Pittenweem

Pittenweem Harbour

Pittenweem is the centre of the fishing industry in Fife. Although white fish was once the prime catch of the fleet, most of todays fishing industry provides langoustine for the restaurants of France and Spain.

It is thought that the name Pittenweem comes from the words meaning 'Pictish' and 'Cave'. Although there are no traces of any Pictish settlement, there is a cave in Pittenweem known as St Fillan's Cave.

The cave is to be found in Cove Wynd and is believed to have been a retreat of St Fillan in the 7th century. The cave has certainly been a place of worship for several centuries and is said to have also been used by smugglers.

At one time a staircase lead from the cave to the Priory gardens above it. However the garden entrance is now sealed.

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Fife Facts
The title of John Buchan's adventure novel 'The 39 Steps' is said to have been inspired by the stairway beside Ravenscraig Castle which leads to the beach. Buchan lived in nearby Dysart as a child.