Leuchars
is renowned for its long association with the Royal Air Force
base and also the Church of St. Athernase which dates back to
the late 12th century. The Church is one of the finest examples
of Norman architecture in Britain and proudly stands on a grassy
knoll overlooking the village.
Originally the Leuchars area was a vast marshland at the mouth
of the River Eden. Both the Church and Leuchars Castle - which
was demolished in the 1970's - occupied the higher ground and
secured a vantage point over the surrounding area. Extensive
land reclamation about 1800 allowed Leuchars village to expand
and the coming of the railway along with the formation of the
RAF base helped to establish a prosperous community. Although
the Royal Engineers had been experimenting with air balloons
in 1911 it was not until 1917 that the Royal Navy Fleet Training
School built an airfield at Leuchars. By 1920 the RAF base had
been established as part of Britain's defence system. The RAF
hold their Battle of Britain air display every September at
Leuchars.
North of Leuchars lies Tentsmuir - a wooded area where the primitive
people of the Stone Age and Bronze Age were known to eke out
an existence. The woods are now cared for by the Forestry Commission
but access, complete with visitor facilities is available at
Kinshaldy Beach.
Leuchars Junction is the closest railroad station to the famed
city of St. Andrews. There is a local Bus service, and taxi-cabs,
to St. Andrews which is 4 miles to the south-east of Leuchars.
There are trains from Leuchars to Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Connections
can be made from Edinburgh onwards to London. There are also
trains from Leuchars to Cupar, Ladybank, Markinch, Kirkcaldy,
Inverkeithing, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee, etc;
One of most relaxing, ways to visit Edinburgh is by train from
Leuchars. Leuchars is ideally located for easy trips to St Andrews,
Dunfermline, Culross, Perth, Edinburgh, Falkland Palace, and
all of historic Fife.
If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized
small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me:
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