History in Freuchie Online

A chronological history of Freuchie

1350   Fruquhy (ancient spelling) is part of the Barony of Crambreth and belonged to Alexander of Crambreth
1364   Barony of Crambreth granted to Alan de Erskine by David II
c1405  Barony of Crambreth conferred on James de Valance by Robert III. Lands of Freuchie subdivided amongst 12 proprietors by James II. One of the conditions by which they held their ‘portions' was that they should plant ash, willow, alder, aspen, plane, elm and birch trees and sow broom, lint and hemp seed. This was for the nearby Falkland Palace and the royal hunting ground.
1685   Covenanters lodged in an old barn in Parliament Close on their way to the dungeons of Dunottar Castle during the "killing times."
c1715  Rob Roy's ghillies plunder Freuchie and steal a horse from W. Lumsden's stable to carry the ‘ill-gotten gear' to Perth.
1791   476 inhabitants live in Freuchie mainly employed in weaving coarse linen. In many houses the "ben" end was the loom shop. These were distinguished by having two windows on one side of the door. There were 3 alehouses.
1795   Church erected in connection with the associate (Burgher) presbytery of Perth.
1804   New toll road built from New Inn to Melville through Freuchie crossing the Eden at Drumtennant Bridge.
1841   713 inhabitants
1840   Freuchie Corn Mill built
1843    New Statistical Account states of Freuchie: "Narrow, dirty streets cross eachother in every direction, and the primitive, but most odious custom of making dunghills in front of houses, is still maintained. Inhabited principally by feuars engaged in handloom weaving." "There is an excellent subscription school, which confers immense benefit on the village."
1847   The railway between Burntisland and Cupar opens. Stop is at Falkland Road Station (by Forthar Mill Farm.)
1857   Nearly 600 inhabitants, many manufacturing window blinds
1860    William Lumsden and Son erected a powerloom factory containing 100 looms. In addition they employed 320 handloom weavers.
1868   Rev. J.W.Taylor wrote: "A quaint place is Freuchie. Its frequent squares and courts and bullet paved closes and tortuous streets give it a character of its own, These twisting, narrow, tortuous streets represent a time when there were no wheel carriages and all goods were conveyed on packhorses."
1869    New UP church built at a cost of £1555.
1875   Parish Church built at a cost of £1100.
1881   1059 inhabitants
1883   Lumsden Memorial Hall established
1891    913 inhabitants
1908   Freuchie Cricket Club founded
1912   Electric motors installed for looms
1917    One of the three powerloom factories closed
1921    War memorial unveiled by Sir William Anstruther, Lord Lieutenant of the county.
1924    Bowling Green laid down
1925    Eden Valley Works severely damaged by fire after being struck in a thunderstorm. Automatic looms were introduced following the fire.
c1930  Summer brought the event of the year - the Annual Market or fair, which marked the holidays. There was also a flower show.
1946   Freuchie and District Association for Music and Drama formed.
1952   From the Third Statistical Account: 3 grocers, 2 butchers, 2 bakers, 3 drapers, 2 ironmongers. A branch of the Markinch Cooperative Society superseded 2 Smaller societies which traded 70 years ago. Gas supplied from Kettle gasworks. Water supplied by local water company from a spring and storage tanks.
1985    Cricket team win Village Cup at Lords
1991    Population 1050
1995    Village water supply contaminated.
2001    Population 1102
2007   Residential housing replaces Linen Mill/Mushroom Factory site

Extracts of local history from "Freuchie through the Years" by James Scott Marshall. The book is available from the Freuchie Community Council price £4.99 + postage.
Also available is "90 NOT OUT, Freuchie Cricket Club 1908 - 1998, A celebration" by Adrian Grant

The photo of Freuchie Schoolhouse and school is from a selection of old photos on Freuchie Primary school's website.