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Court Cave

East Wemyss, East End, Fife.

Raised Beach Sea Cave, westernmost of seven caves at East Wemyss (collectively known as Wemyss Caves). Court cave reputedly

Two passages joining at about 15 m in. West entrance has steps down about 1 m to main passage. Eastern entrance about 3 m high and 6-8 m wide supported by a brick column. Walls covered in carvings of different dates (mostly modern grafitti) but at least one described as 'bronze age'. Main passage roughly about 4 m wide and 3-4 m high. About 40 m in the passage turns eastward and floor rises to an earth floored platform .

Coastal erosion is a problem but the cave and pathway are currently protected by a seawall of large boulders.

Easy access along footpath 10-15 m eastwards from parking area at Weaver's Court, East Wemyss.

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"A complex cave with multiple entrances, chambers and passages. There are two entrances to the main chamber, a passage that runs off the rear of the main chamber and a separate passage, now blocked. Part of the roof collapsed at the entrance in 1970 and four out of five original brick pillars, erected in 1934, currently support the roof. The roof at the rear of the main chamber has also collapsed and the passage is now blocked by fallen material. The cave is generally dry, although water is entering from the collapse at the rear. Main chamber: dense concentration of carved Pictish symbols; several aumbreys. Small chamber: animal with human figure holding staff; cluster of small cup marks; several aumbreys; cleats; possible joist sockets; evidence of chiselling along walls." [Lelong et al.]

Alternative Names: None recorded.

Notes: No real danger but periodic small rockfalls, littering (fly-tipping) and vandalism meant the cave was sometimes enclosed by temporary fences. In 2022, a new grille replaced the brick wall at the village end and a lockable gate was installed at the other end of the passage funded by grants from Historic Environment Scotland and Fife Environmental Trust. Other gates and grilles will be installed to protect the incised figures.

"There are large cracks in the roof and walls of the cave next to the pillars and the northern entrance has a large crack with an overhang unsupported by the pillars, close to the collapsed portion. The collapse of the roof at the rear is evident as a depression in the top of the cliff above the cave." [Lelong et al.]

Hydrographic Feeds: None

Hydrographic Resurgences: None