Buckhaven
| Buckhaven | |
| Fife | |
|---|---|
 Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital, Buckhaven | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NT361988 |
| Location: | 56°10’39"N, 3°1’49"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 16,391 (2001) |
| Post town: | Leven |
| Postcode: | KY8 |
| Dialling code: | 01592 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Fife |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Glenrothes |
Buckhaven is a town on the east coast of Fife, on the Firth of Forth between East Wemyss and Methil.
The name Buckhaven is possibly from English / Scots or, it has been argued, from Old Norse, 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.
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.
In 1869, 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. 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.
Outside links
- Buckhaven Information
- CLEAR Buckhaven - Actions and local issues of local environmental-civic voluntary association