Wemyss Caves
Cave In Kirkcaldy, Scotland
Nine prehistoric caves containing Pictish carvings and Dovecots in East Wemyss, Kirkcaldy.
The Wemyss Caves, are six caves hidden in the sandstone cliffs, along the coast at East Wemyss in Fife, Scotland.
They are located on the north shore of the Firth of Forth and were produced thousands of years ago by the actions of the sea tides.
The furthest of the caves is Jonathan's Cave. This is the cave that contains the largest collection of Pictish carvings that were made 1,500 years ago.
Unfortunately, I was unable to crouch down low enough to enter the cave to view the carvings.
The inscriptions include over 50 symbols, including animal figures and that of an early medieval boat.
There are also several crosses, which were carved by the first Christian missionaries who visited the area.
There were originally eleven caves, however, The Glassworks Cave and the Michael Cave, that were situated on the west side of the village no longer exist.
There are six remaining caves including, the Court Cave, Doo Cave, Well Cave, Jonathan's Cave, Sliding Cave and Gas Works Cave.
I'm always eager to find a new Doocot/Dovecote, but the Doo Cave is something special and the most easily accessed. I can't imagine it would have been so clean when in full use.
The Court Cave also contains pictish carvings. It had several uses including a medieval court and later for illegal gambling.
As I am a big fan of the author Val McDermid, I was delighted to find out that the caves featured in her novel 'A Darker Domain'.
We visited during one of the COVID lockdowns, therefore we were unable to pay a visit to the Wemyss Cave Visitors Centre/Museum.
The visitors centre offers a guided tour which lasts approximately an hour and a half. It is about a mile long and the terrain requires sturdy footwear. The tours are free but a voluntary contribution would be gratefully received. If you are interested, please contact them directly via their website below.
The Wemyss Caves can be visited on their own or with MacDuff Castle on our East Wemyss Walk.
It is just under 1km from the car park to the furthest Cave which is Jonathan's Cave.
Follow the above route, or find on OS Maps.
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Contributed by Lorraine London
I have been a keen hill walker for many years and more recently enjoy trig bagging. When I'm not exploring Northumberland, County Durham and Yorkshire, I spend most of my holidays in bonny Scotland. Other than hills, I love investigating ruinous buildings and waterfalls. I have been a member of NT and EH for years, which also gives me access to Historic Environment Scotland places.
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Ravenscraig Castle
Castle Kirkcaldy ScotlandThe remains of one of the first artillery defence castles, overlooking the Firth of Fourth near Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.
MacDuff Castle
Castle Kirkcaldy ScotlandA beautifully positioned ruinous sandstone castle, overlooking the Firth of Fourth in East Wemyss, near Kirkaldy in Scotland.
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