Star, Fife

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Star (also known as Star of Markinch) is a small village in Fife, Scotland.

The name star derives from the old Norse word - starr- for the type of grass (sedge) that grows on boggy land. The area of land around the village has been and continues to be boggy with Star Moss (a site of special scientific interest) a raised bog to the north west of the village draining out to land to the north of the village East of the village two reservoirs which were built there to take advantage of the already wet conditions. The boggy conditions attract thousands of overwintering greylag geese. Skeins of them can be seen flying over around the village from October until early May.

Originally the village consisted of linen weavers' cottages as flax growing and linen weaving was a large industry in Fife during the 1700s and through the 1800s. These consisting usually of two rooms, one for the family to live in and one for the loom. There are also some original farm workers' cottages. These older cottages have been developed and extended but remain interesting and attractive. Some of the houses in the village date from the early 1700s. Star expanded considerably in the last quarter of the twentieth century and more housing is currently being built, most of the housing is still strung out along a single road for more than one mile with a few cul de sacs off it on either side. Most homes are single storey or one and an half storey houses. Regarded generally as a quiet and fairly affluent village. Most inhabitants work in neighbouring towns within Fife or further afield in cities like Edinburgh, Dundee or Perth.

Star is located between Markinch and Kennoway.It benefits from views of the Lomond Hills to the west.It is fairly close to one of the major trunk roads (A92) and the mainline east coast rail line with a station in Markinch approximately six minutes by car. Edinburgh is about an hour away by car and St Andrews approximately thirty minutes.

Many joke about the size of the village, however it has enjoyed a boost in the number of houses being built in recent years. Star now has an estimated 500 residents. There are relatively few amenities even for a small village. In the past there was a post office which is now closed. Star has a Public house called The Plough Inn, however, The Plough has been closed since May 2006, and is currently up for sale.

Star Primary School has benefited from the recent housing boost as it has been threatened with closure many times in the past. The primary school dates from 1816, with a later addition to the building. The village hall is an amenity used by many in the local community. Many groups such as The Youth Club,WRI,Bowls, Toddler's Group and Machine Knitting Club make use of the Hall. Every year the village puts on a gala day which is attended by many residents. Gala day is followed by a week of other community events usually cumulating in a Ceilidh in the village hall.

To the north of the village are the notable old farms of Carriston (originally Carretstoun) and Pyeston which were originally ferm touns i.e. small clusters of habitation engaged in agriculture. Carriston Farm has a notable large house - originally built around 1700 it has a large Victorian extension and tower added on. Pyeston farm house also dates to about 1700 though not as grand in design. An old "doocot" or dovecot(circa 1700) is located nearby - this would have supplied fresh meat in the winter for the inhabitants of Pyeston.