Burn Stools

Island in Fife

Scotland

Burn Stools

St Andrews bus station As idiots closed the town's railway service in the 1960s, this is a rather busy bus station.
St Andrews bus station Credit: Richard Webb

Burntisland is a historic town located in the Kingdom of Fife, Scotland. Often referred to as "Burntisland" or "Burn Stools" by locals, it sits on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth, approximately 10 miles north of the city of Edinburgh. The town has a population of around 6,000 people.

The origins of Burntisland can be traced back to the 12th century when it was established as a royal burgh by King David I. Throughout its history, the town has played a crucial role in trade and shipping due to its convenient coastal location. It developed as a popular port and was once a significant center for the export of coal and salt.

One of the notable features of Burntisland is its stunning sandy beach, which stretches for around two miles and attracts many visitors, especially during the summer months. The town also boasts a picturesque promenade and a Victorian-era swimming pool, known as the Burntisland Pool.

Historic landmarks in Burntisland include the ruins of Rossend Castle, a 15th-century tower house, and the Burntisland Parish Church, which dates back to the 17th century. The town is also home to the Binn Hill, a prominent volcanic plug that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Every year, Burntisland hosts the Burntisland Highland Games, a popular event that showcases traditional Scottish sports such as caber tossing, Highland dancing, and pipe band competitions. The games attract participants and spectators from all over Scotland and beyond.

Overall, Burntisland, or Burn Stools, is a charming coastal town with a rich history, natural beauty, and a strong sense of community.

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Burn Stools Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.338338/-2.7775852 or Grid Reference NO5216. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Andrews bus station As idiots closed the town's railway service in the 1960s, this is a rather busy bus station.
St Andrews bus station
As idiots closed the town's railway service in the 1960s, this is a rather busy bus station.
Student Union Shop St Andrews University shop front on Market Street.
Student Union Shop
St Andrews University shop front on Market Street.
South Street, St Andrews
South Street, St Andrews
Department of Medieval History, St Andrews University Ornate doorway in South Street.
Department of Medieval History, St Andrews University
Ornate doorway in South Street.
The Scores View towards the Martyr's Memorial. In the background, the renovation of the Grand Hotel into flats is taking place.
The Scores
View towards the Martyr's Memorial. In the background, the renovation of the Grand Hotel into flats is taking place.
Swilkin Burn After its famed crossing of the Old Course, the burn follows coastal defences to the sea at the end of the West Sands.
Swilkin Burn
After its famed crossing of the Old Course, the burn follows coastal defences to the sea at the end of the West Sands.
Market Street Utilities strike again. Dug up bit of street.
Market Street
Utilities strike again. Dug up bit of street.
A.M.G. Culross Once a garage, the painted sign remains in Market Street, St Andrews.
A.M.G. Culross
Once a garage, the painted sign remains in Market Street, St Andrews.
Abbey Street Maps are not too forthcoming on the name of this street so assumptions have been made. Looking towards the castle.
Abbey Street
Maps are not too forthcoming on the name of this street so assumptions have been made. Looking towards the castle.
The Fulmar One of several fishing boats moored in St Andrews harbour
The Fulmar
One of several fishing boats moored in St Andrews harbour
Arctic Tern and Solaris Fishing boats moored in St Andrews harbour
Arctic Tern and Solaris
Fishing boats moored in St Andrews harbour
J Marshall's, Children's Clothes Shop, Logie's Lane, St Andrews
J Marshall's, Children's Clothes Shop, Logie's Lane, St Andrews
Samuel Rutherford's Grave, St Andrews Cathedral After losing his charge as minister at Anwoth in Galloway, due to his nonconformity to Episcopacy, Samuel Rutherford was banished to Aberdeen. In 1638 he became the Professor of Divinity at St Andrews University. The inscription reads (note unusual spelling of Samuel Rutherford):

