St. Fillan's Church

Though to be named after the Irish Saint, it was in existence in 1124 when King Alexander founded the Incholm priory. A fine example of simple Norman architecture it contains some interesting artifacts including a Pre-Reformation bell, a Bible dated 1628 and stained glass of great beauty. The leper squint, in the west gable, is said to be where Robert the Bruce gave thanks for his victory at Bannockburn in 1314. Having survived over 600 years of turbulent history it succumbed to patronage squabbles and a new one was built in 1790, now the Church Hall . Abandoned and unroofed, St. Fillan's soon became a ruin. But thanks to a few enlightened spirits, the ancient stones were restored and rededicated in 1926 giving back to Aberdour...'one of the most perfect sanctuaries for worship in the whole of Scotland'.

Railway Station

The opening of the Forth Railway Bridge in 1894 firmly established the popularity of Aberdour as a holiday resort and a desirable residential area for those with business in Edinburgh. Today the village still holds the same appeal. The half hour rail journey between Edinburgh's Princes Street and Aberdour's prize winning floral station, across famous Forth Bridge, is not just he envy of all commuters but a holiday must. The high point of the Summer is the annual Festival at the end of July which is a week-long pageant of events and activities. Arts, music and drama can be enjoyed, along with the sailing regatta, sports and the Donkey Brae Run.

Old Pier

View a 360° panorama of the beach at Aberdour.

The natural harbour formed by the Dour Burn estuary and the Hawkcraig gave Aberdour its start in life, but it was the nearby coal which sustained it. Although bad roads limited local commerce, the village long traded with the continent. When the village outgrew the harbour in the 2700's the stone pier was built and later extended. Eventually, the small tidal harbours lost out to the railways but by then Aberdour was a major attraction for excursion paddle steamers. In Victorian times the wooden pier at Hawkcraig Point was built to cope with low water sailings. Much of the wood pier has now gone, but the old stone pier remains a great attraction for leisure boats of all kinds, for walkers, artists and not least for socialising on a warm summer evening.

Aberdour Castle

Construction began around 1200 by the Mortimer family. In 1325 King Robert the Bruce granted the land to his nephew, the Earl of Moray. In time the title passed to the Douglases, later to become Earls of Morton, who played a prominent part in Scottish history. Aberdour Castle remained with the family, with improvements made notably in Regent Morton's era in the 1500's. By the early 18th century, having suffered fire damage, it was abandoned as a principal residence in favour of the neighbouring Aberdour House. The Castle, gardens and unusual 16th century beehive shaped Dovecot are all in the care of Historic Scotland who welcome visitors.