Cullen Kirk

Cullen Kirk, originally uploaded by Alan Runcie.

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In 1327, Queen Elizabeth de Burgh, second wife of Robert the Bruce, died at Cullen, and it is recorded that her 'interiores partes' were buried in the church. The king founded a chaplainry in that year to pray for her soul. The church was dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin, the patron saint of Cullen. A carving of the Virgin and Child, now much weathered, may still be seen on the old Mercat Cross in Cullen Square. This same cross would once have stood outside the Kirk gates in the middle of the original Burgh of Cullen, which was demolished in the 1820's when the town was removed to its present position.