Pittenweem

Attractive Centre of Fife's Fishing Industry

Anstruther may be the largest of the fishing villages on Fife's coast but Pittenweem is the last to preserve most of the local people's lifestyle. While the rest of the harbours in East Neuk are used mainly for pleasure craft, Pittenweem harbour is still intensely used for fishing.

Pittenweem has got its own Fish Market just off East Shore. The smell is strong enough for you to see for yourself that it's still very much in use.

St Monans to Pittenweem - Walking Along the Fife Coastal Path

The walk from St Monans to Pittenweem is fairly easy and quite short (just 2 miles). Upon arrival in Pittenweem I had the most bizarre encounter There was a white cat, with one eye blue and the other one yellow staring right at me. The cat seemed to know exactly what I would do and for a second, I actually thought that it was a witch. The town's Tolbooth Tower was built as part of the Parish Church in the 16th century.

Besides council meetings in the floor chambers, the basement was used as town jail. A woman was imprisoned there in early 18th century after being arrested in a witch hunt which resulted in her death. It was one of the last witch persecutions in Scotland. That whitch couldn't have been the white cat I met, could it?.

A Working Fishing Village

As soon as you start walking along Pittenweem's narrow streets and wynds you realise that there is a different feel to it compared to the other fishing villages. People are still fishermen, they go out in the morning and come back in the afternoon with freshly caught fish. The fresh fish shops are quite frequent and the harbour is empty during the day when the boats are out. It is quite large. It's made up of three piers, the first of which is four centuries old.

If you're keen on fish, then Pittenweem is perfect for you. There are fish and chips restaurants around the town but please remember that they open later in the afternoon. Content yourself with some scones and other specialities from the local bakery in the mean time.

Pittenweem Candy Shop
East Neuk's Version of North Queensferry Coffee Shop

Overview of Pittenweem from Coastal Path The half empty harbour at midday Bart Simpson smiling from a Pittenweem window Walking down Cove Wynd to the harbour

The only shop that always seemed to be full is the traditional candy store in the harbour area, on the left side of East Shore. When going in, I was stunned to see tens of jars with different candy assortments Great for kids to take away. The small candy shop is subject to a perfect postcard which, ironically, you can buy inside the store.

The Narrow Wynds - A Maze of Flowers and Colours

" Wake up in the morning, smell the salt sea air, look out to the Isle of May, jump on your boat and go fishing. "

Pittenweem has probably the most narrow wynds in all East Neuk fishing villages. Cove Wynd at least, where you can visit St Fillan's cave is lovely.

The pantiled houses on the left and right, with very low windows and overflowing with flowers create the image of a simple way of life that can't possibly not tickle your senses.

The array of colours is enhanced by the unique shape of every single house. You've got red pantiles, whitewashed or yellow walls, blue and red around the windows and flowers to match.

St Fillan's Cave - A Saint's Retreat

In the Cove Wynd cave St Fillan decided to live while he converted the Picts to Christianity It is said that he had a luminous left arm which allowed him to work in the dark confinements of the cave. Whether that is true or not, the setting of the cave and the outside appearance makes it attractive as a photographic subject.

Pittenweem to Anstruther Walking Distances - Fife Coastal Path for Tourists

• Pittenweem - Anstruther: 2 1/2 miles

Related Information

• More pictures from Pittenweem
• Undiscovered Scotland' Pittenweem

Flavour of Scotland is a Scotland information guide with digital pictures - This page offers information on Pittenweem, Scotland.