*** The Church will be Open from 20th April '26 for self guided tours and also guided tours ***
St Drostan's Markinch Church and
12th Century Tower
Preserving Our Heritage
This website is presented and maintained by volunteer guides. It is not a Church of Scotland Website.
We guides donate our time and energy to greet visitors to the Church and to assist in preserving the knowledge, history and developed culture of the church and community.
Our Mission as guides at St Drostan's
Protecting this building and the historical landscape is our passion.
We collaborate with the community and visitors to revive, remind and maintain cultural significance.
Our team of enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers ensures
a high-quality, informative and hopefully fun learning experience for visitors
1000+
Visitors during summer 2025
900
Years History
800
Mason's Marks
A Resting place on the Fife Pilgrim Way
Pre-Reformation History
Post-Reformation Design
12th Century Tower
Medieval Cemetery
Seat of Civil and Religious Power
Unmissable Stop on the Fife Pilgrim Way
Walk in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims
Pilgrims travelling
Markinch would once have been a popular resting place for medieval pilgrims on their way to St Andrews.
They may have lodged in the grounds of the Prior's House and visited the ancient Stob Cross and St Drostan's Church nearby.
Church Building
Although the Church was remodelled several times through the centuries, clues to its former appearance remain, while its 12th century tower remains intact.
Saint Drostan
Saint Drostan was a follower of St Columba, who was active in Aberdeenshire, where the MacDuffs of Markinch would have had land holdings.
It is believed that at one time, the old church may well have housed a relic associated with the saint.
Markinch
Markinch is a Gateway on the Fife Pilgrim Way. It is a halfway point on the journey. In the town there are cafes, stores, hotels, a pharmacy and an information board about the local area.
The route then continues east to Ceres via Brunton Road, at the foot of Glass Street at the right-angled bend on the High Street.
Community Focused
At St Drostan's, the volunteers, guides and others in the community have recently come together and formed a charitable organisation named St Drostan's and Markinch Community Group.
The aim is to focus on all aspects of Markinch and involve every area of present day life and to promote the residents, business and whole community in all ways if possible.
St Drostan's Church has been the main focal point for at least 900 years during the development of the town and Markinch Parish in general.
Archaeology
One of the oldest buildings in Scotland with mysteries still to be solved
When King Edward I passed through Markinch in 1296 the tower that we see today was already more than 150 years old, dating back to the early decades of the 1100's. His French chronicler referred to it as a 'moustier' or minster and recent research including the use of ground penetrating radar has shown that the building was indeed of significant size, although never a minster in the usual sense of the word.
The reason for such an impressive building in the middle of a once sparsely populted area of Fife is gradually becoming clearer as work continues on an archaeological exploration of the building's early 12th century remains.
St Drostan’s Markinch. The Archaeology of a Unique 12th Century Building
From the : The Archaeology Lecture E-library - (30 minute video)
Visitor Friendly
The Church and tower are open daily from Easter to October from 10.30am to 4.30pm
Toilets are available in the Session House opposite the Church door.
Should you find the Church door closed and wish to go inside or be given a tour (or to book in advance) please contact any of the following who can be with you in 5 minutes :
Bruce : 07795 901366
Douglas : 01592 752403
Ken : 07740 416831
