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If visiting Pittenweem for the first time, don’t miss the hidden treasures here and around the East Neuk. Enjoy our insider guide to how to spend time here!Pittenweem is a bustling fishing village known for its vibrant fish market that operates daily as the fishing boats return with their fresh catch. The harbour area is a picturesque scene with colourful boats, fishermen unloading their hauls, and the salty sea air adding to the lively atmosphere. Pittenweem might be small, but it is among the most active harbour villages along the East Neuk of Fife coastline. It’s bustling with fishing boats landing crab, langoustine and lobster. Visitors can witness the traditional fish market in action, offering a glimpse into the local fishing industry and providing an authentic experience of coastal life in Pittenweem.

The village of Pittenweem in Fife derives its name from a blend of Pictish and Scottish Gaelic. It translates as ‘Place of the Caves’.

Pittenweem harbour is a picturesque fishing spot that has been an important part of the town’s history. Sir John Anstruther expanded the harbour, ensuring his ships had priority over other traffic. This bustling fishing fleet area is linked to saltpans and coal mines through a wagonway. The harbour of Pittenweem is not just a scenic spot but also holds historical significance in the town’s development.

Pittenweem is home to the St Fillan Cave. Visitors can still visit the sacred spot where the 7th-century saint is said to have lived during his time in Fife.

Legend has it that the missionary hid away here around 1400 years ago as he tried to convert the local Picts to Christianity. In the gloom of the cave, God helped St. Fillan by shining a light on his left arm as he wrote with his right.

Pittenweem Priory is built over the cave. It is linked to the larger Benedictine Priory on the beautiful Isle of May, just across the water. Since then, the cave has been used for numerous purposes – as a store for smugglers and as a prison for witches during the witch hunts of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Visitors can borrow the key to this historical site from the local artisan hot chocolate shop, The Pittenweem Chocolate Company and Cocoa Tree Cafe. The cave is set into the natural sandstone rock behind a small metal gate on Cove Wynd. The key can be borrowed for £1.

 

Visitors can enjoy picturesque walks along the Fife coastal pathway, explore historical sites like the windmill and salt pans in St Monans, and indulge in delicious seafood at local restaurants. Pittenweem is an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions like the Isle of May and St Andrews, making it a must-visit destination in Scotland.

The village attracts visitors for its scenic beauty and annual arts festival that draws art enthusiasts from across Britain. Pittenweem Art Festival is an annual event that draws thousands of visitors to the East Neuk of Fife in Scotland. The festival showcases a diverse collection of artworks throughout the village, utilizing unconventional spaces like shops, cafes, sheds, and homes instead of a traditional gallery setting.

 

Beyond the caves, some gourmet faves

Besides Pittenweem’s harbour and St Fillan’s cave, many highlights are tucked away among the cobbled streets. They are all too easy to miss, but they are well worth stopping during your East Neuk stay.

Seek out The Dory Bistro and Gallery in Pittenweem for a delicious lunch using the freshest seafood. It’s often landed less than 40 metres from their front door in the harbour. They also make the most of meat from local Fife estates to create wild game dishes alongside seasonal vegetarian options.

The walls of the restaurant and adjoining gallery are decorated with paintings of local villages, coastal prints, and ceramics, which are available for viewing and sale.

 

 

The Fife Coastal Path handily takes you past the door of Nicholson’s Sweets & Ice Cream Shop in Pittenweem. Even if you are sightseeing Fife by car, this is another good spot to find along the shorefront and stock up on sweeties for the journey. They stock local gelato heroes ‘Janettas’ ice cream, fudge, tablets and postcards to send home.

The Dory Bistro and Gallery

The Fife Coastal Path handily takes you past the door of Nicholson’s Sweets & Ice Cream Shop in Pittenweem. Even if you are sightseeing Fife by car, this is another good spot to find along the shorefront and stock up on sweeties for the journey. They stock local gelato heroes ‘Janettas’ ice cream, fudge, tablets and postcards to send home.

 

 

Nicholson’s Sweets & Ice Cream Shop

If you visit Pittenweem in August, the Pittenweem Arts Festival, which runs from 6 to 13 August, is a major event on the East Neuk Calendar.

Some 20,000 people come every year to see the art on display. They take part in workshops and events across the week and beyond. Well, over a hundred artists display their work around the winding streets, mainly in houses but also in garages and halls – anywhere that can hang a piece of artwork! The atmosphere around Pittenweem is buzzing, and artists will never be far away to speak to you about their work.

Check out our other guides to the East Neuk.

Visit Pittenweem and the many other charming villages that line the beautiful coastline of the East Neuk of Fife. Our other local area guides are here.

While there are no hotels in Pittenweem, visitors can still find excellent places to stay for a few nights. Premier Stays Fife offers a diverse portfolio of self-catering accommodations in Pittenweem, allowing visitors to truly immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquillity of this picturesque village.

When will the Pittenweem Arts Festival take place?

The Pittenweem Arts Festival is a vibrant event from the 6th to the 13th of August every year.