The village and church of Kilrenny stand about one mile inland from the
coast at Anstruther. The only record before the Reformation is that in
1268 a pension was given to the vicar, who in 1336 was a certain
“John.”[177] The tower of the church (Fig. 1383) is old, and is attached
to a modern edifice. It is of the form common in Fife about the time of
the Reformation, being carried up (Fig. 1384) without buttresses or
ornament,
[Illustration: FIG. 1383.--Kilrenny Church. Plan of Tower, &c.]
and having a parapet supported on corbels similar to those used in the
castles of the period. There are traces of a large arch in the east wall
of the tower, and another in the south wall, as if intended to open into
a building, possibly the old church. The mark of the roof over the
building on the south side still remains, and also a portion of a thick
wall running southwards from the tower. In the internal angles of the
tower there are square shafts with rude caps, apparently intended to
support a vault, but there are now no traces of any vaulting. There are
also the remains of a two-light window in the north wall of the tower.
Attached to the west end of the tower is a stately monument erected by
the family of Lumsdaine of Innergelly.
In the churchyard of Kilrenny may still be seen the monument of Cardinal
Bethune or Beaton. It is an enclosure which stands to the eastward
[Illustration: FIG. 1384.--Kilrenny Church. Tower, &c., from
South-West.]
of the church, built with ashlar and ornamented with Ionic pillars. The
frieze and cornice are unfortunately wanting.
The entrance is in the east end, and in the opposite wall is a
well-carved representation of the arms of Bethune of Balfour, viz.,
quarterly, 1st and 4th, azure a fesse between three mascles, or, for
Bethune; 2nd and 3rd, argent on a chevron sable an otter’s head erased
of the first, for Balfour. Crest, an otter’s head proper; motto,
“Debonnaire.”