Burntisland - Revision history

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2025-09-29T09:03:06Z

Removed URL that duplicated identifier. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by CorrectionsJackal | Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland | #UCB_Category 45/45

← Previous revision		Revision as of 09:03, 29 September 2025
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	\| unitary_scotland = [[Fife]]		\| unitary_scotland = [[Fife]]
	\| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Fife]]		\| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Fife]]
	\| constituency_westminster = [[~~Kirkcaldy~~ and ~~Cowdenbeath (UK Parliament constituency)\|~~Kirkcaldy ~~and Cowdenbeath~~]]		\| constituency_westminster = [[Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy]]
	\| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Kirkcaldy (Scottish Parliament constituency)\|Kirkcaldy]]		\| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Kirkcaldy (Scottish Parliament constituency)\|Kirkcaldy]]
	\| post_town = BURNTISLAND		\| post_town = BURNTISLAND
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	}}		}}
	'''Burntisland''' ({{IPAc-en\|b\|ɜr\|n\|t\|ˈ\|aɪ\|l\|ən\|d}} {{Audio\|Burntisland.ogg\|listen}}, {{langx\|sco\|Bruntisland}})<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=240 \|title=Fife Place-name Data :: Burntisland \|website=fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk \|access-date=16 April 2022 \|archive-date=8 April 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408235751/https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=240 \|url-status=live }}</ref> is a former [[Royal burgh]] and parish in [[Fife]], Scotland, on the northern shore of the [[Firth of Forth]]. It was previously known as '''Wester Kinghorn''' or '''Little Kinghorn'''. The town has a population of 6,269 (2011).<ref name="Scotland's Census 2011">{{cite web \|url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/area.html \|title=Scotland's Census 2011- Burntisland Locality Area Profile \|publisher=scotlandscensus.gov.uk \|year=2011 \|access-date=20 March 2014 \|archive-date=20 August 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820140720/http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/area.html \|url-status=live }}</ref>		'''Burntisland''' ({{IPAc-en\|b\|ɜr\|n\|t\|ˈ\|aɪ\|l\|ən\|d}} {{Audio\|Burntisland.ogg\|listen}}, {{langx\|sco\|Bruntisland}})<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=240 \|title=Fife Place-name Data :: Burntisland \|website=fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk \|access-date=16 April 2022 \|archive-date=8 April 2022 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408235751/https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=240 \|url-status=live }}</ref> is a former [[Royal burgh]] and parish in [[Fife]], Scotland, on the northern shore of the [[Firth of Forth]]. It was previously known as '''Wester Kinghorn''' or '''Little Kinghorn'''. The town has a population of 6,269 (2011).<ref name="Scotland's Census 2011">{{cite web \|url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/area.html \|title=Scotland's Census 2011- Burntisland Locality Area Profile \|publisher=scotlandscensus.gov.uk \|year=2011 \|access-date=20 March 2014 \|archive-date=20 August 2018 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820140720/http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/area.html \|url-status=live }}</ref>
			[[File:Burntisland - Fife.jpg\|thumb\|Burntisland coastal image]]
	Burntisland is known locally for its award-winning sandy beach, the 15th-century [[Rossend Castle]], as well as the traditional summer fair and [[Highland games]] day. To the north of the town a hill called The Binn is a landmark of the Fife coastline; a [[volcanic plug]], it rises {{convert\|632\|ft\|m\|order=flip}} above sea level.		Burntisland is known locally for its award-winning sandy beach, the 15th-century [[Rossend Castle]], as well as the traditional summer fair and [[Highland games]] day. To the north of the town a hill called The Binn is a landmark of the Fife coastline; a [[volcanic plug]], it rises {{convert\|632\|ft\|m\|order=flip}} above sea level.

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	Early evidence of human activity in this area has been found in rock carvings on the Binn, thought to be about 4,000 years old.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/ancient-carvings-could-be-national-treasure-1-160320/amp \|title=Ancient carvings could be national treasure \|website=fifetoday.co.uk \|access-date=2017-09-25 \|archive-date=25 September 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181519/http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/ancient-carvings-could-be-national-treasure-1-160320/amp \|url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Roman Empire\|Roman]] commander [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola\|Agricola]] may have used the natural harbour and set up camp at the nearby Dunearn Hill in AD 83.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/52856/burntisland \|title=Burntisland {{!}} Canmore \|website=canmore.org.uk \|language=en \|access-date=2017-09-25 \|archive-date=25 September 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181237/https://canmore.org.uk/site/52856/burntisland \|url-status=live }}</ref>		Early evidence of human activity in this area has been found in rock carvings on the Binn, thought to be about 4,000 years old.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/ancient-carvings-could-be-national-treasure-1-160320/amp \|title=Ancient carvings could be national treasure \|website=fifetoday.co.uk \|access-date=2017-09-25 \|archive-date=25 September 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181519/http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/ancient-carvings-could-be-national-treasure-1-160320/amp \|url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Roman Empire\|Roman]] commander [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola\|Agricola]] may have used the natural harbour and set up camp at the nearby Dunearn Hill in AD 83.<ref>{{Cite web \|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/52856/burntisland \|title=Burntisland {{!}} Canmore \|website=canmore.org.uk \|language=en \|access-date=2017-09-25 \|archive-date=25 September 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181237/https://canmore.org.uk/site/52856/burntisland \|url-status=live }}</ref>

