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The Association of British Counties

Gazetteer of
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Kinross-shire, Scotland

Kinross-shire is a small, inland county lying between Perthshire and Fife. It is the second smallest county in Great Britain. Kinross-shire was formed in the 12th century when the two parishes of Kinross and Orwell were removed from the Fothriff area of Fife. Cleish, Portmoak and Tullibole were added by an Act of Parliament in 1685.

Type: Historic County
Lat, Long: 56.188765,-3.458384
Grid Reference: NO095005
Country: Scotland
 Explore Kinross-shire on Wikishire

Kinross-shire is landlocked and is generally flat, except in the north-west where the Ochil Hills are located, and along the southern boundary where the Cleish Hills can be found. The Ochils contain Innerdouny Hill, Kinross-shire's highest point (1,631 ft). Much of Kinross–shire is fertile agricultural land.

Trig point S6179 Innerdouny Hill - geograph.org.uk - 286743
Innerdouny Hill summit

At the heart of this little shire is Loch Leven, at 4,000 acres the largest loch in the Scottish lowlands. There are seven islands on the loch. On Castle Island lie the ruins of Loch Leven Castle. The castle is strongly associated with Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned here in 1567–1568, and forced to abdicate as queen, before escaping with the help of her gaoler's family. On the largest island, St Serf's Inch, are the remains of St Serf's Inch Priory, founded in 1150 and abandoned during the reign of James VI.

Kinross Castle 01
Loch Leven Castle

Loch Leven has a rich ecosystem that supports many different species of plants, insects, fish and birds. The loch holds numerous international conservation designations. As the largest lowland loch in Scotland, Loch Leven is an important site for waterfowl, with up to 35,000 birds present in the winter months.

The county town of Kinross is attractively located on the northern shores of Loch Leven. The site of the original parish church and churchyard are located down a small wynd overlooking Loch Leven, a little away from the town. There are boat trips around the loch and to Loch Leven Castle. Kinross lies close to the M90.

Standing Stones - geograph.org.uk - 286394
Standing Stones near Milnathort

The village of Milnathort stands amidst picturesque countryside at the foot of the Ochil Hills, and near the north shore of Loch Leven. Settlement in the area can be dated as far back as 2,000 BC, with two Neolithic standing stones being nearby where human remains were found and dated. The ruins of Burleigh Castle stand just outside the village. The Balfours of Burleigh built the castle in the 15th century to rule over what was then a market town.

Burleigh Castle 20090618 from the west
Burleigh Castle

The village of Kinnesswood east of the loch was the birthplace in 1746 of the poet Michael Bruce who was born into a weaver's family and is remembered for his nature poetry in poems such as 'Ode To The Cuckoo. ' He is buried in the tranquil churchyard at Portmoak Church.

At Scotlandwell are famous springs. In early Latin charters it is named Fons Scotiae (meaning "Scotland's Well"); the curative waters that bubble up through the sandy ground were used by Red Friars who maintained a hospital in the village between 1250 and 1587. Thousands of pilgrims came to Scotlandwell to take the water, the most famous perhaps being King Robert the Bruce who is alleged to have found a cure for leprosy here. The ornamental well and wash house which can be seen today were built in the 19th century.

The Well, Scotlandwell
The Well House, Scotlandwell