Very little is known about the origin of Markinch – all we really do know is that it is very, very old. The earliest sign of human life is the Stone Circle found in Balbirnie park which is thought to date back to the Neolithic period around 3000 BC.

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The town is believed to be the Pictish capital of Fife. The Picts were people who lived in the eastern and northern parts of Scotland during the Late Iron Age (1200 BC – 1BC). Back then, the town was under the name Dalgynch, before being changed to Markinch (the Gaelic being Marc Innis, meaning “horse meadow”).

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The most prominent feature in Markinch is St. Drostan’s Church which sits atop the highest peak in the town – the spire can be seen from all ends of the town. It is not known for sure when the church was first built, but there is evidence of its existence from the 11th century, though it is believed to be older.

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There were two other churches in the town – The Free Church on the modern day High street (built in 1843) and the former Balbirnie Church, a United Presbyterian church built in 1896. Both of these churches are no longer in use have been converted into flats, leaving St. Drostan’s as Markinch’s only functioning church.