	The earliest historical record of the town was in the 12th century, when the monks of [[Dunfermline Abbey]] owned the harbour and neighbouring lands.<ref name="Lamont-Brown p71">{{Cite book \|last=Lamont-Brown \|first=Raymond \|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm52441628 \|title=Fife in history and legend \|date=2002 \|publisher=John Donald \|isbn=978-0-85976-567-1 \|location=Edinburgh \|pages=71 \|oclc=ocm52441628}}</ref> The settlement was known as ''Wester [[Kinghorn]]'' or ''Little Kinghorn'' and developed as a fishing hamlet to provide food for the inhabitants of [[Rossend Castle]].<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5">Burntisland Fishing Port p5</ref> The harbour was then sold to [[King James V of Scotland\|James V]] by the abbots of [[Dunfermline Abbey]] in exchange for a parcel of land.<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5"/> The land was granted [[royal burgh]] status by [[King James V of Scotland\|James V]] in 1541.<ref name="Lamont-Brown p71"/> When the status was confirmed in 1586, the settlement gained independence from the barony of [[Kinghorn]] and was renamed Burntisland,<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5"/> possibly a nickname from the burning of fishermens' huts on an islet now incorporated into the docks.<ref>{{cite book \|author1=Simon Taylor \|author2=Gilbert Márkus \|title=The Place-Names of Fife, Volume One \|publisher=Shaun Tyas \|year=2006 \|isbn=1-900289-77-6}}</ref> However, Ross (2007) considers this explanation of the town's name "implausible" and proposes the origin ''Burnet's Land'' after a local personal name.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Ross, David, 1943- ~~\|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/213108856~~ \|title=Scottish place-names \|date=2007 \|publisher=Birlinn \|page=17 \|oclc=213108856}}</ref>		The earliest historical record of the town was in the 12th century, when the monks of [[Dunfermline Abbey]] owned the harbour and neighbouring lands.<ref name="Lamont-Brown p71">{{Cite book \|last=Lamont-Brown \|first=Raymond \|url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm52441628 \|title=Fife in history and legend \|date=2002 \|publisher=John Donald \|isbn=978-0-85976-567-1 \|location=Edinburgh \|pages=71 \|oclc=ocm52441628}}</ref> The settlement was known as ''Wester [[Kinghorn]]'' or ''Little Kinghorn'' and developed as a fishing hamlet to provide food for the inhabitants of [[Rossend Castle]].<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5">Burntisland Fishing Port p5</ref> The harbour was then sold to [[King James V of Scotland\|James V]] by the abbots of [[Dunfermline Abbey]] in exchange for a parcel of land.<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5"/> The land was granted [[royal burgh]] status by [[King James V of Scotland\|James V]] in 1541.<ref name="Lamont-Brown p71"/> When the status was confirmed in 1586, the settlement gained independence from the barony of [[Kinghorn]] and was renamed Burntisland,<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5"/> possibly a nickname from the burning of fishermens' huts on an islet now incorporated into the docks.<ref>{{cite book \|author1=Simon Taylor \|author2=Gilbert Márkus \|title=The Place-Names of Fife, Volume One \|publisher=Shaun Tyas \|year=2006 \|isbn=1-900289-77-6}}</ref> However, Ross (2007) considers this explanation of the town's name "implausible" and proposes the origin ''Burnet's Land'' after a local personal name.<ref>{{Cite book \|last=Ross, David, 1943- \|title=Scottish place-names \|date=2007 \|publisher=Birlinn \|page=17 \|oclc=213108856}}</ref>

