Pittenweem

The name derives from Pictish and Scottish Gaelic. "Pit-" represents Pictish pett 'place, portion of land', and "-enweem" is Gaelic na h-Uaimh, 'of the Caves' in Gaelic, so "The Place of the Caves", named after St Fillan's cave.{{cite web |title=St Fillan's Cave |url=https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst23.html |website=Gazetteer for Scotland |access-date=30 March 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.welcometofife.com/view-business/st-fillans-cave|title=St Fillans Cave|website=Welcome to Fife|access-date=30 March 2023}} The name is rendered Baile na h-Uaimh in modern Gaelic, with baile, 'town, settlement', substituted for the Pictish prefix.

The settlement has existed as a fishing village since early medieval times. The oldest structure, St. Fillan's Cave, dates from the 7th century. An Augustinian priory moved here from the Isle of May in the 13th century, but there was already a church at that time. Pittenweem Parish Church (which is attached to the local tolbooth) has a Norman doorway dating to before 1200. The gatehouse to the east is 15th century. The priory dormitory and refectory was remodelled post-Reformation (1588) to give a new function as a manse. This building was later named the "Great House".Buildings of Scotland: Fife by John Gifford

Until 1975 Pittenweem was a royal burgh, having been awarded the status by King James V (1513–42) in 1541.{{cite web|url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10361527|title=Pittenweem Burgh|publisher=Vision of Britain|access-date=12 August 2022}}

Founded as a fishing village around a probably early Christian religious settlement, it grew along the shoreline from the west where the sheltered beaches were safe places for fishermen to draw their boats up out of the water. Later a breakwater was built, extending out from one of the rocky skerries that jut out south-west into the Firth of Forth like fingers. This allowed boats to rest at anchor rather than being beached, enabling larger vessels to use the port. A new breakwater further to the east was developed over the years into a deep, safe harbour.{{cite web|url=https://codheadbob.tripod.com/topmarks/id11.html|title=Pittenweem Breakwater|publisher=Codhead Bob| access-date=12 August 2022}}

File:Cove Wynd, Pittenweem. - geograph.org.uk - 624644.jpg

In 1779 John Paul Jones (founder of the American Navy) anchored half-a-mile off Pittenweem in the USS Bonhomme Richard.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6zdDwAAQBAJ&dq=John+Paul+Jones+Pittenweem&pg=PA448|title=A Pedlar's Pack of Ballads and Songs|first=W. H. |last=Logan|year=2020|page=448|publisher=Salzwasser-Verlag GmbH|isbn=978-3846050095}}

There is a baronial Lordship of Pittenweem in the Baronage of Scotland created by James VI for Frederick Stewart in 1609. It was held by the Earls of Kellie until it passed to Sir John Anstruther and then to the Bairds of Elie. The current Lord is Claes Zangenberg.{{Cite web |last=Morrow |first=Joseph |date=18 January 2016 |title=full-grant.jpg |url=http://baronyofpittenweem.com/reference/stories/full-grant.jpg |website=Barony of Pittenweem}}

Pittenweem is currently the most active of the fishing ports in the East Neuk coast of Fife.{{Cite web|url=http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/pittenweem/pittenweem/index.html|title=Pittenweem|date=2016|website=Undiscovered Scotland|access-date=2016-08-13}} In the 18th century, Pittenweem had a series of coal mines on the coast between Pittenweem and St Monans.{{cite web|url=http://www.tafac.org.uk/saltpt4.pdf|title=The 18th century industrial landscape between St Monans and Pittenweem: a cartographic and archaeological study|first=Colin|last=Martin|publisher=Tayside and Fife Archaeological Committee|access-date=12 August 2022}}

At one time the village was served by the Fife Coast Railway.{{canmore|num=34251|desc=Pittenweem, Charles Street, Station|access-date=12 August 2022}}

The village sits astride a raised beach.{{cite web|url=https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/schools/school-of-earth-and-environmental-sciences/documents/geoheritage-leaflets/st-monans-geological-trail.pdf|title=St Monan's Geological Trail|publisher=University of St Andrews|access-date=12 August 2022}}

File:Pittenweem Primary School - geograph.org.uk - 552556.jpg

Pittenweem Primary School is a traditional village school with its own playing fields on the northern side of the older part of the village. It caters for children aged 4/5 to 11/12. Secondary education (up to ages 16, 17 or 18 depending on educational ambitions) is provided at Waid Academy in the neighbouring town of Anstruther. The nearest private educational institution is St Leonards School in St Andrews, or the High School of Dundee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC011522|title = Corporation of The High School of Dundee, SC011522|publisher=Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator |access-date=12 August 2022}}

