The old Harbour Offices and Customs House at Pittenweem
After the mountains and glens the coast called……so off to explore the ‘East Neuk of Fife’. The Neuk is the length of coast on the northern shores of the Firth of Forth as it enters the North Sea. There is no better place to start ones exploration than at the ancient fishing port of Pittenweem. It is still a working port with a Fish Market and auction of the days catch, whilst still of importance it is far less hectic than in the heyday’s of the 1800’s and much of the 1900’s . Many of the Scottish fishing ports have not faired so well. Pitteweems harbour is well protected and provides a safe haven and anchorage…….
Today you can judge the Pittenweem’s past economic fortunes by the variety and quality of its architecture…sturdy and in many cases multifunctional, a work place and home…..
Just a few miles northwards and we came to Anstruthers. A town and harbour of much greater size and perhaps today a more prosperous town than its smaller neighbour. But not I think from its traditional industry of fishing. Anstruthers now offers safe berths as a Marina for private vessels and yachts and offering a different but equally attractive prospect……
There are still some working boats and the harbour wall is still littered with crab and lobster creels to underline the fact that there is still a fishing community at its heart….
But just like fishermen have done for generations we kept a weather eye open on the horizon for the expected change in the weather and by mid afternoon the pending rain clouds and a wet front could be seen heading towards us across the Firth of Forth from our perfect observation post at Anstruthers Harbour Light…….
P.S.
We still had time for an Ice Cream…..yippee……..
23rd May
© David Oakes 2014
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 