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A small stone chapel with a bellcote rises behind gravestones, a paved path leading through the churchyard beneath bare branches.
Fife

St Fillan’s Church

A small Norman church of 1123 beside Aberdour Castle, one of the finest in Scotland, a miniature cathedral in its own graveyard with views over the Forth.

Welcome

Tucked beside Aberdour Castle, in a graveyard of old stones looking out over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh, St Fillan's Church is one of the finest Norman churches in Scotland.

It is small and simple, a miniature cathedral of warm stone with a little bellcote on its gable.

The oldest parts, the nave and the chancel, were built in 1123, more than nine hundred years ago. Later centuries added a side aisle and a small transept, and the church has been lovingly cared for ever since. Inside, the thick stone walls are pierced by small windows filled with stained glass, among them a pilgrim with his staff before a rising sun and two robed figures beside a sailing boat.

It is still a working church and it opens every day. Combine it with the castle next door and a walk down to the sands of Aberdour.

Before you go

Open every day, 10am to 4.30pm, in Google's current record.

Where
Aberdour, KY3 0UP.
Built
1123.
Style
Norman.

Did you know

A small stone chapel with a bellcote stands behind a scatter of gravestones, a gravel path leading through the churchyard beneath bare branches.
Did you know

More than nine hundred years.

The nave and chancel of the church date from 1123.

A stained-glass window shows two robed figures in conversation before a sailing boat and hills, set into a dark stone archway.
Did you know

A miniature cathedral.

The church is counted among the finest examples of Norman architecture in Scotland.

What is on

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New places, news and stories, as we find them.

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Where it is

Beside Aberdour Castle in the village of Aberdour on the south coast of Fife, KY3 0UP.

Close byAberdour.
  1. Aberdour Castle and GardensAberdour Castle and GardensThe castle next door.Under a mile3 min by road
  2. Ruined abbey tower on Inchcolm island, hills rising beyond the firthInchcolm2 miles6 min by road
  3. Sandy beach and promenade beneath Gourock's hillside, church spire rising above the seafrontBurntisland BeachA big beach along the coast.3 miles7 min by road
  4. Sandy beach and promenade beneath Gourock's hillside, church spire rising above the seafrontBurntisland3 miles7 min by road
  5. Star-shaped lanterns hang above shelves of dried flowers, clocks and ornaments in a gift shopBel & EttaAn independent gift and clothing shop on the High Street at Burntisland, with homeware, cards, fashion and toys, open on Sundays too.3 miles7 min by road
  6. Wooden shopfront with black awning reading "Fruit & Veg Merchant" and Macauley's signage in the windowMacauley's3 miles7 min by road
Directions
eFoiling Beneath the Forth Bridges, EdinburghActivityeFoil Scotland3.5 miles
Forth Bridge's red steel cantilevers seen through overhanging tree branches across the waterAttractionsForth Bridge7.6 miles
Aproned woman and dog stand outside Coorie by the Coast caféRestaurantsCoorie by the Coast8.1 miles
Stone abbey tower with pinnacles rising above autumn trees and hedgesAttractionsDunfermline Abbey and Palace8.7 miles
Red-harled townhouse with crow-stepped gables overlooking a moss-covered graveyardAttractionsAbbot House8.7 miles
Child runs across a ladybird-themed play park, ice cream van parked behindAttractionsPittencrieff Park8.9 miles
Stone entrance building with wooden bench, lettering reads "Saint Margaret's CaveAttractionsSt Margaret's Cave9.0 miles
The Fife Coastal Path, a railed path along a green cliff above a blue sea.AttractionsFife Coastal Path9.1 miles
Ruined stone tower framed by trees under a pink sunset skyAttractionsRavenscraig Castle10 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the church, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Fife
  • 8 miles from St Fillan's Church
Check datesA man walks past Bucken Booths entrance flanked by black lamp postsOld Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Fife
  • 8 miles from St Fillan's Church
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Fife
  • 8 miles from St Fillan's Church
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Fife
  • 9 miles from St Fillan's Church
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in FifeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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