Star, Fife
Star (also known as Star of Markinch) is a small village in Fife, Scotland.
The name of 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 raised bog to the northwest of the village drains out to land to the north of the village. East of the village are two reservoirs, taking advantage of the already wet conditions. The boggy conditions attract thousands of overwintering greylag geese. Skeins of them can be seen flying over the village from October until early May.
Both the Star Moss and the nearby Carriston Reservoir are sites of special scientific interest.
Originally the village consisted of linen weavers' cottages, to support the large flax growing and linen weaving industry of Fife in the 17-1800s. These original cottages were 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.
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 farmhouse also dates to about 1700, although not as grand in design. An old "doocot" or dovecote (circa 1700) is located nearby. This would have supplied fresh meat in the winter for the inhabitants of Pyeston.
Star has continued expanding since the 1970s, with a current population of around 500. Most of the housing is strung out along the main road for over a mile with several newer cul-de-sacs on either side. Most homes are single-storey, or 1 1⁄2-storey houses. Recently the residents vigorously rejected a village expansion programme for affordable housing.
Star is 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 the A92 trunk road, and Markinch railway station on the East Coast Main Line is about six minutes by car. Edinburgh is about an hour away by car and St Andrews approximately thirty minutes.
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