Pittenweem Parish Church and Tolbooth Steeple

Hello Hello Hivians.

The East Neuk of Fife in Scotland is a hidden gem and somewhere close to my heart as it is where my grandparents lived.

Today we see two churches in close vicinity!

Welcome to Pittenweem

The High Street on Pittenween is headed by a gorgeous wee church.

Pittenweem Parish Church

It's a Church of Scotland parish church that is notable for being built on the site of the former Pittenweem Priory, and for being directly attached to the town's old Tolbooth Steeple.

Not only that, but I used to go there with my grandma when I was visiting from school.

The High Street looking down from the Tolbooth Steeple!

The church is joined to the imposing Tolbooth Steeple. The Tolbooth was originally a separate municipal building and was built in 1588.

It was the council chambers and also the old gaol for the Royal Burgh. Yes Pittenweem was a Royal Burgh and was gnated the status in in 1541 by a charter from King James V of Scotland.

But .... and I don't fluffing know why ... but it the status of "Royal Burgh" was legally abolished in 1975 under the local government reorganisation...

Fluffing killjoys!!

The tower and the church are now an integrated complex and a Category A listed building. The Tolbooth's distinctive spire was added in 1630.

The current church stands on the site of the priory church of the Augustinian Pittenweem Priory.

Unfortunately when we there the church was locked. Perhaps the minister was out doing his rounds.

I know when my grandfather was dying, quite often the minister would come out to the house and say hello and offer comfort to us all.

Georgina and Thomas Miller .. Two wee tots both died on the same day 4th February 1835...

You wonder if it was an accident or disease like Scarlet Fever.

Can you spy the second church in the distance? It is smaller that the Parish church with the steeple.

Graveyards fascinate me, and it was interesting seeing the local families. I recognised some of the family names.

St John's Episcopal Church

The church was built in 1805 by Reverend David Low. He was later elected Bishop of Ross and Argyll, and St John's Chapel technically became his cathedral.

Another influential family the Hughes

It was a gorgeous day and the graveyard and churches did not disappoint.

Picture time .... I love how the white clouds come out from the light and want to engulf you !!!

So let's see it in monochrome.

Hughes again

This gives you more of a clue why they were influential. This part of Fife was all about fishing and it shows James Hughes was a fisherman.

The harbour today still has some fishing boats.

Although they are more creel boats for crabs and lobsters than actual fish. Sad and a sign of the times I guess.

This one made me think of Father Brown...

Father Brown the bespectacled umbrella wielding cyclist of a detective! That was a fun show.

PETER BOWMAN (JAPPY)
I wonder why he was JAPPY?
Any ideas?

I was always fascinated as a child why some graves never had a headstone but a full bodystone!
Was it to shield them from the sun I wondered...

We leave with the steeple in all its glory! I wonder how many people were gaoled in there over the years!

Thanks so much for popping in and hope you enjoyed our wee stroll through West Braes and down to the beach at Pittenweem on the Fife Coastal Trail.

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