Court Cave

So-called because local tradition says it was used as a court in the Middle Ages by the laird who lived in MacDuff's Castle.

Another story tells that an incognito James IV joined a company of gypsies in the cave and when the liquor flowed and a quarrel broke out, was forced to reveal his identity. The cave was afterwards ironically called Court Cave.

Locally also known as Bark Cove because it was a place where fishermen steeped their nets in preservative made of oak bark, and Piper's Cave because of a legend of a piper marching into the cave playing his pipes never to be seen again.

Until recently, miners played the gambling game of "toss" in the Court Cave.

Court Cave contains 10 recorded Pictish Carvings. Two other notable carvings are found in the passage; a rare figure and midget cupmarks in the shape of a cross. These are undoubtedly ancient, but do not conform to typical Pictish symbolism.

W4D-CC-001

W4D-CC-001
Possibly, originally a Pictish beast

W4D-CC-002

W4D-CC-002
Pictish beast and shape

W4D-CC-004

W4D-CC-004
Double disc with floriated rod

W4D-CC-005

W4D-CC-005
Bird

W4D-CC-006

W4D-CC-006
Double disc

W4D-CC-007

W4D-CC-007
Double crescent and Pictish beast

W4D-CC-008

W4D-CC-008
Faint double disc and possible crescent with V-rod

W4D-CC-009

W4D-CC-009
Triangular shapes

W4D-CC-010

W4D-CC-010
Triangle linked to circle

W4D-CC-011

W4D-CC-011
Triangular shapes

W4D-CC-013

W4D-CC-013
Double disc with floriated rod

W4D-CC-015

W4D-CC-015
Brooch shape

W4D-CC-021

W4D-CC-021
Midget cup marks forming a cross shape

W4D-CC-025

W4D-CC-025
Sometimes described as brooch shaped

W4D-CC-030

W4D-CC-030
Often described as Thor with his hammer and sacred goat

The Game of Miners' Toss
Remembering the gambling that took place in the Court Cave.

Old postcard in front of the Court Cave looking towards East Wemyss, c. 1900.
Photo SWACS archives.

Women carrying baskets of fish taking a rest outside Court Cave, late 19th century.
Photo SWACS archives.

Miners play an illicit game of Toss in the Court Cave in the 1930's.
Photo SWACS archives.

Brick pillars were built to support the Court Cave in 1934. The cave entrance partially collapsed in 1970.
Photo SWACS archives.

Court Cave carvings illustrated by Andrew Gibb.
From John Stuart, The Sculptured Stones of Scotland, 1867.

J. Patrick photograph annotated by J. Romilly Allen of panel in the Court Cave showing 4 double discs and a possible crescent and V-rod, c. 1890.
© The British Library Board (37542)

Annoted rubbing of double discs in Court Cave, J. Romilly Allen, 1890.
© The British Library Board (37573)

Annoted rubbing of crescent and V-rod and double disc in Court Cave, J. Romilly Allen, 1890.
© The British Library Board (37573)

Rubbing of Picitish beast in Court Cave, J. Romilly Allen, 1890.
© The British Library Board (37573)

Rubbing of double crescent and Picitish beast in Court Cave, J. Romilly Allen, 1890.
© The British Library Board (37573)

Annotated rubbing of cupmark cross shape, J. Romilly Allen, 1890.
© The British Library Board (37573)

Annotated rubbing of figure known locally as Thor, J. Romilly Allen, 1890.
© The British Library Board (37573)