Balmerino

Balmerino (Scottish Gaelic:Baile Meireanach meaning "Foolish Farm" or Scottish Gaelic:Baile Marruineach meaning "Dairy Farm") is a small village and former monastic centre in Fife, Scotland. It is the home of Balmerino Abbey and the former abbots of Balmerino who were great regional landlords. It became a secular lordship (see Lord Balmerino) at the beginning of the 17th century and fell into ruin. The Abbey ruins and grounds are managed by the National Trust for Scotland and are famed for the ancient sweet chestnut tree and the display of aconites which flower in February. The village is now an official Conservation Area.