	Substantial remains of the original [[parish church]], built in the late 12th century, survive in a churchyard to the north of the old town on Church Street. The building of a town wall to both north and east in the [[Battle of Flodden\|post-Flodden]] world of late 16th century Scotland, which placed the old church outwith the protective wall, was one of the several reasons that a new church was built in 1592: [[Burntisland Parish Church]], also known as St Columba's.<ref name="Wilson p3">{{Cite book \|last=Rhona \|first=Wilson \|title=Old Burntisland \|date=1998 \|publisher=Stenlake Publishing \|isbn=978-1840330236 \|edition= \|pages=3}}</ref> This was the first new parish church built in Scotland after the Reformation. It is a unique shape, square with a central tower upheld on pillars, and lined all round with galleries, to allow the greatest number of people to be reached by the minister's words during the service. The church contains some carved wooden panels.<ref>{{Cite book \|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctt1g0b6j7 \|title=A History of Everyday Life in Scotland, 1600 to 1800 \|date=2010 \|publisher=Edinburgh University Press \|isbn=978-0-7486-1965-8 \|editor-last=Foyster \|editor-first=Elizabeth \|pages=296 \|jstor=10.3366/j.ctt1g0b6j7 \|editor-last2=Whatley \|editor-first2=Christopher A.}}</ref>		Substantial remains of the original [[parish church]], built in the late 12th century, survive in a churchyard to the north of the old town on Church Street. The building of a town wall to both north and east in the [[Battle of Flodden\|post-Flodden]] world of late 16th century Scotland, which placed the old church outwith the protective wall, was one of the several reasons that a new church was built in 1592: [[Burntisland Parish Church]], also known as St Columba's.<ref name="Wilson p3">{{Cite book \|last=Rhona \|first=Wilson \|title=Old Burntisland \|date=1998 \|publisher=Stenlake Publishing \|isbn=978-1840330236 \|edition= \|pages=3}}</ref> This was the first new parish church built in Scotland after the Reformation. It is a unique shape, square with a central tower upheld on pillars, and lined all round with galleries, to allow the greatest number of people to be reached by the minister's words during the service. The church contains some carved wooden panels.<ref>{{Cite book \|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctt1g0b6j7 \|title=A History of Everyday Life in Scotland, 1600 to 1800 \|date=2010 \|publisher=Edinburgh University Press \|isbn=978-0-7486-1965-8 \|editor-last=Foyster \|editor-first=Elizabeth \|pages=296 \|jstor=10.3366/j.ctt1g0b6j7 \|editor-last2=Whatley \|editor-first2=Christopher A.}}</ref>

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2025-05-27T12:18:38Z

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{{for|other places with similar names|Burnt Island (disambiguation){{!}}Burnt Island}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{infobox UK place
| country = Scotland
| map_type = Scotland
| coordinates = {{coord|56|03|34|N|03|13|57|W|display=inline,title}}
| official_name = Burntisland
| scots_name = Burntisland, Bruntisland
| population = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Burntisland}}
| population_ref = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| os_grid_reference = NT233859
| edinburgh_distance_mi = 7.5
| london_distance_mi = 339
| unitary_scotland = [[Fife]]
| lieutenancy_scotland = [[Fife]]
| constituency_westminster = [[Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (UK Parliament constituency)|Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Kirkcaldy (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Kirkcaldy]]
| post_town = BURNTISLAND
| postcode_district = KY3
| postcode_area = KY
| dial_code = 01592
| static_image_name = Burntisland 1.jpg
| static_image_caption = A view across Burntisland
}}
'''Burntisland''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ɜr|n|t|ˈ|aɪ|l|ən|d}} {{Audio|Burntisland.ogg|listen}}, {{langx|sco|Bruntisland}})<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=240 |title=Fife Place-name Data :: Burntisland |website=fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk |access-date=16 April 2022 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408235751/https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=240 |url-status=live }}</ref> is a former [[Royal burgh]] and parish in [[Fife]], Scotland, on the northern shore of the [[Firth of Forth]]. It was previously known as '''Wester Kinghorn''' or '''Little Kinghorn'''. The town has a population of 6,269 (2011).<ref name="Scotland's Census 2011">{{cite web |url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/area.html |title=Scotland's Census 2011- Burntisland Locality Area Profile |publisher=scotlandscensus.gov.uk |year=2011 |access-date=20 March 2014 |archive-date=20 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820140720/http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/area.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Burntisland is known locally for its award-winning sandy beach, the 15th-century [[Rossend Castle]], as well as the traditional summer fair and [[Highland games]] day. To the north of the town a hill called The Binn is a landmark of the Fife coastline; a [[volcanic plug]], it rises {{convert|632|ft|m|order=flip}} above sea level.

