Leslie residents will soon be getting a glimpse into their local heritage, after councillors agreed to support a community project which will hopefully unveil some of the village’s ancient history.

Leslie Heritage Trust have today been awarded £8,400 from the Common Good fund to help them organise an archaeological excavation at Christ Kirk on the Green, Leslie. Research shows that this appears to have been the site of an ancient wooden church and it is hoped that the community dig could confirm this.

Cllr Craig Walker, Convenor of the Glenrothes Area Committee, explained why projects like this are important to our communities. He said: “The Leslie Heritage Group was formed in response to feedback from the local community which showed residents had a strong sense of local heritage, and an interest in understanding more about local heritage.

“The money we have agreed to give today will allow for an archaeological excavation at the site and should give the whole community a chance to glimpse into Leslie’s past.

“The project has been supported by Fife Council’s archaeologist and the local Community Learning and Development team as well as St Andrews University. I wish the group every success with their dig and look forward to getting a little insight into Leslie’s past when the dig begins in September.

“Leslie Heritage Group, with the support of Community Learning and Development, want to make sure that the whole community have a chance to observe, participate, celebrate, and capitalise on this event. The works will be undertaken by the Rock Heritage Group, an accredited service provider, who will conduct archaeological excavations and analysis to establish the historical position of this settlement, with possible links to a wooden church and Celtic Saint."

The works will begin in September 2024 and will take place over four weeks. Once the excavations have been completed the site will be returned to its original state. A series of monthly talks have been taking place since February at Leslie Masonic Lodge, and a photographic exhibition will be hosted at Leslie Library covering the archaeological exploration and its findings.