The historic Parish Church at Burntisland was host to the Scottish Assembly in 1601, and it was here that King James VI proposed a new translation of the bible.

Around 83 AD the Romans, under Agricola, founded a naval base at Burntisland. The town became an important port and this continued for many centuries. During the 1980's a ferry service operated between Burntisland and Leith, offering commuters and tourists alternative means of travelling to Edinburgh.

Rossend Castle, dating from 1554, lay in ruins for many years until it was converted into offices for a firm of architects. In 1563, Mary Queen of Scots was residing at the castle when Chastelard secreted himself in her bedroom and made an amorous approach at her - he was later beheaded for his indiscretion at St Andrews!