==History==
[[File:Burntisland Parish Kirk.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Burntisland Parish Kirk]]
[[File:Burntisland Kirk interior.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The Kirk's plan and design are unique in Scotland]]
[[File:Burntisland Town Hall (geograph 6121061).jpg|thumb|left|[[Burntisland Burgh Chambers]]]]
[[File:Burntisland Shipbuilding00.jpg|thumb|right]]
[[File:Burntisland docks from the air (geograph 5835088).jpg|thumb|right|Burntisland docks from the air]]
Early evidence of human activity in this area has been found in rock carvings on the Binn, thought to be about 4,000 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/ancient-carvings-could-be-national-treasure-1-160320/amp |title=Ancient carvings could be national treasure |website=fifetoday.co.uk |access-date=2017-09-25 |archive-date=25 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181519/http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/ancient-carvings-could-be-national-treasure-1-160320/amp |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Roman Empire|Roman]] commander [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola|Agricola]] may have used the natural harbour and set up camp at the nearby Dunearn Hill in AD 83.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/52856/burntisland |title=Burntisland {{!}} Canmore |website=canmore.org.uk |language=en |access-date=2017-09-25 |archive-date=25 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925181237/https://canmore.org.uk/site/52856/burntisland |url-status=live }}</ref>

The earliest historical record of the town was in the 12th century, when the monks of [[Dunfermline Abbey]] owned the harbour and neighbouring lands.<ref name="Lamont-Brown p71">{{Cite book |last=Lamont-Brown |first=Raymond |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm52441628 |title=Fife in history and legend |date=2002 |publisher=John Donald |isbn=978-0-85976-567-1 |location=Edinburgh |pages=71 |oclc=ocm52441628}}</ref> The settlement was known as ''Wester [[Kinghorn]]'' or ''Little Kinghorn'' and developed as a fishing hamlet to provide food for the inhabitants of [[Rossend Castle]].<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5">Burntisland Fishing Port p5</ref> The harbour was then sold to [[King James V of Scotland|James V]] by the abbots of [[Dunfermline Abbey]] in exchange for a parcel of land.<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5"/> The land was granted [[royal burgh]] status by [[King James V of Scotland|James V]] in 1541.<ref name="Lamont-Brown p71"/> When the status was confirmed in 1586, the settlement gained independence from the barony of [[Kinghorn]] and was renamed Burntisland,<ref name="Burntisland Fishing Port p5"/> possibly a nickname from the burning of fishermens' huts on an islet now incorporated into the docks.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Simon Taylor |author2=Gilbert Márkus |title=The Place-Names of Fife, Volume One |publisher=Shaun Tyas |year=2006 |isbn=1-900289-77-6}}</ref> However, Ross (2007) considers this explanation of the town's name "implausible" and proposes the origin ''Burnet's Land'' after a local personal name.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ross, David, 1943- |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/213108856 |title=Scottish place-names |date=2007 |publisher=Birlinn |page=17 |oclc=213108856}}</ref>

Substantial remains of the original [[parish church]], built in the late 12th century, survive in a churchyard to the north of the old town on Church Street. The building of a town wall to both north and east in the [[Battle of Flodden|post-Flodden]] world of late 16th century Scotland, which placed the old church outwith the protective wall, was one of the several reasons that a new church was built in 1592: [[Burntisland Parish Church]], also known as St Columba's.<ref name="Wilson p3">{{Cite book |last=Rhona |first=Wilson |title=Old Burntisland |date=1998 |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |isbn=978-1840330236 |edition= |pages=3}}</ref> This was the first new parish church built in Scotland after the Reformation. It is a unique shape, square with a central tower upheld on pillars, and lined all round with galleries, to allow the greatest number of people to be reached by the minister's words during the service. The church contains some carved wooden panels.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctt1g0b6j7 |title=A History of Everyday Life in Scotland, 1600 to 1800 |date=2010 |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |isbn=978-0-7486-1965-8 |editor-last=Foyster |editor-first=Elizabeth |pages=296 |jstor=10.3366/j.ctt1g0b6j7 |editor-last2=Whatley |editor-first2=Christopher A.}}</ref>

In 1601, King [[James VI]] chose the town as an alternative site for the General Assembly of the [[Church of Scotland]]. This was when a new translation of the [[Bible]] was first discussed, a project which James brought to fruition a decade later in the [[Authorized King James Version|King James Bible]].<ref name="Wilson p3" />

The town was part of the lands of Dunfermline belonging to [[Anne of Denmark]]. In April 1615 there was a riot in broad daylight against one of her legal officers by a crowd of over a hundred women who took his letters and threw stones at him. The rioters were "of the bangster Amasone kind" led by the wife of the Baillie of Burntisland according to the Chancellor [[Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline]], who supposed the women were acting at the instigation of the townsmen including the minister Mr William Watson.<ref>''The Melros Papers'', vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1837), pp. 207-10: ''Original Letters Relating To The Ecclessiastical Affairs of Scotland'', vol. 2 (Edinburgh: Bannatyne Club, 1851), pp. 433-6.</ref>

