Balmerino

Settlement in Fife

Scotland

Balmerino

Path to Naughton Castle Gauldry to Norton Castle path in descent.
Path to Naughton Castle Credit: Richard Webb

Balmerino is a small village situated in the eastern coastal region of Fife, Scotland. Located approximately 7 miles west of Dundee, it is nestled on the southern bank of the River Tay. This picturesque village is known for its scenic beauty and historical significance.

With a population of around 200 residents, Balmerino offers a tranquil and peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The village is renowned for its charming 13th-century Cistercian monastery, Balmerino Abbey. This well-preserved ruin attracts tourists and history enthusiasts alike, who are fascinated by its architectural grandeur and rich heritage.

Balmerino is surrounded by stunning landscapes, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The nearby Balmerino Woods offer beautiful woodland walks, with a range of flora and fauna to discover. The village also boasts stunning views across the River Tay, with the Tay Rail Bridge visible in the distance.

Although small in size, Balmerino offers some amenities for its residents and visitors. There is a local pub where locals can gather for a drink and a chat, and a tearoom for those looking to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in a quaint setting. For more extensive amenities, the nearby town of Newport-on-Tay provides a wider range of shops, restaurants, and services.

Balmerino is well-connected to neighboring towns and cities by road, making it easily accessible. Its idyllic location, rich history, and natural beauty make Balmerino an appealing destination for those seeking tranquility and a glimpse into Scotland's past.

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Balmerino Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.409292/-3.042743 or Grid Reference NO3524. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Path to Naughton Castle Gauldry to Norton Castle path in descent.
Path to Naughton Castle
Gauldry to Norton Castle path in descent.
Track over Scurr Hill Above Naughton, part of a network of paths around Balmerino.
Track over Scurr Hill
Above Naughton, part of a network of paths around Balmerino.
Track over Scurr Hill Followed out easily to Peacehill.
Track over Scurr Hill
Followed out easily to Peacehill.
Path over Scurr Hill Towards Balmerino.
Path over Scurr Hill
Towards Balmerino.
Scurr Hill Looking towards the summit. There is a path along the ridge but it requires getting past electric fences with those Slinky like openings.
Scurr Hill
Looking towards the summit. There is a path along the ridge but it requires getting past electric fences with those Slinky like openings.
Path of destruction A round bale has gone for a trundle, leaving a trail through a crop yet to be harvested. A good illustration of the dangers of these things.
Path of destruction
A round bale has gone for a trundle, leaving a trail through a crop yet to be harvested. A good illustration of the dangers of these things.
Track on Hay's Hill A through route to Peacehill.
Track on Hay's Hill
A through route to Peacehill.
View of Dundee From Hay's Hill between Wormit and Balmerino.
View of Dundee
From Hay's Hill between Wormit and Balmerino.
Path on Hays Hill
Path on Hays Hill
Remains of Balmerino Abbey The Cistercian abbey was founded in 1227 and suppressed at the Reformation.   Scheduled monument SM827: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM827" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM827">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Remains of Balmerino Abbey
The Cistercian abbey was founded in 1227 and suppressed at the Reformation. Scheduled monument SM827: LinkExternal link .
Spanish chestnut in the grounds of Balmerino Abbey The aged and gnarled tree dates from about 1550 according to dendchronological measurements: <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrochronology" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrochronology">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Spanish chestnut in the grounds of Balmerino Abbey
The aged and gnarled tree dates from about 1550 according to dendchronological measurements: LinkExternal link .
Balmerino village scene The road to the left leads down to the water.   The yellow colour washed Bridgend House, despite being C-listed (LB2553 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2553" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2553">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ) is derelict.
Balmerino village scene
The road to the left leads down to the water. The yellow colour washed Bridgend House, despite being C-listed (LB2553 LinkExternal link ) is derelict.
Springtime scene After a cold and wet March and earlier part of April in 2023, the trees are at last bursting into life in Balmerino on a beautiful spring day.    The C-listed (LB2555 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2555" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2555">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ) stone bridge over an apparently unnamed burn dates from 1743.
Springtime scene
After a cold and wet March and earlier part of April in 2023, the trees are at last bursting into life in Balmerino on a beautiful spring day. The C-listed (LB2555 LinkExternal link ) stone bridge over an apparently unnamed burn dates from 1743.
The Old Mill, Balmerino The building is B-listed (LB2556 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2556" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2556">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ), where it is described as a ruin, but it has been nicely restored in the meantime.
The Old Mill, Balmerino
The building is B-listed (LB2556 LinkExternal link ), where it is described as a ruin, but it has been nicely restored in the meantime.
Seal sculpture, Balmerino beach It looks to have been carved from one block of wood.    The wave-cut rocks in the background are part of the Ochil volcanic formation, being igneous bedrock formed between 419.2 and 393.3 million years ago during the Devonian period.
Seal sculpture, Balmerino beach
It looks to have been carved from one block of wood. The wave-cut rocks in the background are part of the Ochil volcanic formation, being igneous bedrock formed between 419.2 and 393.3 million years ago during the Devonian period.
Naughton and Birkhill burial enclosures... ...at Balmerino old kirkyard, which is B-listed (LB2557 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2557" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB2557">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> ).   The kirk was relocated to Bottomcraig, about 800 m to the south east, in 1811 and nothing appears to remain of the old kirk.
Naughton and Birkhill burial enclosures...
...at Balmerino old kirkyard, which is B-listed (LB2557 LinkExternal link ). The kirk was relocated to Bottomcraig, about 800 m to the south east, in 1811 and nothing appears to remain of the old kirk.
Coastal rocks at Balmerino... ...with Dundee in the distance, some 4 km across the Firth of Tay.    Ninewells Hospital and Dundee Airport can be seen in the blown-up photo.
Coastal rocks at Balmerino...
...with Dundee in the distance, some 4 km across the Firth of Tay. Ninewells Hospital and Dundee Airport can be seen in the blown-up photo.
Evening Glow This turned out to be one of the best sunsets ever seen over Balmerino Bay
Evening Glow
This turned out to be one of the best sunsets ever seen over Balmerino Bay
Show me another place!

