Auchtertool Kirk

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   Text © Copyright August 2022, Bill Kasman; licensed for re-use under a Creative Commons Licence.
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Auchtertool Kirk stands in a prominent position with great views over the Fife countryside

Accessed by a gravel road from the B925 and situated on a grassy hill there has been a church in this position since at least 1178 and it has been in continuous use ever since. There have been alterations and additions over the years and the building as it is today dates largely from 1833. In 1812 a large manse was built nearby but this house ceased to be the manse in 1969 and is now a private residence. The present church bell was installed in 1887 and a previous bell is on display inside the building. The south side of the church displays a fine stained glass window - a memorial to those who fell in the first world war. Since 1991 the kirk has been united with Linktown Church in Kirkcaldy - the two churches sharing one minister. Auchtertool Kirk has an old cemetery which surrounds the church with graves going back as far as 1604. This cemetery, of course, is no longer in use; the current cemetery is a few metres to the north of the church. This kirk has an interesting history LinkExternal link

Auchtertool Kirk is also served by a public path - the Auchtertool Kirk Path - which is a right-of-way and which can be used to travel from Auchtertool village to the kirk. This path makes use of two public roads - the B925 and the minor road known as the 'Puddledub Road' which runs past Kirkton Farm. In theory these two roads and the path can be used as a circular route. The Puddledub Road isn't a problem; it's a quiet road which starts just outside the village and can be followed to Kirkton Farm from where a grassy path heads uphill following a field margin to the church. However, the B925 can be a busy road and since it has neither a pavement nor a suitable grass verge it cannot be recommended for pedestrians. Those wishing to walk to the church from Auchtertool village are advised not to use the B925.

There are videos of this location on YouTube:

Auchtertool Kirk: LinkExternal link

Auchtertool Kirk Path LinkExternal link

This gravel road on the right leaves the B925 just outside the village of Auchtertool (ahead). It leads to the church, the cemetery and the former manse, now a private house.
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by Bill Kasman


The gravel road which serves Auchtertool Kirk approaches the car parking area.
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by Bill Kasman


These gates guard the driveway of Candleford House which used to be the manse for Auchtertool Kirk.
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by Bill Kasman


From the car park of Auchtertool Kirk these gates lead to the current cemetery.
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The small building is an equipment store.
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by Bill Kasman


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These fallen gravestones are all relatively recent. Why they are lying down I have no idea.
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by Bill Kasman


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The kirk is hidden in the trees to the right with only the access stairs visible. The blue roof of a portaloo can be seen behind a fence. It stands in a significant position.
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by Bill Kasman


These gates lead to the stairs up to the kirk. Past the gates, in the centre of the image, is the beginning of a path (known as the 'Auchtertool Kirk path') which leads to the minor road between the B9157 and the B925. Known locally as the 'Puddledub Road' this minor road can be used to reach Auchtertool village.
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by Bill Kasman


This sign, at the car park for Auchtertool Kirk, points the way to the kirk path.
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by Bill Kasman


This is the beginning of the Auchtertool Kirk path which reaches the minor road known locally as 'Puddledub Road' which can be used to reach Auchtertool village.
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by Bill Kasman


Seen from the Auchtertool Kirk path NT2090 : Auchtertool Kirk gates
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This gate is on the Auchtertool Kirk path. The kirk car park is just beyond it.
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by Bill Kasman


From near the top of the Auchtertool Kirk path. The path runs to the left of the image. The buildings are those of Kirkton Farm.
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by Bill Kasman


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Being on a grassy mound the kirk has stairs leading up to it.
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Being on a grassy mound the kirk has stairs leading down from it. The car park is at the bottom.
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The blue roof of a portaloo can be seen behind a fence and in front of the fence is a commemorative stone carrying a poem which was inspired by Jean Patterson, daughter of the last beadle of Auchtertool Parish Church, John Hamilton, who lived with his family in a house (demolished in 1987) which, according to the poem, stood on this spot.
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by Bill Kasman


In front of the tree and fence (which hides a portaloo) is a commemorative stone carrying a poem which was inspired by Jean Patterson, daughter of the last beadle of Auchtertool Parish Church, John Hamilton, who lived with his family in a house (demolished in 1987) which, according to the poem, stood on this spot.
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by Bill Kasman


This plaque, carrying a poem, is attached to the memorial in this image NT2090 : Memorial in car park For a closer look see this image NT2090 : Memorial poem
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by Bill Kasman


This is the poem seen in this image NT2090 : Memorial in car park
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Part of the old cemetery and the kirk seen from the bottom of the stairs from the car park.
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by Bill Kasman


The kirk and the old cemetery. The object below the window is a diesel fuel tank for the church's central heating system.
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by Bill Kasman


In the old cemetery of Auchtertool Kirk this interesting geology display dates from 2010 and is based on work done by pupils of Auchtertool Primary School all of whom will now be grown up and out in the big wide world!
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by Bill Kasman


This sundial isn't in its original position. It's been moved, it's wobbly and its orientation is wrong. It no longer shows the correct time.
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In Auchtertool Kirk old cemetery. The inscription is well weathered and unreadable as are many of the other old gravestones.
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by Bill Kasman


Auchtertool Kirk has two bench seats sited in excellent positions in the old cemetery - they allow great views of the countryside whilst having a sandwich and cup of tea! NT2190 : View from Auchtertool Kirk
This one has an interesting dedication plaque attached to it NT2090 : This must be some kind of record!
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by Bill Kasman


This plaque is on a bench seat in the old cemetery. This married couple served Auchtertool Kirk for 51 years!
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This view is what you will see if you are sitting on this bench seat in the old cemetery NT2090 : Bench seat at church
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by Bill Kasman


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The church, the gates, the portaloo and the commemorative stone NT2090 : Memorial in car park
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by Bill Kasman


This gate, in the boundary wall of Auchtertool Kirk, leads to the Auchtertool Kirk path NT2090 : Auchtertool Kirk gates
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by Bill Kasman


Seen from the Auchtertool Kirk path.
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by Bill Kasman


Next to the gates of Auchtertool Kirk.
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Seen from the Kirk Path.
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The Auchtertool Kirk Path is a right-of-way which can be used to access the church.
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by Bill Kasman


Auchtertool Kirk Path is a right-of-way which can be used to access the church.
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by Bill Kasman


The path runs along a field margin towards Kirkton Farm.
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by Bill Kasman


From the bottom of the Auchtertool Kirk Path looking along the 'Puddledub Road' towards Auchtertool.
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by Bill Kasman



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