Burntisland developed as a seaport, being second only to [[Leith]] in the Firth of Forth, and [[shipbuilding]] became an important industry in the town. [[James V of Scotland|James V]] improved the harbour in 1540 and named it "Our Lady Port". In 1544 it was defended by three artillery blockhouses.<ref>Andrea Thomas, ''Princelie Majestie'' (John Donald, 2005), pp. 163-4: [[Athol Murray]], 'Pursemaster's Accounts', ''Miscellany of the Scottish History Society X'' (Edinburgh, 1965), p. 35: [[James Balfour Paul]], ''Accounts of the Treasurer'', vol. 7 (Edinburgh, 1907), p. 331.</ref> An English report mentions a dock at Burntisland called the Newhaven and says a pier and the three blockhouses were to the west, at "Mill Dame".<ref>Joseph Bain, [https://archive.org/details/cu31924091786040/page/714/mode/2up ''Hamilton Papers'', vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1890), pp. 714]</ref> During the war of the [[Rough Wooing]] in 1548 the English commander [[Edward Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln|Edward Clinton]] planned to reconstruct the harbour and pier and their defences, employing a military engineer. In 1559, the town came under French occupation when Scottish Protestant leaders opposed the Catholic [[Mary of Guise]]. The occupation ended with the arrival of an English fleet in 1560, prompting the occupiers to retreat by land, back to Leith.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blyth |first=John J. |title=Burntisland, Early History and People |publisher=Fifeshire Advertiser Ltd. |year=1948 |pages=128–129}}</ref> The harbour at this time was dry at low-tide and ships lay in the "ooze" or mud.<ref>Joseph Bain, ''Calendar State Papers Scotland: 1547-1563'', vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1898), p. 159.</ref>

In 1622 a leaking Spanish ship entered the harbour and promptly sank. The crew said they were whalers, and they had whaling equipment, but the town baillies were suspicious and imprisoned the officers in the tolbooth and put the rest under house arrest under suspicion of piracy. The lawyer [[Thomas Hamilton, 1st Earl of Haddington|Thomas Hamilton]] arranged their release, arguing they had committed no crime and there was peace with Spain at the time.<ref>''Melros Papers'', vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1837), pp. 159-61.</ref> The town also became a major embarkation point for Scottish soldiers on their way to fight in the [[Thirty Years' War|Thirty Years War]], in October 1627 the Burgh Council complained to the [[Privy Council of Scotland|Scottish Privy Council]] about the conduct of these troops.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blyth |first=John J. |title=Burntisland, Early History and People |publisher=Fifeshire Advertiser Ltd. |year=1948 |location=Kirkcaldy |pages=131}}</ref> In 1633 a barge, the ''[[Blessing of Burntisland]]'', carrying [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and his entourage's baggage from Burntisland to Leith sank with the loss of Charles' treasure.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/kings-treasure-ship-found-in-forth-1117715.html |title=King's treasure ship 'found in Forth' |author=Jack O'Sullivan |date=11 September 1999 |access-date=21 July 2018 |website=The Independent |location=London |archive-date=23 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180723071153/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/kings-treasure-ship-found-in-forth-1117715.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1638, the town like much of the country rallied behind the cause of the [[National Covenant]] in the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sommerville |first=Iain |title=Burntisland, Port of Grace |publisher=Burntisland Heritage Trust |year=2004 |isbn=0-9539353-1-0 |pages=55}}</ref> The town with its good harbour became a magazine and supply depot for the [[Covenanters|Army of the Covenant]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blyth |first=John J. |title=Burntisland, Early History and People |publisher=Fifeshire Advertiser Ltd. |year=1948 |location=Kirkcaldy |pages=134}}</ref>

Burntisland was held by the [[Jacobite risings|Jacobite]] army for over two months during the rising known as the Fifteen. The Jacobites first of all raided the port on 2 October 1715, capturing several hundred weapons, then occupied it on 9 October.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gfi4BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA46 |title=Sheriffmuir, 1715: The Jacobite War in Scotland |first=Stuart |last=Reid |year=2014 |page=46 |publisher=Frontline Books |isbn=978-1848327320 |access-date=18 March 2023 |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720084817/https://books.google.com/books?id=gfi4BwAAQBAJ&pg=PA46 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 1844 a new [[pier]] was completed to form a ferry link to the new harbour at [[Granton, Edinburgh]].<ref>Stranger on the Shore, by James Gracies {{ISBN|1-902831-535}}</ref> It was built by local builder Peter Penny (1803-1866).<ref>Penny grave, Old Kirkton churchyard</ref> [[Burntisland Burgh Chambers]] was designed by [[John Henderson (architect)|John Henderson]] and completed in 1846.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB22820|desc=Town Hall, 104 High Street, Burntisland |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref>

