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| | | From Shetland to the Scilly Isles, Open Country travels the UK in search of the stories, the people and the wildlife that make our countryside such a vibrant place. Each week we visit a new area to hear how local people are growing the crops, protecting the environment, maintaining the traditions and cooking the food that makes their corner of rural Britain unique.
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|  | | Fishing harbour at Pittenweem | |
Helen Mark travels to The Kingdom of Fife, an ancient land steeped in mystery, history and tradition. "Fife" was originally an old Danish word that meant "wooded country. Helen sails to the island of Inchcolm, named after St Columba, who was thought to have lived here in the 6th century. The monastery dates back to 1123, founded by Alexander III after he was rescued and sheltered here by a hermit when the King's boat capsized during a storm. The hermit's cell still exists. The monastery has has a turbulent history: it was raided several times by the English and by pirates. The abbey has also been set on fire and was finally ruined during the reformation. It is still one of the most impressive abbey ruins in Scotland and has been restored in recent times. One can climb the tower to the top floor dovecote. The island has been used as a hospital, quarantine station and fort. Several skeletons have been discovered, including one standing upright inside a wall of the Abbots House. The water off the shore at Inchcolm is known as Mortemeris Deep, a name believed to originate from William de Mortimer, a medieval Lord of Aberdour who upset the monks of Inchcolm so much that they murdered him and dropped his body in the deep waters hereabouts. Helen meets Doreen Grove, from Historic Scotland, who tells her of the island's recent history - its strategic position in the has meant it has been fortified and re-fortified throughout the last century. There are first and second world war gun emplacements. Things are obviously more peaceful now - apart that is from the dive bombing seagulls - as Ron Selly, the present warden who lives on the island for eight months, tells Helen.
History of Fife
Inchcolm Abbey
Helen visits artist and writer Marrianna Lines, who tells her about the Wemyss Caves. Most of the caves are near the village of East Wemyss. Over the centuries, the Wemyss Caves have
been used as dwellings, workplaces, and ceremonial sites for a variety of peoples, including the Picts and Scots. They're best known for their rock art carvings most of which is Pictish and dates from the fourth century. Some, such as the image of the Pictish warrior figure and glyphic symbol, commonly known as "Thor and His Goat" are said to be at least 1200 years old. In 1986, the Save the Ancient Wemyss Caves Society (SAWCS) was formed to help preserve the caves and their legacy and is seeking to get a better footpath established to the caves and, in the future, hopes to erect interpretation charts as part of visitor education.
The Wemyss Caves
Save the Wemyss Caves Society
Gazetteer for Scotland
 | | Double disc Pictish carving at East Wymess Caves | |
Helen next visits the fishing village of Pittenweem, home to the Fife fishing fleet. John Donaldson and Billy Hughes take Helen on a tour of the harbour and point out that fishing may be in a cycle of decline but they still have hope for the future and villages like Pittenweem are still carrying on the centuries-old tradition of fishing the North Sea. Pittenweem means "place of the cave" and it dates back to when a cave in old Cove Wynd was used as a place of worship by the missionary St Fillan during the seventh century. The cave was restored in 1935 and is still open to visitors. Inside there is the Saint Well and an altar where St Fillan used to write, reputedly aided by a luminous glow from his left arm.
Pittenweem
 | | Stag at Reediehill Farm | |
Helen meets John and Nichola Fletcher, who established the first commercial deer farm in Europe at Reediehill Farm near Auchtermuchty nearly 30 years ago. The deer are grass fed and as Nichola tells Helen that makes for lean and healthy meat. They tell Helen about their 25 years of experience which has enabled them to build up a unique resource of specialised information.
The Fletchers of Auchtermuchty
This week's competition
What does the word Wymess mean? The prize is one of Marrianna Lines' wall hangings.
Last week's competition winner is Brenda Tillston of Liverpool, who knew that green is associated with Kendal.
Submit your entry by emailing [email protected]
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Isle of Gigha 2004
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Isle of Man - Seas
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Izak Walton
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Lunar Influence
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Richard Mabey
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Scottish Borders
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Survival
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Thornham Estate, Suffolk
Thurstonland Cricket Club
Twyford Down
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Village Life
Terry Waite
Wales
Wales: Flatholm Island
Wales: Nant Gwrtheyrn
Wales: Snowdonia
Warwickshire: rare breeds
Wayoh Reservoir
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Wild boar
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Wiltshire: Savernake Forest
Women's Institute
Wroxeter
Yorkshire Dales, June 2002
Yorkshire Dales, 1 July 2006
Yorkshire Dales, 8 July 2006
Z to Z Britain
Open Country looks back 2003
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