Visit St. Fillian's Cave, Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland

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St Fillan's Cave in has long been associated with Fillan, situated in Cove Wynd, Pittenweem. The cave has flat rocks that are presumed to have been used as beds and a small spring of "holy water" at its rear and a well. Pilgrims conversed with hermits (and possibly Fillan himself) inhabiting the cave on their way to nearby St Andrews. It was also used by smugglers for some time, and as a store room for local fisherfolk (Pittenweem has been a fishing village since the time of early Christian settlement and later a harbour was constructed). It served as a prison during the witch hunts of the 17-18th centuries and was used as a rubbish tip which probably resulted in its disappearance for some time. The cave was rediscovered about 1900 when a horse ploughing in the Priory garden fell down a hole into it. It was rededicated as a place of worship by the Bishop of St. Andrews in 1935. It has since been refurbished and opened to visitors as of October 2000, and is owned by the Bishop Low Trust. It is entrusted to St John's Scottish Episcopal Church in Pittenweem, and is open to the public.

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