Pittenweem

Pittenweem is the main fishing centre of the East Neuk, a fact celebrated at the annual East Neuk Fish Festival held every August. Fishing boats jostle for position in its busy harbour which is a lively vibrant place at any time of day. The town has a long history, dating back to the 7th century, which is very much connected to the sea. The harbour is a magnet for visitors - photographers can take their pick between the brightly-hulled fishing boats or the jumble of red painted or grey slated houses. However a walk around the town's winding streets will reveal many more treasures.

Pittenweem's High Street exudes character. Here you can find a baker's shop, butchers, convenience store and other local traders serving the community and tourists alike. There is also a handful of Art galleries used to promote local art.

Parts of Pittenweem Parish Church date back to the 14th Century and originally formed part of the priory church of Pittenweem Priory. This grew out of a community founded by Augustinian monks who came here from the Isle of May in the 13th Century. The rest of the priory was eventually incorporated into the fabric of Pittenweem as it developed, and the site of the refectory was used in 1821 for the town hall, since converted to a house.

The village name means ‘place of the cave’, referring to St Fillan's cave in Cove Wynd, which was used as a chapel by the by St Fillan from the 7th Century. It was said that he managed to pray and write in the secluded gloom of the cave by means of a light which glowed from his left arm as he wrote with his right. Visitors can request the key for the cave from the Gingerbread Horse Café on the High Street (usually open 10am to 5pm).

Pittenweem is only a stones throw away from the surrounding villages of Anstruther, St Monans, Elie, Crail and only a 15-20 minute drive away from St Andrews, the home of golf. For this reason there is always a plentiful supply of activities for tourists to get involved in.