SAINT MONANS WINDMILL

KINGDOM OF FIFE

SCOTLAND


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All photographs by Bill Newman....2007..........MØBNN...MMØBNN/p

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I activated this Windmill in September 2007

Saint Monans Windmill

The Windmill was built in 1771 and was used for the pumping of seawater and the prodution of salt until 1883.

Located in SAINT MONANS ( also called Saint Monance) 47 miles / 75 Kms north of EDINBURGH and 13 miles/ 21Kms south of Saint Andrews in the KINGDOM of FIFE, Scotland

The windmill is a short walk from St.Monans village

A late eighteenth century windmill associated with the salt industry. The last remaining windmill in Fife.

To the east of St Monans lies St Monans Windmill which provided yet another sea-based source of income and labour. In 1771, the Newark Coal and Salt Company was set up. Low-grade coal extracted nearby was use to heat iron pans thereby reducing the seawater within to salt crystals. The salt was then exported from Pittenweem Harbour. When the salt tax was repealed, the industry collapsed and salt production had ceased in St Monans by 1823. From St Monans Windmill, you'll be able to see the settling tank, channel and the remains of the nine salt-pan houses.

Above the windmill is a farm, the Coal Farm, so given its name as coal was once mined here, but in the 18th century there was a major underground fire and this caused a slump in production and the mine closed, as did the salt-pans in 1823.

This windmill was the major power source for the salt panning operation which once graced this spot. Careful restoration of the site by St Andrews University staff and students has revealed the extent of the sea salt workings. Drying houses, sea water collections 'pans' and the lines of ancient cartways are all described at this spot.

The once thriving business was made uneconomic by the importation of high quality low cost rocksalt from the salt mines of Cheshire in England.

Site open all year with free entry. Windmill open July to Aug, 12n to 4pm daily. Sept to June obtain keys from Spar shop or P.O. (£5 deposit) in St Monans. Park in St Monans. Walk along shoreline towards Pittenweem. Fife Council Museum Service Tel: 01334 659380

 

 

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LAST UPDATE 6th. OCTOBER 2007

 

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