Along the coast of Fife, in villages like Culross and Pittenweem, historical markers and pamphlets now include the fact that some women were executed as witches within these burghs. Still the reality of what happened the night that Janet Cornfoot was lynched in the harbour is hard to grasp as one sits in the harbour of Pittenweem watching the fishing boats unload their catch and the pleasure boats rising with the tide. How could people do this to an old woman? Why was no-one ever brought to justice? And why would anyone defend such a lynching? The task of the historian is to try to make events in the past come alive and seem less strange. This is particularly true in the case of the historian dealing with the witch-hunt. The details are fascinating. Some of the anecdotes are strange. The modern reader finds it hard to imagine illness being blamed on the malevolence of a beggar woman denied charity. It is difficult to understand the economic failure of a sea voyage being attributed to the village hag, not bad weather. Witch-hunting was related to ideas, values, attitudes and political events. It was a complicated process, involving religious and civil authorities, village tensions and the fears of the elite. The witch-hunt in Scotland also took place at a time when one of the main agendas was the creation of a righteous or godly society. As a result, religious authorities had control over aspects of the lives of the people which seem every bit as strange to us today as might any beliefs about magic or witchcraft. That the witch-hunt in Scotland, and specifically in Fife, should have happened at this time was not accidental. This book tells the story of what occurred over a period of a century and a half, and offers some explanation as to why it occurred. The Witches of Fife: Witch-hunting in a Scottish Shire, 1560-1710
.
Fife, Perthshire and Angus. This series provides an introduction to the archaeological heritage of Scotland, detailing the story of one part of the country. The details are filled in by a gazetteer of the most interesting and best preserved monuments, and aim to encourage the reader to explore further using the full-colour section on day excursions. This volume details skilfully carved Pictish cross-slabs, great abbeys and castles, and the imposing cathedrals of Arbroath and St Andrews, together with the Royal Palace of Falkland. Examples of rural architecture are also documented.Fife, Perthshire and Angus (Exploring Scotland's Heritage) (Exploring Scotland's Heritage)
When I was in St Andrews Market Square last I noticed this graffiti, in a way it says much about the town. Being a University town it's written in chalk, the sentiment is soft and acceptable to all, can be removed and ammended with ease, is an on going communication between youthful besotted and is stressed by the council signage "at any time".
All along the East Coast and North Fife Herring was a major fish catch along with Mackerel. With fish stocks declining worldwide this is no longer the case. Fish is still landed in north fife but the bulk is transported to major centres like Birmingham for sale. In this market can be found an enormous variety of fish speices reflecting the changing ethnic population. I really love to be there as I did as a child, then buying maybe a bag of crabs claws and eating them on the way home on the bus discarding the empty shells on the upper deck floor, (such a delinquent).
When I join my brother in law in the Midlands weather permiting we take to the sky in this wonderful flying machine.In the videos below you will get a taste of what it's like. He has flown several times to North Fife and lands in an adjacent field from where he or we can explore Scotland.
Sir Menzies Campbell resigns as party leader of the Liberal Democrat Party.
Today is Blogger Environment Day. In a way the whole of my Blog is about my local environment, I use a lot of pictorial content (a picture being worth a thousand words) though obviously words are essential, otherwise how would you find me. This picture was taken today of Bramley Cooking apples, the tree is only 6 years old bearing over 100 fruit which can enjoyed as an eating apple if left for a month or so longer on the tree.
The apple, one of our best loved fruits, is used in over 180 recipes within these pages. Wholesome and largely easy to prepare, the dishes include starters, supper dishes, salads, chutneys, jams, puddings and tea-time treats.The Apple Cookbook (Cavalier Cookbooks)
.
One of the reasons for going to Tentsmuir Sands North Fife was to avail ourselves of the Sea Buckthorn berries. Alas we were beaten to them by others though we did collect sufficient for a really nice pie.
Are you fully aware of nature's bounty? There's free food everywhere! Herbs, salad leaves, vegetables, berries, nuts and fungi can all be found. From edible seaweed and fennel to horseradish and wild asparagus, from the roadside to seaside every environment holds a burgeoning larder. "Wild Food" shows you what plants and fungi are edible, where to look for them, how to safely identify them and how to prepare them. There's even a section devoted to delicious recipes so that you have everything you need to make the transition from pathway to plate. Organised by environment and with clear instructions for identification, this is the European forager's bible.Wild Food For Free
.
Here in North Fife this years summer environment was the wettest I have experienced in 28 years. A warm spring yielded abundant blossom and now abundant fruit,though short in sugar, the vegetables are giant and the only down side is that the garden grapes have not matured due to lack of sun.
.
Change is constant of course but is becoming more extreme affecting our environment. Adapt, we will have to. It is always better to be informed and the study of this publication will help understanding to adopt appropriate live choices.
.
Are they edible? It may be helpful to have definitive guide as in the recommended book below.
Fungi in Tentsmuir Forest North Fife. The Forest and along the fife coast abounds in fungi some edible some hallucinogenic and some poisonous. I recommend the book below so as not to get them mixed up.
This an example of Flyagaric, can be eaten and tested once maybe for its effects, thereafter it is toxic to the liver and is best ingested as the urine from a Reindeer who love it, whereby the toxic alkaloids are removed if you happen to have both handy, Shamans partake to induce trance. 
Fully illustrated throughout, this practical guide to identifying edible mushrooms gives you all the details you need to enjoy the adventure of locating and collecting wild mushrooms. The book features all edible species of mushroom, together with those with which they may be confused. Organised by habitat for easy reference, it is beautifully illustrated and includes the best ways to cook and eat the mushrooms you collect. Main species are illustrated in their relevant habitat, and key features are described in detail. 'Lookalikes' are shown alongside the main species, and additional illustrations indicate how they differ. Calendar bars indicating at what time of year you can expect to see each mushroom along with an annotated cross-section giving accurate measurements make identification easier. How to Identify Edible Mushrooms
.
St Andrews Castle North Fife.
.
South Street St Andrews North Fife.
.
.
.
.
As a family we like to visit Tentsmuir sands and forest, wander through the trees to the beach and just enjoy the rich is-ness of the huge expanse of sky, water, sand and all.
The largest beach by far in Fife. Part of Fife Coastal Walk from Tayport to St Andrews.
Any walk along the high water line reveals the remains of sea life. Here these bivalve shells and razor shells display the richness of the seashore life off Tentsmuir sands in North Fife.
Philip's Guide to Seashores and Shallow Seas of Britain and Europe is a new edition of a classic identification guide, with superb illustrations. The text has been fully revised and updated to incorporate numerous changes in classification resulting from biological research. Seashores and shallow seas are one of the most diverse natural environments, rich in plant and animal life. They are also among the most visited, attracting everyone from beachcombers and anglers to sailors and divers. Many who visit the sea take a strong interest in the wildlife found there, and this book provides a comprehensive and accessible guide. More than 1000 species are described in this book. For each species there is an account of the form, size, habitat and distribution. These combined with detailed and life-like illustration enable even the complete novice to easily identify a wide range of flora and fauna. It is a 'must have' for students of marine biography and oceanography, and for collectors of shells and other seashore remnants. Identification is assisted by an illustrated identification key in the introduction, which also describes the marine and seashore environment, explains the impact of the tides, and discusses conservation. Important groups of animals also have their own introductions.
