St Fillan's Cave

After wanting to visit St Fillan's Cave for ages, the ideal opportunity came about on a trip to Fife.

The cave would have been at sea level 10,000 year ago and as the waters receded and a river flowed through the cave, this perfectly crafted cavern was created. If you look down to the floor, you can see how the erosion shaped the limestone. There are light switches just inside the cave on the right, you will need them!

The cave was used to store equipment by the local fishermen's but was also a great place for a smuggler to stash their hoard.

The cave is named after St Fillan, a 7th century missionary to the Picts. It is thought that St Fillan could have visited or lived in the cave, but even if that was not true, it was used by pilgrims making their way to St Andrews.

Celtic monks visited the area from Ireland and evidence was found on the Isle of May and the graveyard in St Monan's, that pilgrims also came from Spain and could have lived and died here.

You enter the cave into the first cavern which contains the handrail down to a table with information and a beautiful picture. As you make your way further into the cave, you enter the main cavern where there are steps up to another old cave entrance as well as two further caves at the end of the cavern. Of course I had to have a peek up the old entrance, fortunately it is blocked off, preventing me from getting myself stuck.

From the main cavern, you can see the smaller caves. The one to the right has an alter at the entrance and is larger then the low left hand cave. It is hard to imagine how such a network of caves exist behind the small gate.

The whole cave has a peaceful ambience making it quite a spiritual experience.

The village of Pittenween, meaning 'place of the cave', was created by the monks of the Isle of May Priory, as a way of making rental income. The Isle of May Priory was founded in the 12th century, so Pittenween would have been created around this time. In the 14th century they moved here themselves and by the 16th century the priory was abandoned. All that remains is the 15th century gatehouse and basement of the Priory House.

In 1935, the cave was cleaned and used for worship, then in 2000 it was further refurbished and opened to the public. There are still occasional Christian services held here, so please respect the silence and atmosphere of the cave and remember it is a place of pilgrimage and spiritual significance.

The cave entrance can be found up one of narrow streets named Cove Wynd, which is just up from the harbour. To access the cave you will need to obtain the key from the Cocoa Tree Cafe. Head past the cave entrance to the top of the hill. Turn left and the cafe is on the right hand side. The cave is managed the St John's Scottish Episcopal Church and they charge a small fee of £2 with a £10 deposit which is returned when the key is handed back.

The cave was opened to the public in 2000, after undergoing a major refurbishment. The gate and handrail designed by Miles Auchinleck from neighbouring Crail were added, as well as the beautiful mural to the left of the door which was designed and crafted by pupils of Pittenweem Primary School, using shells and pebbles from the beach.

I hope you get to enjoy a visit as much as I did, and please make sure you turn all the lights off and return the key to the cafe when you leave.