Like many others the Church of Scotland is being hit by the escalating cost of maintaining its buildings and it is thought that one or more of the churches — the Howe of Fife in Kingskettle, Ladybank, Collessie and Cults in Pitlessie — may be closed.

Ladybank has been out of commission since September due to dry rot, while the tower of the Kingskettle building is in need of repair.

However, speculation that the Presbytery of St Andrews had made a recommendation on what it was going to do, was scotched this week by the parish's interim minister the Rev. Gordon McCracken.

He told the Fife Herald that the process was still months away from a final decision being reached.

Rev. McCracken did say, however, that a small group had been set up to look into seeing if enough funding was there to appoint an architect to conduct a survey into how much work needed done.

It would only be after this assessment was made that the Kirk Session and Congregational Board would look at the options available to them and then try to come to a decision on the best way forward.

While there is nothing wrong with the Collessie or Cults buildings, Rev. McCracken said it was unlikely that the Howe of Fife church would close in favour of either of these two buildings.

"The population is greatest around the Howe of Fife church which is the centre of worship, so it wouldn't make sense to close it and just have the other two, which are more remote, " he said.

Once an architect is appointed it could be quite a few weeks before the necessary information can be gleaned on the extend and cost of repairs.

"We will then have to decide, he said, if tthe money can be raised for the necessary funds for work, he said.

"There will be some very tough decisions to be made."