File:Entrance to St Fillan's cave, Pittenweem - geograph.org.uk - 724668.jpg

File:Pittenweem Parish Church and Tolbooth.JPG]]

In the Middle Ages, Pittenweem Priory was a small Augustinian monastery linked to that on the Isle of May and built over the ancient sacred cave associated with St Fillan. The cave, which is fitted out as a chapel, was rededicated as a place of worship by the Bishop of St. Andrews in 1935.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/whereilive/coast/stages.shtml?walk=centralandfife&stage=5 |title=St Fillan's Cave |publisher=BBC "Central and Fife"|access-date=12 August 2022}}Sharp, Mick, The Way and the Light, Aurum Press Ltd, 2000. {{ISBN|1-85410-722-4}}

Current denominations with churches include: Church of Scotland, Catholic, Episcopalian and Baptist. Other denominations have had churches or the equivalent, but these have been converted to other purposes. The Parish Church Hall, for example, was once "Pittenweem St. Fillan's".{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/4709/name/Pittenweem+St.+Fillan%27s+%28now+Parish+Church+Hall%29+Pittenweem+Fife|title=Pittenweem St. Fillan's (now Parish Church Hall)|publisher=Scottish Churches|access-date=12 August 2022}}

The late 17th to early 18th centuries saw a number of notorious witch-hunts by the local minister. Pittenweem Tolbooth was used as the jail for some of the Pittenweem witches. Five women were severely beaten and one was murdered by a lynch mob.{{citation |first=Annette |last=Harrower-Grey |magazine=Scotland Magazine |title=Walking with witches |date=April 2009 |issue=44 |page=68 |url=http://www.scotlandmag.com/magazine/issue44/12009236.html |access-date=24 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202110238/http://www.scotlandmag.com/magazine/issue44/12009236.html |archive-date=2 February 2017 |url-status=live }}

File:Artists gallery, Pittenweem.jpg

In the late 1960s the local fishermen celebrated the re-opening of the re-designed harbour with a Gala Day, when the boats were dressed overall and people could take short trips on the boats. By the early 1980s, however, increasing regulation, higher fuel costs and a shrinking fleet were bringing this event to its knees. In its place in 1982 sprang up an Arts Festival,{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/235474/art-festival-will-draw-thousands-to-east-neuk-of-fife/|title=Pittenweem art festival will draw thousands to East Neuk of Fife|last=Peebles|first=Cheryl|date=2016-08-05|website=The Courier|language=en-UK|access-date=2016-08-13}} which initially incorporated the Gala Day as its finale. The Arts Festival has moved on somewhat, however, becoming one of the best-loved art festivals in Scotland with an estimated 25,000 visitors in 2013.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/fife/71848/thousands-expected-at-pittenween-arts-festival/|title=Thousands expected at Pittenween Arts Festival|last=Peebles|first=Cheryl|date=2013-07-31|website=The Courier|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-13}} Many artists have re-discovered the charms and the light of the area, which was always popular with itinerant and hobby artists, and have moved to the village, creating a vibrant artistic community.{{Cite web|url=http://www.openhouseart.co.uk/art-trail/pittenweem-arts-festival|title=Art Trail: Pittenweem Arts Festival|date=2016|website=Open House Art|access-date=2016-08-13}}

Pittenweem had the first newspaper in the area, the Pittenweem Register (1844–56).{{cite web|url=https://fifefhs.org/product/the-pittenweem-register-2/|title=The Pittenweem Register – Local News, BMDs 1844-1856|publisher=Fife Family History Society|access-date=12 August 2022}}

There is also a fairly well-known song, "Pittenweem Jo", written in 1960.{{Cite book|title=101 Scottish Songs|publisher=Collins|year=1962|isbn=9780008136611|editor-last=Buchan|editor-first=Norman|pages=88}}

Much of the 1997 film The Winter Guest was filmed in the village.{{cite news |author= |date=20 December 1997 |title=A Winter's Tale |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12284121.a-winters-tale/ |work=Herald Scotland |access-date=2 June 2023}}

