Culross – Scottish Gaelic: Cuileann Ros, ‘holly point or promontory’.
Legend has it in the 6th century, future saint Teneu became pregnant before she was married. Her father, King Loth was furious at the news and hurled her from a cliff to her death. But, she survived the fall somewhat unharmed and unknown to her father. She was met by an unmanned boat and drifted to the Firth of Forth over to Culross where she was cared for by Saint Serf, who became a father to her son, Mungo. Saint Mungo then become the Patron Saint of Glasgow.
Visiting Culross is like stepping back in time, it’s such a quirky wee village with only 395 residents. It’s filled with steep cobbled streets and so much character you can get lost wandering for hours. And only 20 minutes from Edinburgh, it makes the perfect day trip from the city.
Culross Palace dates back to the late 16th century, built by Sir George Bruce, the Laird of Carnock. It’s bright yellow and sits proudly in the middle of the Main Street. It’s currently closed due to covid, but you can still visit the gardens at the back of the property. A stunning reconstructed period garden complete with a rare breed of Scots Dumpy hen and the most amazing flowers! There are staff on hand to chat about plants and bee’s and you can even buy some of their potatoes on the way out.
We took a walk around the quaint little streets before we stopped for a hot chocolate at a little cafe named Bessies. It’s take away only outdoor seating and the owner was really helpful and full of so many stories about the village. Things are still a bit strange surrounding cover rules, it’s quieter than normal and things are closed, but it’s still a beautiful visit and if you are Lucky (and visit on a Thursday) you’ll get to hear a little fiddle band play. A group of friends who have gathered and played together for fun for 30 years, they music fills the street just outside the cafe.
The kids took their cameras and filled them with photos of cobbles and flowers, and Culross isn’t short of either. Every house is decorated with hanging baskets and little planters full of colourful blooms, with little makeshift gardens throughout the village.
We took a second trip, without the kids to have a wander around the West Kirk, it’s approx a mile out of the village and a beautiful walk, but a bit far for wee legs. And really slippy on a wet day. It was the parish church until 1633. It’s an old ruin and is beautiful. Used in Series 1 of Outlander it’s a pretty popular wee place, that had a constant stream of visitors when we were there.
Culross is one of those dreamy little places that you fall in love with instantly. I could wander the little cobbled streets for hours and never be bored. I can’t wait to come back in later in the year when everything reopens properly!
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has looked up cottages on right move this week! Culross, you are stunning!
