The Wemyss Caves are home to over 50 inscribed symbols, animal figures and a depiction of an early medieval boat. The caves also house several crosses carved by the first Christian missionaries to visit the area and on the cliffs above sit the remains of medieval MacDuff Castle, once home to the Earls of Fife.
The Wemyss Caves are believed to have been the product of sea action some 8000-5000 years ago and today they are historically important due to the high number of carvings which are inscribed on their walls. The earliest of these are thought to date to the Bronze Age, whilst most are connected with the Pictish period. The Pictish carvings constitute the earliest style of Pictish art (Class I) and are widely thought to be the highest concentration of Picitsh cave carvings in Britain.
There were initially eleven caves in total and six remain today caves along the coastline to the east of East Wemyss: Court Cave, Doo Cave, Well Cave, Jonathan’s Cave, Sliding Cave and Gas Works Cave.
The Save the Wemyss Ancient Caves Society runs guided tours on Sundays.
The caves are located to the east of East Wemyss on the Fife Coastal Path.
