MARIUNCH (pop. 1499)  , a police burgh situated between Conland Burn and the Leven, 74 M . N. by E. of Kirkcaldy by the North British railway, is a place of great antiquity . A cell of the Culdees was established hereby one of the last of the Celtic bishops, the site of which may possibly be marked by the ancient cross of Balgonie . Markinch is also believed to have been a residence of the earlier kings, where prior to the 11th century they occasionally administered justice; and in the reign of William the Lion (d . 1214) the warrantors of goods alleged to have been stolen were required to appear here . Its industries comprise bleaching, flax-spinning, paper-making, distilling and coal-mining . Balgonie Castle, close by, the keep of which is 8o ft. high, was a residence of Alexander Leslie, the first earl of Leven, and at Balfour Castle were born Cardinal Beaton and his uncle and nephew the archbishops of Glasgow .