in 1991, and nowadays Newburgh is an outstation of Glenrothes depot; three double deckers are parked overnight every night.
For some time, its industries chiefly consisted of the making of linen and floorcloth, malting and quarrying, and there were fisheries, especially of salmon. The harbour was used for the transshipment
Transshipment
Transshipment or Transhipment is the shipment of goods or containers to an intermediate destination, and then from there to yet another destination....
of the cargoes of Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
-bound vessels of over 200 tons. But most of these industries have now gone. A linoleum
Linoleum
Linoleum is a floor covering made from renewable materials such as solidified linseed oil , pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing; pigments are often added to the materials.The finest linoleum floors,...
factory, owned by Courtaulds
Courtaulds
Courtaulds was a United Kingdom-based manufacturer of fabric, clothing, artificial fibres, and chemicals.-Foundation:The Company was founded by George Courtauld and his cousin Peter Taylor in 1794 as a silk, crepe and textile business at Pebmarsh in north Essex trading as George Courtauld & Co...
, which had been the town's principal employer, closed in May 1980 after a large fire destroyed much of the building. After many years of lying derelict, the factory has since been completely demolished and cleared and its site is now a recreational waterfront. Local services and a few shops provide limited employment, but most residents now commute to larger towns. However, one quarry, for many years owned by Bell Brothers, is still operational, and is now owned by Ennstone Thistle. T Robertson & Sons, of Whinpark Quarry, still run a road contractors' business, although the quarry itself is no longer in operation.
Town house
The plain GeorgianGeorgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
town house, with central tower and spire, was built on the south side of the High Street in 1808. It forms a continuous block with the other houses. The Laing Museum and Library was added to the north side of the street in 1894-96. Museum open in summer only.
Macduff's Cross
On high ground, about a mile southwest at 56.339°N 3.2455°W, stand the remains (only the pedestal) of Macduff's Cross, which (in legend) marks the spot where the clan MacduffClan MacDuff
Clan MacDuff is a Scottish armigerous clan, which is registered with Lyon Court, though currently without a chief. Moncreiffe wrote that the Clan MacDuff was the premier clan among the Scottish Gaels. The early chiefs of Clan MacDuff were the Earls of Fife...
in return for its chief's services against Macbeth
Macbeth of Scotland
Mac Bethad mac Findlaích was King of the Scots from 1040 until his death...
was granted rights of sanctuary and composition for murder done in hot blood.
Denmylne Castle
Denmylne Castle(15th century?), about a mile south-east of Newburgh at 56.3443°N 3.2154°W on the CuparCupar
Cupar is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland. The town is situated between Dundee and the New Town of Glenrothes.According to a recent population estimate , Cupar had a population around 8,980 making the town the ninth largest settlement in Fife.-History:The town is believed to have...
road, was the home for more than 250 years of the Balfour of Denmylne family, of which the two brothers, James
James Balfour of Denmyine
Sir James Balfour of Denmylne, 1st Baronet, of Perth and Kinross, Scotland, Scottish annalist and antiquary.He was well acquainted with Sir William Segar and with William Dugdale, to whose Monasticon he contributed. He was knighted by Charles I of Scotland in 1630, was made Lord Lyon King of Arms...
(1600–1657), the annalist and Lyon King, and Andrew
Andrew Balfour (botanist)
Sir Andrew Balfour was a Scottish doctor, botanist, antiquary and book collector, the youngest brother of the antiquarian Sir James Balfour, 1st Baronet.-Life:...
(1630–1694), founder of the Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Originally founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies four sites across Scotland — Edinburgh,...
, were the most distinguished members. The Castle was abandoned in 1772 when the estate was sold, now stands within a 19th century steading whose construction will have necessitated the removal of the Castle's subsidiary buildings. It been unroofed for at least 200 years and is in an increasingly dangerous state of disrepair. A lintel dated 1620 has been re-used in one of the steading's building.
Lindores Abbey
Lindores AbbeyLindores Abbey
Lindores Abbey was a Tironensian abbey on the outskirts of Newburgh in Fife, Scotland. Now a much reduced and overgrown ruin, it lies on the southern banks of the River Tay, about north of the village of Lindores....
is situated near the Tay, on the East side of the town. Of the Tironensian (reformed Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
) abbey
Abbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
, founded about 1190 by David, Earl of Huntingdon, brother of William the Lion, there are only fragmentary remain, although the ground plan of the whole structure can still be traced. Best preserved are the south-west gateway through the precinct wall, various discontinuous fragments of the wall itself, and part of the east cloister range, including the still vaulted slype (passage from the cloister to the east end of the church), all built of local red sandstone. The monastic church itself had a single aisle on the north side, with aisled north and south transepts, a central tower (presumably) and a detached western tower or campanile
Campanile
Campanile is an Italian word meaning "bell tower" . The term applies to bell towers which are either part of a larger building or free-standing, although in American English, the latter meaning has become prevalent.The most famous campanile is probably the Leaning Tower of Pisa...
, as at Cambuskenneth Abbey
Cambuskenneth Abbey
Cambuskenneth Abbey is a ruined Augustinian monastery located on an area of land enclosed by a meander of the River Forth near Stirling in Scotland. The abbey is largely reduced to its foundations. The neighbouring modern village of Cambuskenneth is named after it.Cambuskenneth Abbey was founded...
.
The monks were noted agriculturists and their orchards famous. Many of the houses in Newburgh's High Street have orchards with trees descended from the original plantings, although many plots have now been sold and developed for housing. Numerous architectural fragments from the Abbey are built into buildings in the town.
Natural areas nearby
Nearby Lochmill Loch — 56.3322°N 3.2590°W — has been dammed to provide the town with a water supply and fishing.At Blackearnside, a forest of alders, to the east of the village, Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
defeated Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke was a Franco-English nobleman. Though primarily active in England, he also had strong connections with the French royal house. One of the wealthiest and most powerful men of his age, he was a central player in the conflicts between Edward II of England and...
in 1298.
Mugdrum Island
Mugdrum Island
Mugdrum Island lies in the Firth of Tay, offshore from the town of Newburgh, Fife, in the east of Scotland.-Geography:Mugdrum is low-lying and reedy, with the "North Deep" and "South Deep" channels on either side of the island. It covers an area of ....
, opposite the large Mugdrum estate from which it takes its name, ("ridge of the pig[s]" in Gaelic), is offshore in the Firth dividing it into 'North Deep' and 'South Deep' channels. For many years cattle were ferried over to the island for summer grazing, but this is no longer practised.
Sport
Newburgh is home to the juniorScottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club Newburgh F.C.
Newburgh F.C.
Newburgh F.C. are a Scottish junior football club based in Newburgh, Fife. Their home ground is East Shore Park. Originally founded as Newburgh West End, the club was renamed in 1935. Team colours are black and white....