Burntisland became an important port for the local [[herring]] and [[coal]] industries, and in 1847 the [[Edinburgh and Northern Railway]] opened from Burntisland north to [[Lindores]] and [[Cupar]]. By 1850 the world's first [[RORO|roll-on/roll-off]] [[Train ferry|rail ferry]] service was crossing the Firth of Forth between Burntisland and [[Granton, Edinburgh|Granton]], enabling goods wagons to travel between [[Edinburgh]] and [[Dundee]] without the need for unloading and re-loading at the ferries. (Passengers however had to disembark and use separate passenger ferries). This operated until 1890 when the [[Forth Bridge]] opened.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Forth Bridge |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1485/ |last=Centre |first=UNESCO World Heritage |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |language=en |access-date=26 May 2020 |archive-date=29 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529060335/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1485/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Burntisland Shipbuilding Company]] at Burntisland West Dock was founded in 1918 as an emergency shipyard for the [[World War I|First World War]], specialising in [[cargo ship]]s.<ref name=Grace>{{cite web |url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/Burntisland_Shipbuilding_Co |title=Burntisland Shipbuilding Co |date=29 January 2009 |work=Grace's Guide: The Best of British Engineering 1750-1960s |access-date=22 May 2011 |archive-date=27 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927173528/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/Burntisland_Shipbuilding_Co |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1929 the yard introduced the "Burntisland Economy" steamship, which was designed to maximise fuel economy.<ref name=Grace/> The popularity of this design helped the yard to survive the [[Great Depression in the United Kingdom|Great Depression]].<ref name=Grace/> In the [[World War II|Second World War]] the yard continued to concentrate on merchant ships but also built three [[Loch class frigate]]s: {{HMS|Loch Killin|K391}}, {{HMS|Loch Fyne|K429}} and {{HMS|Loch Glendhu|K619}}.<ref name=Grace/> By 1961 the shipyard had 1,000 workers but in 1968 the company got into financial difficulties.<ref name=Grace/> The shipyard closed in 1969 and was sold to [[Henry Robb|Robb Caledon]] of [[Leith]].<ref name=Grace/>

[[File:Burntisland Docks, Fife.jpg|thumb|Burntisland Docks, 2011]]
Robb Caledon eventually secured orders to for the yard to build modules for the [[North Sea oil]] and natural gas industry, and formed its Burntisland Engineering Fabricators (BEF) subsidiary to manage this work. Towards the end of the 1970s orders declined, in 1978 Robb Caledon was nationalised as part of [[British Shipbuilders]] and in 1979 Burntisland yard was closed. In 1990 under new owners Burntisland West Dock resumed the production of major offshore oil and gas fabrications.<ref name=BiFab>{{cite web |url=http://www.bifab.co.uk/content.asp?ArticleCode=2 |title=Welcome |work=Burntisland Fabrications Ltd. |publisher=Burntisland Fabrications Ltd |access-date=15 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626060809/http://www.bifab.co.uk/content.asp?ArticleCode=2 |archive-date=26 June 2011}}</ref> Industry related to North Sea oil remains important for the town. In 2001 a [[management buyout]] took over the yard as Burntisland Fabrications or BiFab.<ref name=BiFab/> BiFab describes itself as the only major fabricator continuing in production in Scotland since 2005.<ref name=BiFab/>

A plant for the refining of [[aluminium oxide|alumina]] was opened by [[Alcan]] early in the 20th century and closed in 2002, the land now used for housing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11911081.alcans-burntisland-factory-to-shut-by-end-of-month/ |title=Burntisland factory to shut by end of month |date=19 November 2002 |newspaper=The Herald |location=Glasgow |access-date=21 August 2022 |archive-date=21 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821125900/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11911081.alcans-burntisland-factory-to-shut-by-end-of-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Church==
[[File:Old Kirkton church ruins, Burntisland.jpg|thumb|Old Kirkton church ruins, Burntisland]]
The pre-Reformation church (known as Kirkton church) lies on Church Street and served until 1592, at which point it was abandoned. It was ruinous by 1700 but was used for burials until the mid-20th century. The main body of the church serves as a burial vault to the local family Aytoun (Ayton) of Grange.

