900th Anniversary

About Us

Banners & 900th Committee

8th Jan Unveiling of the banners by the 900 committee to mark the start of the celebrations: Back Left to Right: Colin Campbell, David Graham, Andy Bastow, Front Left to Right: Sue Farrar, Kate Wheaton & Linda Forret.

Any Questions?

10th Feb A live broadcast of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Any Questions?’ broadcast from the Church Hall. The panel were: Murdo Fraser MSP, Angela Haggerty, Fiona Hyslop MSP, Michael Marra MSP. See here for information and photos. View the ‘Any Questions?’ website here.

John Bell

19th Feb John Bell led the morning service. In the afternoon he gave a talk entitled ‘Humour in Holy Scripture’. See here for more information.

He is a Scottish hymn-writer and Church of Scotland minister. He is a member of the Iona Community, a broadcaster, and hymn writer. He works throughout the world, lecturing in theological colleges in the UK, Canada and the United States, but is primarily concerned with the renewal of congregational worship at the grass roots level.

See the recent article in the Church of Scotland magazine – Life & Work.

Who was St Fillan?

22nd March Medieval historian Dr Simon Taylor gave a talk about the origins and identity of the saint, the stories that grew up around him and his connection with Aberdour.
Before, during and after the talk, the Aberdour Medieval Singers, led by Ingried Boussaroque, performed short pieces of medieval music including two from the famous Inchcolm Antiphoner written on Inchcolm in praise of Aberdour’s other saint, Columba.
Both these events are part of Aberdour Cultural Association’s contribution to the 900th Anniversary celebrations.
See here for the talk.

Church Gates

March New church gates were installed with the inclusion of the text 1123 – 2023 in ‘gold’.

Sing It & Dysart Silver Band

22nd April A concert by Aberdour’s own Sing It and Dysart (Community Development) Silver Band.

Dysart Colliery Silver Band are based in Kirkcaldy and are one of Scotland’s oldest bands having been established in 1880 and known then as Dysart Town Band. More.

Service led by Moderator of Church of Scotland

14th May A service of celebration conducted by Rev. Iain Greenshields moderator of the Church of Scotland. Followed by lunch. Iain Greenshields is also the Minister of St Margaret’s, Dunfermline. This event was attended by grandchildren of Rev Johnstone and the daughter of Rev Rutherford.

James Robertson

19th May ‘Hermits and Heretics: A Tour through the Fictional World of James Robertson’. James is a Scottish writer who grew up in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. He is the author of several short story and poetry collections and has published six novels. Winner of the 2022 Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction for his novel “News of the Dead” (following on from Hilary Mantel in 2021) – More.

DCU Swings It at St Fillan’s

3rd June DCU – Dunfermline Choral Union is an amateur choir of approximately 115 enthusiastic singers. They perform a series of concerts throughout the year, often featuring professional soloists and orchestras. The music they perform covers a wide range from classical to contemporary. They love singing and appreciate the physical and psychological benefits singing together gives them. At St Fillan’s they sang Broadway hit musical numbers with an emphasis on swing.

Aberdour Primary School

23rd June The whole school has been looking at different aspects of the church. They presented this in an exhibition in the school including the stained glass windows and a leaflet of a self guided tour of the church grounds. See here for a selection of the exhibition at Doors Open Days – see photos here.

Aberdour Festival

28th July – 6th Aug Aberdour Festival including the Flower Show and Songs of Praise (this year at St Fillan’s). See the festival activities taking place in St Fillan’s Church & Church Hall here. See photos of the LEGO event here.

Aberdour Players

25th & 26th Aug Aberdour Players will perform ‘Everyman’ a morality play from the sixteenth century. They were devised for and by the ordinary people, and performed in the street or public buildings, with a simple message about living a moral life. It will be performed in the church. There will be the opportunity for you to be involved. See photos.

Inchcolm

3rd Sept It is also Inchcolm Abbey’s 900th anniversary. We haven’t been able to visit for a few years – this was a popular day out. Sailing from Aberdour on the Maid of the Forth with a short service at the Abbey. See here for more information. See photos.

Bernstein and Sondheim -Tonight

9th Sept James Moore’s Kirkcaldy’s ‘Ensemble’. They are a light operatic concert group. It is also being performed at the Fringe on Sunday 27th August at St Andrews and St George’s West – see here.

Doors Open Days Fife

16th & 17th Sept St Fillan’s church was open both days to visitors as part of Doors Open Days Fife. Included was a selection of the Primary School exhibition and a display of church communion ‘silverware’, including Captain Morgan’s Communion Cup and other artefacts. This was a popular event attracting many visitors. See photos here.

Elizabeth Ogilvie

23rd Sept INTO THE OCEANIC – A visual extravaganza by Elizabeth Ogilvie.

Elizabeth is a World renowned contemporary artist from Fife. Acclaimed for her work exploring the impact of climate change. Her work is held in several public and private collections, and she exhibits internationally. She is considered one of the most significant Scottish artists of her generation. See here for more information.

East Fife Male Voice Choir

October 27th The East Fife Male Voice Choir was formed in 1957 in the Wemyss area of Fife, with a backing of the coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation. It was a great outlet for the Miners and others who joined, being able to sing and socialise with like-minded men as and still is today a great pastime. They sang ‘something for everyone’.

Read here about what happened on the 850th anniversary.