Balmerino is located at Grid Ref: NO3524 (Lat: 56.409292, Lng: -3.042743)

Unitary Authority: Fife

Police Authority: Fife

What 3 Words

///dockers.drums.actual. Near Invergowrie, Perth & Kinross

Related Wikis

Balmerino Abbey

Balmerino Abbey, or St Edward's Abbey, in Balmerino, Fife, Scotland, was a Cistercian monastic community which has been ruinous since the 16th century...

Balmerino

Balmerino is a small village and former monastic centre in Fife, Scotland. It is the home of Balmerino Abbey and the former abbots of Balmerino who were...

Balmerino Parish Church

Balmerino Parish Church is a Church of Scotland parish church in Bottomcraig, Fife, Scotland. The church sits in the centre of the small village where...

Bottomcraig

Bottomcraig is a village in Fife, Scotland located near Balmerino and The Gauldry. The village is home to Balmerino Parish Church, built in 1811, and the...

Gauldry

Gauldry, locally sometimes The Gauldry, is a village in Fife, Scotland. It is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) southwest of Newport on Tay, 2 kilometres...

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.409292,-3.042743
Balmerino
Name Gd: Baile Meireanach
Name Sco: Balmairnie
Place: village
Source: npe
Wikidata: Q1987199
Wikipedia: en:Balmerino
Lat/Long: 56.4107811/-3.0419089
Bus Stop
Balmerino Road End
Bench: yes
Bin: no
Bus: yes
Lit: no
Public Transport: platform
Shelter: yes
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 56.4075909/-3.0426858
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 56.4126448/-3.0380519
Barrier: kissing_gate
Lat/Long: 56.4133628/-3.0426941
Board Type: history
Check Date: 2021-05-30
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 56.4096621/-3.0424633
Historic: memorial
Memorial: war_memorial
Lat/Long: 56.4119675/-3.0387258
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4052322/-3.0449563
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.412382/-3.0379719
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4126921/-3.0380456
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4112483/-3.0385298
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4099276/-3.0398548
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4105835/-3.0392137
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4093281/-3.0404502
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4087078/-3.0410779
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4062681/-3.0434704
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4068736/-3.042891
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4080638/-3.0416867
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4074568/-3.042309
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4056492/-3.0440953
Post Box
Check Date Collection Times: 2023-09-30
Collection Times: Mo-Fr 09:00, Sa 07:00
Operator: Royal Mail
Post Box Type: wall
Ref: DD6 67D
Royal Cypher: scottish_crown
Lat/Long: 56.4108358/-3.0424672
Material: wood
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.411902/-3.0379225
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 56.4117407/-3.036425
Waste Basket
Waste: trash
Lat/Long: 56.4114976/-3.0431961
Waste Basket
Note: Beach waste only
Waste: trash
Lat/Long: 56.4116267/-3.0431834
Waste Basket
Waste: trash
Lat/Long: 56.4116502/-3.0431807
Board Type: notice
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 56.4098312/-3.0426449
The Wee Art Booth
Description: Small box selling artwork (postcards, calendars) with payment method on an honesty basis.
Lat/Long: 56.4122752/-3.0433078
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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