Culross

Settlement in Fife

Scotland

Culross

Culross, located in the county of Fife, Scotland, is a picturesque village with a rich historical and architectural heritage. Situated on the northern bank of the Firth of Forth, Culross is often referred to as a "time capsule" due to its remarkably well-preserved 17th-century appearance.

The village's charm lies in its narrow cobbled streets, traditional buildings, and quaint cottages made of stone with red-tiled roofs. Many of these buildings are protected as national monuments, including the Culross Palace, a stunning mansion built in the 16th century. This magnificent residence showcases exquisite period furniture and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Culross Abbey, founded in 1217, is another notable landmark in the village. This Gothic-style monastery still maintains its original structure, with its impressive ruins serving as a reminder of its former grandeur.

The town's economy historically relied on coal mining, salt production, and trade. Today, Culross has shifted towards tourism, attracting visitors who are keen to explore its historical treasures. The village is also renowned for its involvement in the TV series "Outlander," with many of its locations featuring in the show.

In addition to its architectural wonders, Culross offers stunning views of the Firth of Forth and has a charming harbor where visitors can take leisurely walks. The village also hosts various events throughout the year, including a popular annual summer fair.

Overall, Culross is a hidden gem that transports visitors back in time, providing a glimpse into Scotland's rich history and architectural heritage.

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Culross Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.056507/-3.629838 or Grid Reference NS9886. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

A985 north of Culross, Fife

Alpin Stewart

A985 north of Culross, Fife

Alpin Stewart

Culross Pier

A very pretty little village with a past history of coal mining under the sea using a horse powered 'Egyptian wheel'. The pier has been restored in recent years. The tide was well in so there wasn't much to see.

Chris Allen

Railway line at Culross

The Dunfermline to Kincardine-on-Forth Railway was opened in 1906. The line was built here on an embankment at the edge of the shore, which pushed the shoreline out into the Forth by up to 50m in places. Passenger services were not well used and ceased in 1930. Goods traffic ran until 1964. The construction of coal-fired power stations at Kincardine in 1962 and Longannet in 1970 led to a revival of the line, but both of these have now closed and freight traffic no longer runs on the line. There is a possibility that passenger services could perhaps be reinstated on the line in the future. The sleepers here are steel - these have a very long life (typically 50 years) and can be recycled when they need to be replaced.

Richard Sutcliffe

Coastal path, Culross

The path passes the public car park, which has capacity for just over 100 cars.

Richard Sutcliffe

Culross Pier

The original pier consisted of a stone built structure about 100m out into the Forth linked to another stone pier attached to the shore (just visible on the left) by a wooden platform. With the construction of the new railway line along the edge of the shore which opened in 1906, an embankment was built out from the original shoreline for the railway to run along NS9885 : Railway line at Culross and this cut the shore side of the pier in half. Only the end which attached to the wooden platform still extended into the Forth. The northern end can still be seen between the road and railway NS9885 : Old anchor, Culross. Over time both sections of stone pier deteriorated. The wooden platform eventually disappeared. In 2007 work started to restore the pier and volunteers have since rebuilt the platform in the same form as the original, linking the shore to the outer structure once again. The work on the outer pier is nearing completion.

Richard Sutcliffe

Railway line at Culross

The Dunfermline to Kincardine-on-Forth Railway was opened in 1906. The line was built here on an embankment at the edge of the shore, which pushed the shoreline out into the Forth by up to 50m in places. Passenger services were not well used and ceased in 1930. Goods traffic ran until 1964. The construction of coal-fired power stations at Kincardine in 1962 and Longannet in 1970 led to a revival of the line, but both of these have now closed and freight traffic no longer runs on the line. There is a possibility that passenger services could perhaps be reinstated on the line in the future. Compare this image with one taken in 2021 NS9885 : Railway line at Culross, when the Longannet chimney was still to be seen in the distance.

Richard Sutcliffe

Culross Pier

Looking towards the end of the pier. This is the original stone built structure about 100m out into the Forth linked to another stone pier attached to the shore by a wooden platform. A slow process of restoring the pier is approaching completion, with only the final few metres at the far end NS9885 : The end of the pier still to be concreted over.

Richard Sutcliffe

The end of the pier

A slow process of restoring Culross Pier is approaching completion, with only the final few metres at the far end still to be concreted over.

Richard Sutcliffe

The western end of Culross

Seen from near the end of Culross Pier. The wooden posts (which have words engraved on them) have been installed as part of the restoration of the pier.

Richard Sutcliffe

Culross

Seen from the end of Culross Pier.

Richard Sutcliffe

Dunimarle Castle and houses on Balgownie West

Seen from Culross Pier.

Richard Sutcliffe

Wooden post, Culross Pier

One of several wooden posts (which have words engraved on them) which have been installed as part of the restoration of the pier.

Richard Sutcliffe

A quiet place for a read

Enjoying a book on the pier at Culross.

Richard Sutcliffe

Wooden platform to the end of Culross Pier

Looking from the original stone-built pier about 100m out into the Forth. It is linked to another stone pier attached to the shore by the wooden platform. The jumbled stones to the left show that the original pier once extended slightly closer to the shore.

Richard Sutcliffe

Culross Pier

The original pier consisted of a stone built structure about 100m out into the Forth linked to another stone pier attached to the shore (just visible on the right) by a wooden platform. Over time both sections of stone pier deteriorated. The wooden platform eventually disappeared. In 2007 work started to restore the pier and volunteers have since rebuilt the platform in the same form as the original, linking the shore to the outer structure once again. The work on the outer pier is nearing completion.

Richard Sutcliffe

Sea defences, Culross

Looking along the shore to the east of the pier. The closed Dunfermline to Kincardine-on-Forth Railway line runs along the embankment at the edge of the shore.

Richard Sutcliffe

Culross Pier

The original pier consisted of a stone built structure about 100m out into the Forth linked to another stone pier attached to the shore (visible on the right) by a wooden platform. Over time both sections of stone pier deteriorated. The wooden platform eventually disappeared. In 2007 work started to restore the pier and volunteers have since rebuilt the platform in the same form as the original, linking the shore to the outer structure once again. The work on the outer pier is nearing completion. Grangemouth refinery can be seen in the distance on the far side of the Forth.

Richard Sutcliffe

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Culross is located at Grid Ref: NS9886 (Lat: 56.056507, Lng: -3.629838)

Unitary Authority: Fife

Police Authority: Fife