Culross was created a Burgh of Barony for the Abbott of Culross in 1490
and was made a Royal Burgh by King James VI in 1592.
The arms are based on the device on the Burgh seal and show St Servanus
or Serf standing in prayer in front of the Abbey of Culross founded by Malcolm,
Earl of Fife, in 1217.
St Serf is said
to have sheltered The new, Princess of Lothian and mother of St Kentigern or
Mungo, at Culross, and to have been baptised and educated St Kentigern there,
before the latter went on to the West to become the great missionary to the
Clyde Valley and the founder of Glasgow Cathedral.
The three birds on the roof are traditionally associated with
the Abbey and St Serf, and this appears to be the reason why they are not specially
mentioned in the blazon.
The Burgh Index
