Markinch

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Note: the similarly named Merkinch is an area of Inverness

Markinch (Gaelic: Marg Innis) is a village situated in the heart of Fife, in the eastern central lowlands of Scotland. According to the 2001 census it has a population 2,254. Markinch sits immediately east of Fife's administrative centre and former new town, Glenrothes.

[edit] Origins

Markinch is said to have been capital of Fife when it was one of the seven provinces of Pictland and in medieval times it was the burgh of barony of Dalgynch. Terraces on Markinch Hill are thought to be either medieval or Roman in origin and on the northern outskirts of the town beside the East Lodge of Balbirnie House stands the ancient Celtic Stob Cross which may have marked the limits of sanctuary of Markinch Church.

It is built on the top and sides of a low ridge, which, according to tradition, was once an island in a lake. This is supposed to explain the derivation of the name Markinch. The height of this ridge is greater at its northern and southern extremities than at the centre. The northern was at one time occupied by a Culdee cell; and the southern, known as Markinch Hill, has six terraces, each 20 feet broad, and rising one above the other, cut out from it. By some, these terraces have been ascribed to the Romans, while others have thought it probable that they were intended for an amphitheatre, from which games, etc., engaged in below, might easily be viewed. It is now hardly possible to make out the terraces, owing to the ridge being overgrown with trees, planted by the late General Balfour. When the parish church was built is unknown; it was, however, enlarged and repaired in 1806, and has now 1050 sittings. The Free church was renovated, and two stained-glass windows were inserted, in 1883; and there is also a U.P. church.

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 approaching from south
Markinch approaching from south

[edit] 20th Century Onwards

The population of Markinch reached a peak of 6,800 in 1901 as a result of the development of papermaking, textile, coal mining, distilling and building industries. Papermaking was an important local employer based on the town's close proximity to the River Leven, until the only paper mill in the town, Sappi Graphics, closed down a few years ago. The Tullis Russell paper mill, however, in nearby Glenrothes is still in operation with a 600 strong labour workforce.

Markinch's former Haig’s Whisky factory is now used as a business park and is split in to small units. This is where Fife radio station Kingdom FM is based. Haig’s used to be a major employer in the town and many local residents still have connections with the firm.

The town benefits from having a range of local facilities including football, bowling, tennis and curling clubs and parks. Markinch's park is dedicated to Provost John Dixon who presented it to the burgh in 1919. Markinch is also in the fortunate position of being located next to the much larger Balbirnie Park, which is located immediately west of Markinch and includes a golf course, hotel and craft centre.

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 village.

Amenities in the village centre include shops, restaurants, a travel agent, bars, a part-time bank, a building society, 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).

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.

Markinch has good transport links being well linked to Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh via rail. Markinch Interchange lies on the Edinburgh to Aberdeen Line and also has connections to Perth and the Highland Main Line to Inverness. The station has recently been upgraded with a new station building, longer platforms, and park and ride facilities. Regular bus services link the station with Glenrothes and Leven Town Centres.

The station was once a terminus of a branch line, which ran through the land now occupied by Glenrothes between Leslie and Markinch. The line was closed to passengers in 1935, but remained open to freight until 1967. The former branchline now forms part of the Fife Cycle Network and has been named Böblingen Way, after Glenrothes' German Twin Town. Another section of the branch line which linked to Tullis Russell paper mill was still in use until the early 1990's, but this has now also been removed and converted into a cycleway linking to Glenrothes.

Markinch has frequent bus services to Glenrothes and Levenmouth provided by a number of bus service providers.

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 56.20174° N 3.13951° W