                                 M
                                                                                                            S    .   R
                 Here lyes the Reverend Mr. Samuell
               Rutherfoord Professor of Divinity in
               The University of St Andrews who died
               March the 20 1661.
               What tongu what Pen or Skill of Men
               Can famous Rutherfoord commend
               His Learning justly rasid his fame                     
               True GODliness Adornd His Name
               He did converse with things ABOVE
               Acquainted with Emmanuels Love
               Most orthodox He was And sound
               And Many Errots Did confound
               For Zions King and Zions cause
               And Scotlands covenanted Laws
               Most constantly he Did contend
               Until His Time was At An End
               Than He wan To the Full Fruition
               Of That which He Had seen in vision.
Samuel Rutherford's Grave, St Andrews Cathedral
After losing his charge as minister at Anwoth in Galloway, due to his nonconformity to Episcopacy, Samuel Rutherford was banished to Aberdeen. In 1638 he became the Professor of Divinity at St Andrews University. The inscription reads (note unusual spelling of Samuel Rutherford): M S . R Here lyes the Reverend Mr. Samuell Rutherfoord Professor of Divinity in The University of St Andrews who died March the 20 1661. What tongu what Pen or Skill of Men Can famous Rutherfoord commend His Learning justly rasid his fame True GODliness Adornd His Name He did converse with things ABOVE Acquainted with Emmanuels Love Most orthodox He was And sound And Many Errots Did confound For Zions King and Zions cause And Scotlands covenanted Laws Most constantly he Did contend Until His Time was At An End Than He wan To the Full Fruition Of That which He Had seen in vision.
Gateway, St Andrews University Warning of the notorious sea cliff that runs along much of St Andrews' sea front.
Gateway, St Andrews University
Warning of the notorious sea cliff that runs along much of St Andrews' sea front.
Dune restoration, St Andrews The spit that houses many of the golf courses is under constant attack from the sea which tries to rearrange the sands. Sandy coasts are notoriously variable and in many places are now incorrectly mapped due to rapid changes through deposition and erosion.  This bit of links however is too valuable to be left to nature. The dunes were damaged by a violent storm and tidal surge on 30th March 2010. The chestnut paling and marram is an attempt to stop the production of a new water hazard.
Dune restoration, St Andrews
The spit that houses many of the golf courses is under constant attack from the sea which tries to rearrange the sands. Sandy coasts are notoriously variable and in many places are now incorrectly mapped due to rapid changes through deposition and erosion. This bit of links however is too valuable to be left to nature. The dunes were damaged by a violent storm and tidal surge on 30th March 2010. The chestnut paling and marram is an attempt to stop the production of a new water hazard.
Grounds of St. Mary's College, South Street, St. Andrews The college is part of the University of St. Andrews, and the School of Divinity is based here. The arch hidden under the vegetation is apparently a kind of folly, and not part of some ancient wall. It seems the vegetation was removed at some stage, but this photo was taken a long while ago!

The arch and the garden in front and behind is in OS square NO5016. Immediately to the right everything, including the college buildings, are in NO5116.
Grounds of St. Mary's College, South Street, St. Andrews
The college is part of the University of St. Andrews, and the School of Divinity is based here. The arch hidden under the vegetation is apparently a kind of folly, and not part of some ancient wall. It seems the vegetation was removed at some stage, but this photo was taken a long while ago! The arch and the garden in front and behind is in OS square NO5016. Immediately to the right everything, including the college buildings, are in NO5116.
Feeding the doves of St. Mary's College, South Street, St. Andrews Sadly this is a sight you are unlikely to ever see again. The quadrangle of St. Mary's College used to be home to a large number of doves, which were fed by the college. The doves were long regarded as the mascot of the College. This photograph shows a gentleman in a smart uniform feeding them. Look closely and you will see some opportunistic pigeons amongst the doves. The doves are no longer here. The official website has a brief note that the doves had "to be removed for health reasons". It doesn't explain whether this was for the health of the doves, or the students and staff, nor where the doves were removed to. This seems to have happened about 1994. However we can probably assume that the pigeons are still around.
Feeding the doves of St. Mary's College, South Street, St. Andrews
Sadly this is a sight you are unlikely to ever see again. The quadrangle of St. Mary's College used to be home to a large number of doves, which were fed by the college. The doves were long regarded as the mascot of the College. This photograph shows a gentleman in a smart uniform feeding them. Look closely and you will see some opportunistic pigeons amongst the doves. The doves are no longer here. The official website has a brief note that the doves had "to be removed for health reasons". It doesn't explain whether this was for the health of the doves, or the students and staff, nor where the doves were removed to. This seems to have happened about 1994. However we can probably assume that the pigeons are still around.
Royal and Ancient Golf Club The Royal and Ancient Golf Club the home of golf is where the rules and laws of golf are made.
Royal and Ancient Golf Club
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club the home of golf is where the rules and laws of golf are made.
Show me another place!

