[2][3] The Tiel Burn flows a few hundred yards south of the kirk and village, which was formerly known as Milton of Auchtertool.

The kirk, 1 km to the west of the village, pre-dates the Reformation but was largely reconstructed in 1833 as a plain box chapel.

The graveyard contains 17th century table stones; one commemorates David Martin, minister of Auchtertool who died in 1636.

King James V visited the castle after his defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss in late November 1542.

At the time of the Jacobite rising of 1715 the rebel John Erskine, Earl of Mar was in Perth when he heard that a loyalist ship loaded with arms had dropped anchor at Burntisland.

[8] Tradition maintains that a funeral attended by the writer Walter Scott was held at the kirk and solemnised according to the Roman Catholic rite.

From 1650, the village had a brewery, gaining a reputation for the quality of its ale, porter and table beer, not only throughout Fife but shipping as far as London.

From 1845 the brewery was converted to a malt whisky distillery, commencing operation in 1851, and maintaining its reputation for a quality product.