Markinch

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Note: the similarly named Merkinch is an area of Inverness

Markinch is a small town located in Fife, Scotland.

Markinch looking north
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Markinch looking north

Although many debate whether Markinch is a small town or large village it is widely regarded by Fife Council as a small town. The population remains stable at just below 3000. Every year on the first Sunday of June the popular Markinch Highland Games are held in John Dixon park.Dougray Scott has previously opened the games. The Constituency office of Tricia Marwick, Scottish National Party, Member of the Scottish Parliament is in the town.

The parish church, prominently situated on a mound at the highest point of the village, and dedicated to the Pictish St. Drostan, is recorded in documents from the 11th century on, though it may well be of earlier origin. Though the body of the church is a plain Georgian 'preaching box' of 1786, the adjoining tower is medieval, and may date to the late 11th-early 12th centuries. Of exceptionally fine masonry, it is very similar to the tower of St. Rule's Church in St Andrews, and may be a copy of it on a smaller scale. It is crowned by a rather incongruous small Classical spire added in 1807.

Markinch's local amenities, include two shops, a fish bar, an Indian restaurant, two Chinese restaurants, a travel agent, many bars, a bank (open part time), a building society office, a chemist, a bakers, a beauty salon and many hairdressers (there is a running joke among residents, as to why such a small town has so many hair salons). Balbirnie Park is located immediately east of Markinch and has its own golf club, hotel and craft centre.

Markinch sits adjacent to the former New Town of Glenrothes. It is also close to the villages of Star, Coaltown of Balgonie and Milton of Balgonie. Nearby, at Castletown of Balgonie, stands historic Balgonie Castle, one of Scotland's best-preserved medieval tower-houses (early 15th century, with later ranges). Privately owned; open to the public in summer. Markinch is a popular place to live due in part to its easy travelling time to Dundee and Edinburgh via Rail. Markinch Railway station is served by Virgin and First Scotrail Services and is on the Scottish East Coast Mainline. Markinch also has frequent bus services to Glenrothes and Leven provided by Fife Scottish and Moffat and Williamson.

A prominent feature in Markinch is the former Haig’s Whisky factory which is now used as a business park and is split in to small units. Haig’s used to be a major employer in the town and many local residents still have connections with the firm.

Markinch Primary school consistently performs well in comparison to other local schools and most pupils from Markinch go on to Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes to continue their education.


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