Limekilns
If you manage to visit Culross – which I blogged about in Part 67 – it’s well worth taking the time to continue along the coast to the small village of Limekilns. It’s not on the Outlander trail as far as I’m aware so doesn’t draw in the number of tourists that Culross does. However, Limekilns is featured in the novel Kidnapped, by nineteenth century Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, as back then it was common for boats to take the trip across the Forth to Bo’ness. The characters Alan Breck and David Balfour used the crossing as an escape route when they were being pursued by redcoat soldiers. While writing this I’ve just checked my bookshelves and I see I have an old hardback copy of the book which I’ve yet to read. I can only assume this copy belonged to my father, but I’ve no idea why this book – out of the many others he had which were all given away – survived in my own collection. It’s a shame, but it wasn’t possible for me to keep hold of his books and only a handful were kept. Why this old copy of Kidnapped still sits on my shelves I’ve no idea now. There is no date on the book anywhere, so I’m at a loss to guess the age. There is a handwritten dedication on the inside page, but at the time of writing I’ve been unable to decipher it. Note the pub called The Ship Inn – which is located on the main road through the village – is believed to be the ‘watering hole’ featured in the novel Kidnapped as it’s certainly old enough. It’s not mentioned by name though.
It takes fifteen minutes to drive from Culross, heading east along the Firth of Forth. It’s a fishing village dating back to the 14th century though it’s name today dates from the 18th century and is taken from its limestone industry. Lime was used as a fertiliser for crops and also for mortar which is used in the construction of stone buildings. The remains of the lime kilns can still be viewed at the edge of the village, adjacent to the small town of Charlestown. According to Wikipedia, the oldest building in the village is The King’s Cellar, which dates back to 1362. Quite astonishing to think how long ago this is.
There is a great coastal walking path at the opposite end from the limekiln ruins on the way to Rosyth. You pass the Rosyth Old Churchyard, which is a walled cemetery, which is worth stopping for a look. Be careful though, as many of the stones are crumbling so keep a lookout and stay safe.
The Fiction Factory 