After a meal and business the club heard the story of interesting research into the production of salt in Pittenweem. This was by club member Prof Tony Lodge, who has a particular interest in local history.

The history of salt production at St Monans is well documented, with remains of the salt pans being preserved. In comparison far less in known about Pittenweem - and no significant evidence remains. Tony concluded that the site, which would have been extensive, was washed away in a known heavy storm. One remaining physical scar is on a chart of the area and shown as ‘Pan’s goat’ - a man made channel leading in from the sea and which may have been access for ships taking away the salt cargo.

Tony’s research led him to conclude that salt production was carried on from the 16th to the 18th centuries - much earlier than at St Monans - with 9 pans in use. Each plot would have been around 15 x 9 metres. Seawater was evaporated in lead pans using local coal. We saw samples of clinker collected from the foreshore, which he suggested was slag left from burning low-grade coal from the area around what is now Coal Farm.

We heard that considerable evidence had been found in historical records, Including Pittenweem Priory Charter Book, and showing land ownership and transactions. John Rule, the Prior of Pittenweem was mentioned as being an investor in the pans as was John Wemyss of Lathokar along with a number of other local families. 

Altogether a fascinating insight into an important industry of those times past.