Did you know
The glowing arm.
Legend says St Fillan could read and write in the dark cave by the light of a glow from his left arm.
Fife
St Fillan’s Cave
The cave in Pittenweem where the missionary St Fillan is said to have lived in the 600s, with a holy well and a stone altar still used for services.
Welcome
Pittenweem takes its name from a cave, and the cave is still there.
Halfway down Cove Wynd, a narrow lane of whitewashed cottages running steeply from the High Street to the harbour, a door in the sandstone cliff opens onto St Fillan's Cave.
St Fillan was an Irish missionary who travelled through Scotland in the 600s, and he is said to have lived here for some years around 640. Legends gathered around him: that he could read and write in the dark cave by a glow from his left arm, and that a wolf which killed his ox was persuaded to take its place and carry stones for his church.
Inside, a rough passage cut in the rock leads to two chambers, with the saint's holy well and a small stone altar, where flowers and little offerings are left and occasional services are still held. The cave is usually locked, but the key can be collected from the Cocoa Tree Cafe on the High Street.
The Daily
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Before you go
The cave is usually locked; the key is kept at the Cocoa Tree Cafe on the High Street, according to Britain Express.
- Where
- Cove Wynd, Pittenweem, KY10 2LE.
- Saint
- St Fillan, about 640.
- Key
- At the Cocoa Tree Cafe.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10am–5pm
- Tuesday
- 10am–5pm
- Wednesday
- 10am–5pm
- Thursday
- 10am–5pm
- Friday
- 10am–5pm
- Saturday
- 10am–5pm
- Sunday
- 10am–5pm
Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.
Add your reviewDid you know
Did you know
Services still held.
The stone altar in the cave is still used for occasional services.
Ben Lerwill
From our guide to Fife
Behind a metal, cross-embossed gate on a footpath in Pittenweem, you’ll find a small cave with an unusual tale. A 7th-century missionary named St Fillan used the rock hollow as a residence of sorts, while attempting to convert the locals to Christianity. According to legend, because he struggled to read and write in such gloomy surrounds, the powers above blessed him with a glowing arm.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Fife, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in FifeWhere it is
On Cove Wynd, the steep lane from the High Street down to the harbour in Pittenweem, KY10 2LE.
Close byPittenweem.
The Dory, PittenweemUnder a mile 1 min by road
Nicholson's Sweets & Ice CreamUnder a mile 1 min by road
PittenweemThe fishing village around it.Under a mile 2 min by road
Pittenweem Chocolate CompanyChocolate on the High Street.Under a mile 3 min by road
The Wee ChippyA family fish and chip restaurant and takeaway on Shore Street in Anstruther, frying fresh Scottish fish in beef dripping since 1999.1 mile as the crow flies
St MonansThe next village along the coast.2 miles 6 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the cave, and when each is next free.
Maybell Cottage- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- Under a mile from St Fillan's Cave
The Old Stable- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- Under a mile from St Fillan's Cave
The Crow’s Nest- Sleeps 4
- In Pittenweem
- Under a mile from St Fillan's Cave
Fifies- Sleeps 2
- In Pittenweem
- Under a mile from St Fillan's Cave
Hidden Scotland, the magazine
Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
Read on
What we have written about it, the collections it is in and more in Fife.
Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .