| St Monans | |
St Monans (west end of harbour) |
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St Monans
St Monans shown within Fife |
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| Population | 1,340 (2006 estimate) |
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| OS grid reference | NO524017 |
| Council area | Fife |
| Lieutenancy area | Fife |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Anstruther |
| Postcode district | KY10 |
| Dialling code | 01333 |
| Police | Fife |
| Fire | Fife |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | North East Fife |
| Scottish Parliament | North East Fife |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
St Monans (often spelt St Monance) (; locally [1]) is a village in the East Neuk of Fife and is named after the legendary Saint Monan. Situated approximately 3 miles west of Anstruther, this small picturesque community, whose inhabitants formerly made their living mainly from fishing, is now both a tourist destination situated on the Fife Coastal Path, and a close knit community with much vitality and vibrancy. The former burgh rests on a hill overlooking the Firth of Forth, with views to North Berwick, the Bass Rock and the Isle of May. St Monans contains many historical buildings, most notably the now defunct windmill (which can be visited) that once powered a salt panning industry, and a 14th century church that sits on the rocks above the water on the western side. Approximately ½ mile west of St Monans are the remains of the once great Newark Castle, a 16th century manor that has since fallen to ruin through cliff erosion and disrepair. In 2002, with the permission of Historic Scotland, an unsuccessful attempt to restore the castle was made.
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St Monans Church is situated within its kirkyard just to the west of the village on the very edge of the sea. It has a very dramatic setting, perched on a low rock, reached over a small valley with a burn. As seen from most directions it has the sea as a backdrop. A more modern cemetery stands further westwards on the upper slopes of the little hill. This contains the local war memorial. Standing at the extreme west end of this a romantic ruin can be viewed across fields, again perched on the sea edge.
It is often said that St Monans is the church nearest the sea in the whole of Scotland, and this may well be the case, being only around 20m from the edge. The church, one of the finest remaining from the Middle Ages in Scotland, was built by King David II Bruce (1329-71), initially for a small house of Dominican friars. It later became the Church of Scotland parish church. Though the church may never have been finished (it has a choir and transepts, with a short spire over the crossing, but lacks a nave), it has many features of architectural interest, notably the fine stone vaulting in the choir and the plain but handsome sedilia. White-washed throughout internally, the church is particularly light and attractive among ancient Scottish churches.
Major restoration to the windows and masonry was completed in March 2007. The church is open to visitors daily from April - October.[2]
St Monans Parish Church is linked with Largoward Parish Church. The current minister of both parish churches is the Revd Dr Donald MacEwan.
St Monans Parish Church also runs a youth club, named 'Xplore', where children from years Primary 6 - Senior 2 enjoy music, drama, discussion and food, and any from S3 upwards who have attended the previous year are allowed as junior leaders.
The Hall was built in 1970 and is a modern building, harled with a slate roof, situated in a raised location facing broadly west over Hope Park on the northern edge of St. Monans. Prior to its construction, it was not uncommon for fishermen from St Monans to cycle to St Andrews to attend meetings at the Gospel Hall there. The current gospel preachers for St Monans Gospel Hall are Dr. Bert Cargill and Mr. Phillip Hughes. Gospel meetings are held at 6.00 p.m. every Sunday.
St Monans has a number of shops and businesses, including fish merchants and a fish-smokehouse. St Monans Mini Market, run by mother and daughter partnership, Mary Downes and Lee Taylor provides for all grocery needs. Bed and Breakfast is available at Grannies-Harbour Guest House on the Mid-Shore, run by Ann West. There are several pubs, restaurants and cafes in the village. There is also a caravan park which attracts many visitors, largely from the west of Scotland, a tradition that has continued from the days of the railway line.
In the industrial estate at the entrance to St Monans are the remains of the old railway station, a relic of the old East Neuk Rail Line that was shut down in the 1960s after the Beeching cuts. All that remains is the south platform which is overgrown with grass. However nearby is the station master's house, now a private residence, which stands out from the newer buildings surrounding it.
The village takes its name from St Monance who was killed by invading Danes in about 875. St Adrian was killed on the Isle of May in the same raid and all told 6,000 Fife Christians are said to have died.[3][4]
Like other small 'East Neuk' towns, St Monans is rich in vernacular fisher and merchant houses of the 17th to early 19th centuries, with characteristic old Scots features, e.g. forestairs, crow-stepped gables, datestones, pantiled roofs etc. The tradition of ship-building has now ceased. For over 200 years the boat builder J W Miller & Sons Ltd produced fifie fishing boats, yachts and motor launches in the village.
The author Christopher Rush grew up in the village. His autobiography "Hellfire and Herrings" describes the community as seen by a small boy in the 1940s, 1950s and earlier, and as recounted by his grandfather and other relatives.