Club member Tony Lodge spoke of Pittenweem and Anstruther Wester as it was 500 years ago. This proved to be another fascinating and illuminating insight, gleaned from the historical research that Tony is conducting.

We heard that Pittenweem Priory owned the two towns and, around the 1530’s, of the corrupt Prior who started to sell land off for personal gain - with each piece sold having its own charter.

The talk was illustrated with images from old maps, some of which led to the conclusion that parts that had existed, became inundated by the encroaching sea. The area around ‘Kilgreen’ being one such. Tony suggested that in this name could perhaps be found a reference to a ‘kiln’ - possibly associated with the burning of seaweed for potash.

Interesting too to learn that the well known St Fillan’s Cave is a relatively recent name. It would in earlier times have been known as the cave of Mary Magdalene. There remains a ‘Marygate’ as a lasting memory of that. There had also been a fair associated with a Mary Magdalene Day.

Tony is convinced of the importance of the area as an international trading centre. This view being perhaps supported by based on the unusual ‘Lombard Street’ that exists. There is no other such naming in Scotland and it suggests links to Italy and the banking family.

Once again a fascinating insight to days now long gone. Following questions a vote of thanks was proposed by Malcolm McDonald.