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Pittenweem Priory - Interpretive Panels

For more information on the history of the Priory see the booklet in the pdf below. i.e.  'Pittenweem Priory and its Gatehouse' by Prof Anthony Lodge published 2019 by the Pittenweem Gatehouse Restoration Group. 
This is the result of detailed research into original sources, principally of St Andrews University's archive of church records and charters. It summaries the history of the Priory as a monastic institution and of its buildings. 
Prof Lodge’s full history of the Priory is available in his book ‘Pittenweem Priory’ published 2020 bt Strathmartine Press 
The Society completed its project for the design and installation of three interpretive panels around the precinct of Pittenweem Priory in the summer of 2025. The text and illustrations on the panels explain the Priory’s religious, political and social history from its origins as a shore base for the early monastery on May Island through to its later role as a religious house and a seat for important national figures who were the churchmen and post-reformation noblemen owners.

Attachments
Pittenweem Priory its Gatehouse.pdf [8.65Mb]
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Project for interpretive panels at Pittenweem Priory

ENFPS is developing a project for interpretation panels at Pittenweem Priory and Tolbooth to explain the history and importance of these buildings.

The Priory with its Great House, fortified Gatehouse and Prior’s Lodging is one of the few monastic sites in Scotland with its structures relatively complete, and the Tolbooth is the burgh’s most important landmark. But at present there is nothing in Pittenweem to indicate to visitors the historic or architectural significance of the Priory and Tolbooth or of the adjacent St Fillans Cave that was associated with the monastery.

Recent published research on the Priory's religious, political and social history means that we now know a great deal more about its origins, from the earlier monastery on May Island through to its later role as a base for important national figures who were its churchmen and post-reformation noblemen owners. The author of much of this research, Prof Anthony Lodge, has already provided the text for the proposed panels which would explain the historic connection to the earlier monastery on May Island, the original layout of the Priory monastic buildings and how they were adapted post reformation into the Tolbooth and Parish Church. 

Sponsorship funding has been raised to cover the initial feasibility work for the project, and a design and interpretive consultant has been appointed to provide us with recommendations for organising the content for the panels and with a specification for their manufacture and installation. This will be used to invite quotations from panel design and installation companies which will provide the firm price and scope needed to approach potential sponsors for the balance of the funding needed.

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