Anstruther Wester Churchyard
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Anstruther Wester Churchyard

Also known as St Nicholas Churchyard

Anstruther, Fife, Scotland

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  • Get directions High Street West,
    Anstruther Wester, Anstruther, Fife KY10 3DJ Scotland
    Coordinates: 56.22240, -2.70370
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Dedicated first to St Ethernan (Latinised to St Adrian) who according to legend, after being murdered by Vikings c870, his body floated across from the Isle of May in the stone coffin found in the churchyard. Later dedicated to St Nicholas in 1243, patron saint of sailors.


The church was large, with a stout tower and pillared aisles: it stood in the centre of an extensive churchyard, reduced when the new road and bridge were built across the Dreel burn. The tower dates from the 16th century and was reroofed in 1761. Until 1636, a brazier blazed on the roof of the tower as a warning to ships and guiding them into harbour.


Often in disrepair, the church was reduced in size three times. De-consecrated in 1961 and named the Hew Scott Hall, it served as the church hall for St Adrian, Parish Church of Easter and other community activities. Following restoration in 2014, the church reopened as Anstruther Dreel Halls.


Although reduced from its medieval area, the churchyard still contains much of interest including the stone coffin of St Adrian and a number of 17th century memorials. Until the late 19th century, graves were protected by iron cages, or ‘mortsafes' to foil body-snatchers. This graveyard was so popular that the sexton, while digging a grave, would often turn up as many as six skulls.

Dedicated first to St Ethernan (Latinised to St Adrian) who according to legend, after being murdered by Vikings c870, his body floated across from the Isle of May in the stone coffin found in the churchyard. Later dedicated to St Nicholas in 1243, patron saint of sailors.


The church was large, with a stout tower and pillared aisles: it stood in the centre of an extensive churchyard, reduced when the new road and bridge were built across the Dreel burn. The tower dates from the 16th century and was reroofed in 1761. Until 1636, a brazier blazed on the roof of the tower as a warning to ships and guiding them into harbour.


Often in disrepair, the church was reduced in size three times. De-consecrated in 1961 and named the Hew Scott Hall, it served as the church hall for St Adrian, Parish Church of Easter and other community activities. Following restoration in 2014, the church reopened as Anstruther Dreel Halls.


Although reduced from its medieval area, the churchyard still contains much of interest including the stone coffin of St Adrian and a number of 17th century memorials. Until the late 19th century, graves were protected by iron cages, or ‘mortsafes' to foil body-snatchers. This graveyard was so popular that the sexton, while digging a grave, would often turn up as many as six skulls.

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  • Added: 6 Jun 2013
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2499502