Out and about.

Where have I been today? Various spots on the East Neuk of Fife with Rachel and Mum.  We discovered the lovely beaches at Elie and Earlsferry, the reason why the Anstruther Fish Bar has won Chippy of the year so often (good and not over priced), the picturesue pottery of Crail and My personal favourite, Pittenweem, with its working harbour and holy cave.

St Fillan's Cave in Pittenweem in Fife, is historically associated with an Irish saint who settled over here by the name of Fillan. The cave contains a spring and a well named in his honour and has a colourful history. 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, 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) and it was used as a rubbish tip which probably resulted in its disappearance for some time. While ploughing in the area, a horse apparently fell down a hole which allowed the cave to be discovered. In 1935 the shrine was emptied of centuries of debris, then re-dedicated. In 2000 the cave was again refurbished and reopened to visitors while, on occasion, the Holy Eucharist continues to be celebrated. The cave is owned by the Bishop Low Trust, is entrusted to St John's Scottish Episcopal Church in Pittenweem; the entrance can be found on Cove Wynd. From there we headed back to Dundee, where we are staying and getting to use a Rectory in return for my helping at the services (Mass with birreta and maniple tonight! And cat sitting!  We took Mum home first though

• 

  St Fillan's Cave showing internal structure and altar.
  
• St Fillan's Cave and the stairwell up to priory grounds.