Balmerino
| Balmerino | |
| Fife | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NO3624 |
| Location: | 56°24’40"N, 3°2’35"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Newport-on-Tay |
| Postcode: | DD6 |
| Dialling code: | 01382 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Fife |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North East Fife |
Balmerino is a small village, parish and former monastic centre in Fife. Its name is from the Gaelic Baile Meireanach meaning "Foolish Farm" or, perhaps more likely, Baile Marruineach meaning "Dairy Farm". It is the home of Balmerino Abbey and the former abbots of Balmerino who were great regional landlords. It became a secular lordship at the beginning of the 17th century and fell into ruin. The Abbey ruins and grounds are managed by the National Trust for Scotland and are famed for the ancient sweet chestnut tree and the display of aconites which flower in February. The village is now an official Conservation Area.
Balmerino is also "celebrated" by a poem by William McGonagall - said to be the English language's worst poet - "Beautiful Balmerino".
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Balmerino) |