A new church, [[Burntisland Parish Church]], was built in 1592 by a Dutch architect dedicated to [[St Columba]] on a small hill overlooking the sea. In 1601 it was the meeting place of the [[General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] due to an outbreak of plague in the usual venue in [[Edinburgh]]. Many attendees would have come by sea. The Assembly was attended by [[King James VI]]. It is said that it was at this Assembly that the King requested that a new version of the Bible be created: leading to the creation of the 1611 authorised [[King James Bible]], which (after the [[Union of Crowns]] in 1606 represented both England and Scotland but was requested whilst the King was solely King of Scotland.<ref>Fasti Ecclesistae Scotia p.80</ref>

Ministers of the church in sequence were: John Brown (1567–1589); Andrew Lamb (1593–1596); William Symson (1597–1601); William Watson (1601–1616); John Michaelson (1616–1640, refused to sign the National Covenant); Andrew Lesly (1640–1643); John Smith (1643–1648); [[George Nairne]] (1649–1662, imprisoned); Harry Malcolm (1663); William Livingston (1663–1672, imprisoned); George Clerk of Crowley (1672–1688, suicide); George Johnston (1688–1691); James Pitcairn ({{circa|1691}}); James Inglis (1692–1699); John Cleghorn (1701–1711); Henry Robin (1714–1718, left due to adultery); James Thomson (1719–1740, moved to [[Antiburgher Church]]); Robert Spears (1743–1773); James Wemyss (1779–1820); Charles Watson (1820–1837), father of [[Robert Boog Watson]] and [[Patrick Heron Watson]]; John Aikman Wallace (1827–1833); David Couper (1834–1843, moved to Free Church); Robert William Fraser (1843–1844); James MacKintosh (1844–1848); John Robin (1849–1873); James Edgar Hill (1873–1877); Robert James Cameron (1877–1879); John MacAlister Thomson (1879–1880, died in pulpit); Joseph Sage Finlayson (1880–1909); John Rogan (1910–?).<ref>Fasti Ecclesistae Scotia p.83</ref>

==Highland games==
Burntisland is home to the second oldest highland games in the world<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.burntislandhighlandgames.co.uk/ |title=Burntisland Highland Games |website=burntislandhighlandgames.co.uk |access-date=8 June 2019 |archive-date=8 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608194643/https://www.burntislandhighlandgames.co.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> starting in 1652. The Games take place on the third Monday of July, the start of the Fife/Glasgow fair fortnight, and a local market and summer fairground takes place on the same day.

==Sport and recreation==
[[Burntisland Shipyard F.C.|Burntisland Shipyard]] is the town's senior football club, currently competing in the {{Scottish football updater|Burntisl}} – the seventh tier of [[Scottish football league system|Scottish football]].

The town is home to the eleventh-oldest golf club in the world – Burntisland Golf Club (the 'Old Club', as it is known among its members). Although it is not a course-owning club, its competitions are held over on the local course now run by Burntisland Golf House Club at Dodhead.

The Beacon Leisure Centre features a 25-metre swimming pool with a wave machine and flumes, as well as gym facilities. Opened in 1997, this replaced an open-air bathing pool which closed in 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.burntisland.net/photos/Old%20photos/law-bathing-pool-v2.htm |title=Old Bathing Pool |last=Law |first=Keddie |website=burntisland.net |publisher=Ian Sommerville |access-date=20 December 2017 |archive-date=22 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052816/http://www.burntisland.net/photos/Old%20photos/law-bathing-pool-v2.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

One of [[Scotland's Great Trails]], the 187 km [[Fife Coastal Path]], passes through the town. From Aberdour the route follows the railway line, goes along the High Street, and then heads towards Kinghorn via the beach promenade and A921 road. At low tide it is possible to walk from the beach across the sands to Pettycur before rejoining the route in Kinghorn.

==Education==
The town currently has one school, Burntisland Primary School, housed in a modern building which opened in August 2014 on the Toll Park. The school roll is around 690, which includes 160 nursery pupils.<ref name="Burntisland School">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=C43674A4-0F57-46D4-989B2117AAB0C9FC |title=Burntisland Primary School |publisher=Fife Council |access-date=24 May 2017 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230254/http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=C43674A4-0F57-46D4-989B2117AAB0C9FC |url-status=live }}</ref> The adjacent nursery building across the road continues to be used. At its previous site on Ferguson Place the school first opened in 1876, and by 2000 was spread across five separate buildings.

The majority of secondary school pupils attend [[Balwearie High School]] in nearby [[Kirkcaldy]]. Catholic pupils travel to St Marie's Primary School or St Andrews High School, also in Kirkcaldy.