The local Member of the UK Parliament (representing North East Fife) is Wendy Chamberlain of the Liberal Democrats.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50771171|title=Election 2019: SNP's Stephen Gethins loses to Lib Dems in UK's narrowest marginal|date=13 December 2019|website=BBC News|access-date=29 April 2020|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215052836/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50771171|url-status=live}}

The local (representing Fife North East) Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is Willie Rennie of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.{{cite news|last=Davidson|first=Peter|date=7 May 2021|title=Scottish Election 2021: Willie Rennie retains seat in North East Fife|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-election-2021-willie-rennie-24058927|access-date=11 September 2021|website=Daily Record|language=en|archive-date=11 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911122513/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-election-2021-willie-rennie-24058927|url-status=live}}

From 1885 to 1983, Pittenweem was part of the East Fife Parliamentary constituency, its most famous MP being Prime Minister H. H. Asquith (Liberal) from 1886 to 1918."The General Election", The Times, 9 July 1886, p. 10; and "The Election", The Manchester Guardian, 9 July 1886, p. 8.

The local football team is Pittenweem Rovers AFC. The local rugby team is Waid Academy FPRFC.{{Cite web|url=https://scottishsevens.sport.blog/waid-academy-f-p-sevens/|title=Waid Academy F.P. Sevens|publisher=Scottish Sevens|access-date=12 August 2022}}

Pittenweem is served by two main bus services operated by Stagecoach East Scotland. These are:[https://bustimes.org/localities/pittenweem Bus list]

• 95 from Leven to St Andrews via Anstruther and Crail[https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/East%20Scotland/Fife/ESCOT_Special_Fife_95_395.pdf Bus timetable]
• X60 from Edinburgh to St Andrews via Kirkcaldy, Leven and Anstruther[https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/East%20Scotland/Fife/ESCOT_Special_Fife_X60.pdf Bus timetable]

Passenger railway services from Edinburgh to Leven were restored in 2024; the new station is adjacent the bus station. Formerly, the line, which closed in 1965, continued around the Fife Coast to St Andrews, to which the remaining line from Leuchars closed in 1969.

• John Douglas (1721–1807), Anglican Bishop of Salisbury{{cite ODNB |title=Douglas, John (1721–1807), bishop of Salisbury and writer |url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-7908 |year = 2004|access-date=27 November 2020 |language=en |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/7908}}
• Sir Walter Watson Hughes (1803–1887), public benefactor, founder of the University of Adelaide, South Australia{{Dictionary of Australian Biography|First=Walter Watson|Last=Hughes|shortlink=0-dict-biogHi-Hu.html|accessdate=17 February 2016}}
• Wallace Lindsay (Wallace Martin Lindsay) (1858–1937), classical scholar, Professor of Humanity at St Andrews University, 1899 to 1937{{Cite ODNB|title=The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|date=2004-09-23|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/34547|pages=ref:odnb/34547|editor-last=Matthew|editor-first=H. C. G.|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/34547|access-date=2019-11-09|editor2-last=Harrison|editor2-first=B.}}
• John Smith (1770–1816), clockmaker{{cite web|url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/2918/pedestal-clock|title=Pedestal clock 1780 - 1800: John Smith of Pittenweem|publisher=Royal Trust Collection|access-date=12 August 2022}}
• Frederick Stewart, Lord Pittenweem (1591–1625), local aristocrat{{Cite web |title=Lordship and Barony of Pittenweem |url=http://baronyofpittenweem.com/history.php |website=Lordship & Barony of Pittenweem|access-date=12 August 2022}}
• Ian Stewart (1938–1985), musicianIan Stewart, Scotland on Sunday, 16 April 2004

British power metal band Gloryhammer have a song titled "Vorpal Laserblaster of Pittenweem" on their 2023 album Return to the Kingdom of Fife.

File:Pittenweem Skerries.jpg|West Shore, Pittenweem from the West Braes showing skerries in the foreground, the old harbour in the mid-ground and the new harbour in the background. The Isle of May (or May Island) is on the horizon.

File:Pittenweem1.jpg|West Shore, Pittenweem from the West Braes

File:Pittenweem pool.jpg|Pittenweem swimming pool looking towards St Monans with the Lady's Tower, Elie, in the distance

File:Harbour at Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland.JPG|Pittenweem Harbour

• List of fishing villages
• Moschatel Press

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Category:Villages in Fife

Category:Fishing communities

Category:Fishing communities in Scotland

Category:Parishes in Fife