Caiplie Caves, Anstruther

Caiplie Caves, Anstruther

The Caves of Caiplie, or the Coves as they are known locally, are found about 3 miles to the east of Anstruther. They are natural caves carved in the rock face by sea action, which in places have been artificially enlarged. They have been long associated with two saints, Ethernan and his later medieval incarnation, Adrian. The largest cave, known as the ‘Chapel Cave’, contains a number of incised and pecked crosses, many of which have been identified as dating from the early middle ages. A further cave, known as the ‘Mortuary Cave’ is 6 metres to the north. In 1841 a long cist cemetery was found in front of this cave and it contains a Pictish arch symbol cut into the wall. The exact way in which these caves were used in the early middle ages is unclear, but it is likely that they were occupied by hermits. Other crosses date from the High and Later Middle Ages, indicating that the caves continued to have a sacred purpose, perhaps as a stopping place on the pilgrim routes to the Isle of May, Crail and St Andrews.

sacredlandscapesoffife

tt27@st-andrews.ac.uk

Site

89

15/06/2021

(1) Peter Klemen, Tom Turpie, Louise Turner and Thomas Rees, Historic Kilrenny, Anstruther Wester, Anstruther Easter and Cellardyke. Archaeology and Development (Glenrothes, Scottish Burgh Survey, 2017), p. 19-20. (2) John Stuart, The sculptured stones of Scotland (Aberdeen, 1856), ii, lxxxix-xc. (3) Simon Taylor & Gilbert Markus, The Place-Names of Fife. Volume Three. St Andrews and the East Neuk (Donington, 2009), pp. 323-325 & 39

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current,56.23624296920998,-2.6636981946649034;

Caiplie Caves, Anstruther

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Building

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