Pittenweem Priory

Pittenweem Priory is the name of an Augustinian priory located in the village of Pittenweem, Fife, Scotland. It was originally a Benedictine community founded from Reading Abbey in England and based on the Isle of May. It had been relocated to Pittenweem by 1318, and placed under the control of the Augustinian canons regular of St Andrews Cathedral Priory.
In the Middle Ages, Pittenweem Priory was a small Augustinian monastery linked to that on the Isle of May and built over the ancient sacred cave associated with Saint Fillan. The cave, recently fitted out as a chapel, is situated in Cove Wynd and is open to the public with the key available locally from the Cocoa Tree Cafe. From this rough dwelling Fillan is said to have converted the local Pictish population. The cave was re-discovered around 1900 when a horse ploughing in the priory garden fell down a hole into it. The cave has flat rocks that are presumed to be 'beds' and a small spring of \"holy water\" at the rear. St Fillan's Cave was also used as prison for witches during the witch hunts of the 17th-18th centuries.
A shrine was dedicated to Saint Adrian of May on that island.

Tags: Convent & Monastery