Rosyth Old Kirk

Rosyth Old Kirk is a ruined medieval church on the shore of the Firth of Forth in Fife, Scotland, in the stretch between Limekilns and the Rosyth naval base. Only parts of the walls survive, but the burial ground around them is still in use, making this a quiet and atmospheric stop for anyone interested in history.

What is Rosyth Old Kirk?

It is a former parish church that has long been out of use for worship. Today it is a ruin protected as a Scheduled Monument. What remains is the east gable and part of the north wall, surrounded by graves and old headstones.

What is the history of the church?

The earliest traces go back to the 12th century. Land in this area was granted to the Monastery of Inchcolm in a charter of 1178. The church, said to have been dedicated to St John, belonged to the See of Dunkeld and existed at least by the second half of the 12th century.

Services were held here until the 17th century. Worship ended between 1630 and 1648. The parish is thought to have been united with Inverkeithing around 1636, after which the church was abandoned and fell into ruin.

What can you see on site?

The east gable and the adjoining section of wall belonged to a chancel built in the early 13th century. The rest of the north wall is part of a nave dating from the late 16th or 17th century. The difference in age between the two parts shows how the building changed over the centuries.

Among the graves, a large monument stands out: it commemorates Thomas Bruce, Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, who gave the burial ground to the parish. The earliest gravestones date from the mid 17th century. A curious feature is the salt-glazed brick grave markers found in the churchyard, an unusual sight compared with the more familiar stone slabs.

What is the mort house?

Beside the burial ground stands an early 19th-century mort house, linked to what was known as the Rosyth Safety Vault. Bodies could be kept there before burial. By then they were of no use to anatomists, so they were safe from body snatchers, who were a real concern at the time.

Is the burial ground still used?

Yes, the ground is still used for burials. When visiting, keep voices low and show the same respect you would at any active cemetery.

Frequently asked questions

Are services held at Rosyth Old Kirk? No. The church was abandoned in the 17th century and only ruins remain. The burial ground, however, is still active.

How old is the ruin? The east gable and part of the north wall are remnants of an early 13th-century chancel, while the rest of the north wall belongs to a nave from the late 16th or 17th century.

Is this the same as the 1929 parish church? No. The newer church in Rosyth, designed by A.H. Mottram, was built in 1929 for the garden city attached to the dockyard and is a separate building.

Is the ruin protected? Yes, it is a Scheduled Monument, which means it is protected by law.