THE open day at Auchterderran Church was praised by the secretary of the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum.

Nick Cooke was a visitor to last weekend's event to mark the end of the restoration of the church buildings.

He told the Kirk Session: "Your team have achieved so much with the restoration of the Kirk, and I’m sure the building will soon come to life in its new role – this is the way for all churches to go!

"Clearly, many people have made this possible and there was a great feeling of community spirit in the hall. The booklet, prepared by the local Hertitae Group is a mine of useful local information - I must now find out if the Goodall coal masters were any relations of my own ancestors!"

He added: "I am giving a talk in Inverkeithing on ‘Caledonian caminos’ with particular reference to the Fife Pilgrim Way project, and will use some photos I took on Saturday to show my audience what one local community can do!

"I mentioned that we are holding this year’s Pilgrimage Gathering at Markinch on September. If Auchterderran Kirk becomes a member of SPRF, you can send up to three reps at the special rate and publicise your project more widely".