Balmerino

Balmerino
Balmerino  Balmerino shown within Fife
OS grid reference	NO3624
Council area	Fife
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Dundee
Postcode district	DD6
Dialling code	01382
Police	Scottish
Fire	Scottish
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	North East Fife
Scottish Parliament	North East Fife
List of places UK Scotland

Looking north across the Tay from above Balmerino

For the racehorse, see Balmerino (horse).

Balmerino (Scottish Gaelic: Baile Meireanach meaning "Foolish Farm" or Scottish Gaelic: Baile Marruineach meaning "Dairy Farm") is a small village and former monastic centre in Fife, Scotland. It is the home of Balmerino Abbey and the former abbots of Balmerino who were great regional landlords. It became a secular lordship (see Lord Balmerino) 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".

See also

• List of places in Fife

External links

• Balmerino on geo.ed.ac.uk
• Balmerino - History of the Parish