Buckhaven
Encyclopedia
Buckhaven is a coastal town on the east coast of Fife
, Scotland
, on the Firth of Forth
between East Wemyss
and Methil
. Its inhabitants sometimes refer to it as Buckhind or Buckhine. Buckhaven was originally settled by Norsemen and the word Buckhaven is possibly a derivative word or phrase from an old Norse language meaning "roaring harbour".
According to estimates in 2006, the population including Methil stood at around 16,240: however, the Levenmouth
area including Kennoway
, Leven
, the Wemyss villages, Largo Bay and Windygates
has a combined population of around 37,410. The population of Buckhaven & Denbeath (comprising seven different datazones) is 5,483 according to the 2001 Census.
Once a thriving weaving village and fishing port, it was reported as having in 1831, the second-largest fishing fleet in Scotland with a total of 198 boats. Fishing declined during the 19th century, but in the 1860s Buckhaven developed more into a mining town. Although coal waste blackened its beaches and silted up its harbour (now inexistant), it later became a Fife coast holiday resort and recreation are for locals. Nowadays, it is classed as one of Fife's 'Regeneration areas' in need of regeneration socially and economically.
The fishing community of Buckhaven is said to have been largely the descendants of Norsemen
who settled there in the 9th century.
Centuries later, Buckhaven's fisherfolk bought an Episcopal Church
in St Andrews
in 1869 and transported it stone by stone to Buckhaven, using fishing boats.
St.Andrews Church in Buckhaven was restored in the 1980s, when the building was converted into a theatre.
Many years before, St.Andrews Church of Scotland had previously combined with the other local Church of Scotlands into one parish.
In the 1980s the St.Andrews building continued to be owned by Buckhaven Parish Church, even after the conversion.
Buckhaven Museum has displays on the history of the fishing industry.
Buckhaven is on the Fife Coastal Path
, and near to Wemyss Caves and Largo Bay.
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, on the Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south...
between East Wemyss
East Wemyss
East Wemyss is a village situated on the south coast of the Kingdom of Fife, Scotland. In the United Kingdom Census 2001 the population was recorded as 1841.- History :...
and Methil
Methil
Methil is an eastern coastal town in Scotland. It was part of the former Burgh of Buckhaven and Methil. It lies within a continuous urban area described as Levenmouth.Methil lies geographically between Largo bay to the east and Wemyss Bay to the west....
. Its inhabitants sometimes refer to it as Buckhind or Buckhine. Buckhaven was originally settled by Norsemen and the word Buckhaven is possibly a derivative word or phrase from an old Norse language meaning "roaring harbour".
According to estimates in 2006, the population including Methil stood at around 16,240: however, the Levenmouth
Levenmouth
Levenmouth is a small conurbation on the north side of the Firth of Forth, on the east coast of Scotland. It consists of three coastal towns, eleven villages inland and smallerHamlets. The industrial towns of Buckhaven and Methil lie on the west bank of the River Leven, and the resort town of Leven...
area including Kennoway
Kennoway
Kennoway is a village in Fife, Scotland, near the larger population centres in the area of Leven and Methil. It is about three miles inland from the Firth of Forth, north of Leven. This position gave it importance in the old days while travelling by coach, for the stage road ran through Kennoway...
, Leven
Leven, Fife
Leven is a seaside town in Fife, set in the east Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies on the coast of the Firth of Forth at the mouth of the River Leven, north-east of Kirkcaldy and east of Glenrothes....
, the Wemyss villages, Largo Bay and Windygates
Windygates
Windygates is a small district in central Fife, Scotland.It encompasses the villages hamlets and estates of Wellsgreen Farm, Little Lun Farm, Woodbank Farm, The Maw , Cameron, Isabella, Smithyhill, Cameronbridge, Bridgend, Durie Estate, Duniface Farm, Haughmill , Drumcaldie, The Meetings ,...
has a combined population of around 37,410. The population of Buckhaven & Denbeath (comprising seven different datazones) is 5,483 according to the 2001 Census.
Once a thriving weaving village and fishing port, it was reported as having in 1831, the second-largest fishing fleet in Scotland with a total of 198 boats. Fishing declined during the 19th century, but in the 1860s Buckhaven developed more into a mining town. Although coal waste blackened its beaches and silted up its harbour (now inexistant), it later became a Fife coast holiday resort and recreation are for locals. Nowadays, it is classed as one of Fife's 'Regeneration areas' in need of regeneration socially and economically.
The fishing community of Buckhaven is said to have been largely the descendants of Norsemen
Norsemen
Norsemen is used to refer to the group of people as a whole who spoke what is now called the Old Norse language belonging to the North Germanic branch of Indo-European languages, especially Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese, Swedish and Danish in their earlier forms.The meaning of Norseman was "people...
who settled there in the 9th century.
Centuries later, Buckhaven's fisherfolk bought an Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
in St Andrews
St Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
in 1869 and transported it stone by stone to Buckhaven, using fishing boats.
St.Andrews Church in Buckhaven was restored in the 1980s, when the building was converted into a theatre.
Many years before, St.Andrews Church of Scotland had previously combined with the other local Church of Scotlands into one parish.
In the 1980s the St.Andrews building continued to be owned by Buckhaven Parish Church, even after the conversion.
Buckhaven Museum has displays on the history of the fishing industry.
Buckhaven is on the Fife Coastal Path
Fife Coastal Path
The Fife Coastal Path is a Scottish long distance footpath that runs from North Queensferry to Newport-on-Tay, near the Tay Bridge. The path was created in 2002 and runs for 82 miles along the coastline of Fife...
, and near to Wemyss Caves and Largo Bay.
Notable people
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, also a professional footballer, brother of Frank O'Donnell. - Jade Richards a contestant of The X Factor 2011. She didn't get any further than judges houses stage.