==Burntisland Viaduct==
Immediately to the west of [[Burntisland railway station]] lies the 9-span [[viaduct]] forming a significant feature in the harbour area of the town. Built in 1888 to carry the main railway line from Edinburgh to [[Dundee]], it is now a Category C [[Listed structure]], being a rare example of a surviving [[Town truss]].
[[File:Burntisland viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 422407.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The easternmost spans of Burntisland Viaduct]]

==Attractions==
From May to August the annual summer [[funfair]], known as the Shows,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoors/in-pictures-what-to-see-at-burntisland-shows-3303142 |title=In Pictures: Burntisland Shows return for summer season – and this what you will see |website=fifetoday.co.uk |date=9 July 2021 |access-date=20 February 2022 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220225001/https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoors/in-pictures-what-to-see-at-burntisland-shows-3303142 |url-status=live }}</ref> comes to town and there is also the second oldest highland games in the world, held on the third Monday every July.

The Burntisland and District Pipe Band compete in [[Pipe band#Grading system|Grade 3B]] after being promoted from Grade 4B after a successful 2014 season. The band are 2014 British, U.K and European and World Champions. The band is known throughout for its development with children in the local area, creating players that now compete in [[Pipe band#Grading system|Grade 1]].

A free live music festival, Live on the Links, also takes place annually during the summer. First held in 1983 at the bandstand on the Links, it now runs for the whole weekend at different venues in the town on the second weekend in August.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live on the Links: Burntisland to host weekend music event |url=https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/live-links-burntisland-host-weekend-music-event-267388 |access-date=2020-11-26 |website=fifetoday.co.uk |date=9 August 2018 |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205063610/https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/live-links-burntisland-host-weekend-music-event-267388 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Transport==
The [[A921 road|A921]] coast road runs through the town and connects to the [[M90 motorway]] at Inverkeithing in the west and the [[A92 road|A92]] at Kirkcaldy in the east. The A909 travels inland towards the A92 at Cowdenbeath and the M90 at Kelty.

[[Burntisland railway station]] is on the [[Fife Circle Line]] and provides direct links with Kirkcaldy to the north and Edinburgh to the south. However, only the southbound platform provides step-free access.

The town is also served by [[Stagecoach in Fife|Stagecoach]] bus service 7, which runs between [[Dunfermline]] in the west and [[Leven, Fife|Leven]] (via Kirkcaldy) in the east. The circular B1 service covers most areas of the town.

== Town twinning ==
Burntisland has been [[sister city|twinned]] with [[Flekkefjord]], Norway since 1946.<ref>{{cite web |title=Town Twinning |url=https://www.fifedirect.org.uk/topics/index.cfm?fuseaction=service.display&objectid=909a83ad-347e-4e30-828c-07b353b68048 |website=fifedirect.org.uk |access-date=26 January 2018 |archive-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103165242/https://www.fifedirect.org.uk/topics/index.cfm?fuseaction=service.display&objectid=909A83AD-347E-4E30-828C-07B353B68048 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notable residents==
{{See also|Category:People from Burntisland}}
[[File:Burntislands People (geograph 2371375).jpg|thumb|250x250px|Burntisland's people information board at The Links]]
* [[David Danskin]], mechanical engineer, and first [[captain (association football)|captain]] of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal football club]].
* [[Aileen Paterson]], writer and illustrator
* [[Robert Pitcairn (Royal Navy officer)|Robert Pitcairn]], midshipman in the Royal Navy, who first spotted [[Pitcairn Island]] in the [[Pacific Ocean]] when aged 15
* [[Anneila Sargent]], astronomer
* [[Mary Somerville]], science writer and polymath after whom [[Somerville College, Oxford]] is named
* [[Darrell Sweet (musician)|Darrell Sweet]], drummer with the band [[Nazareth (band)|Nazareth]]
* [[Robert Boog Watson]], zoologist and minister
* [[Patrick Heron Watson]], surgeon, brother of above
* [[Eddie Wilson (sportsman)|Edward Wilson]], cricketer and badminton player

==See also==
*[[Burntisland (Parliament of Scotland constituency)]]
*[[Craigkelly transmitting station]]
*[[List of places in Fife]]
*[[Pitsligo Press]], founded in Burntisland by [[George Hay Forbes]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050406180741/http://www.collinswell.co.uk/alcan.html Collinswell Land Ltd] History of closure and redevelopment of Alcan site

==External links==
{{Commons category|Burntisland}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Burntisland}}
* [http://www.burntisland.net/ Burntisland Online]
* [http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/Burntisland Burntisland on FifeDirect]
* [http://www.burntislandhighlandgames.co.uk/ Burntisland Highland Games]
* [http://www.brand-dd.com/burntisland/index.html The Burntisland Pages]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070217214036/http://freespace.virgin.net/buts.64/BurntislandGC/history.html Burntisland history]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Burntisland| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Fife]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Scotland]]
[[Category:Royal burghs]]
[[Category:Seaside resorts in Scotland]]
[[Category:Parishes in Fife]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]