Burn Stools is located at Grid Ref: NO5216 (Lat: 56.338338, Lng: -2.7775852)

Unitary Authority: Fife

Police Authority: Fife

What 3 Words

///exhaled.nutty.tweeted. Near St Andrews, Fife

Nearby Locations

Burn Stools

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 56.338338,-2.7775852
Historic: city_gate
Lat/Long: 56.3384875/-2.7848276
Mooring: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3388528/-2.7841902
Leisure: marina
Seamark Harbour Category: marina
Seamark Type: harbour
Lat/Long: 56.3387341/-2.7841686
Crossing
Crossing: traffic_signals
Crossing Island: no
Crossing Ref: pelican
Kerb: flush
Tactile Paving: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3366006/-2.7849955
Seamark Light Character: Fl
Seamark Light Colour: green
Seamark Light Height: 8
Seamark Light Period: 5
Seamark Light Range: 3
Seamark Light Reference: A 3106
Seamark Type: light_minor
Source: US NGA Pub. 114. 2011-05-26.
Lat/Long: 56.3393986/-2.7795722
Leisure: slipway
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 56.3364162/-2.7817336
Leisure: slipway
Lat/Long: 56.3366197/-2.7830892
Toilets
Fee: no
Female: no
Male: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3384515/-2.7848116
Toilets
Check Date: 2023-08-02
Fee: no
Female: yes
Male: no
Lat/Long: 56.3386185/-2.7849126
Information: guidepost
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 56.3384519/-2.7847679
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3388835/-2.7845471
Board Type: history
Information: board
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 56.3398106/-2.7841955
Leisure: slipway
Lat/Long: 56.3398116/-2.7836764
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3398546/-2.7838372
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3398564/-2.7837712
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3399747/-2.7849677
Bench
Backrest: no
Lat/Long: 56.3400049/-2.7850601
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: stands
Capacity: 8
Covered: yes
Source: Local knowledge and Bing
Lat/Long: 56.3356105/-2.7819337
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle Parking: wall_hoops
Capacity: 24
Covered: no
Source: Local knowledge and Bing
Lat/Long: 56.335505/-2.7813947
Fast Food
The Cheesy Toast Shack
Cuisine: sandwich
Drive Through: no
Wheelchair: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3362623/-2.7822548
Defibrillator
Emergency: defibrillator
Lat/Long: 56.3389802/-2.7842326
Bench
Backrest: yes
Direction: east
Lat/Long: 56.3398381/-2.7847639
Leisure: fitness_station
Sport: fitness
Lat/Long: 56.3366445/-2.7823123
Life Ring
Emergency: life_ring
Lat/Long: 56.3364134/-2.7819615
Lifeguard
Emergency: lifeguard
Opening Hours: Jun 18-Aug 21 Mo-Su 10:00-18:00
Opening Hours Url: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/st-andrews-east-sands-beach
Operator: Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Operator Short: RNLI
Operator Wikidata: Q2166873
Seasonal: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3366725/-2.7819655
Historic: city_gate
Lat/Long: 56.3384692/-2.7849608
Crossing
Crossing: traffic_signals
Crossing Island: no
Crossing Ref: pelican
Kerb: flush
Tactile Paving: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3366721/-2.7851207
Addr Housenumber: 4
Addr Street: St Mary Street
Lat/Long: 56.3359069/-2.7843715
Addr Housenumber: 2
Addr Street: St Mary Street
Lat/Long: 56.3360764/-2.784455
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 56.3394019/-2.7796719
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3365262/-2.7822887
Drinking Water
Lat/Long: 56.3366763/-2.7824663
Tourism: picnic_site
Lat/Long: 56.3365067/-2.782107
Bench
Backrest: yes
Lat/Long: 56.3364697/-2.782243
Tourism: picnic_site
Lat/Long: 56.3364472/-2.782115
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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