West Stell

As seen from Inchkeith.

Looking south from Fife's coastal path between Kirkcaldy and Kinghorn many remnants of Scotland's violent volcanic past are to be seen. The stumps of ancient volcanoes like the island of Inchkeith and Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags in Edinburgh contrast with the folded sedimentary rocks along the Fife shoreline. The Pentland Hills (right background) are volcanic too.

For a history, see Link

"It is oure soverane Lordis Will, and the Command of the Lordis of his Counsall, sent to the Provest and Bailies within this Burgh, that this Proclamation followand be put to Execution for the eschewing [avoidance] of the greit apperand Danger of the Infectioun of his Lieges [loyal subjects] fra a contagious Siknes callit the Grandgore*, and the greit other Skaith [harm] that may occure to his Lieges and Inhabitons within this Burgh. 22d September 1497. That is to say, We charge straitlie and command, be the Authoritie above writtin, that all Maner of Personis being within the Fredome of this Burgh, quhilk are infectit, or has bene infectit and uncurit of this said contagious Plage callit the Grandgore, devoyd [evacuate], red and pass furth of this Toun, and compair [assemble] upoun the Sandis of Leith, at ten Houris before None, and thair sall have and fynd Botis reddie in the Havin ordainit to thame be the Officaris of this Burgh, reddelie furneist with Victualls [food], to have thame to the Inch [island], and thair to remane quhill [until] God provyde for thair Health; and that all uther Personis, the quhilk taks upoun thame to hale [heal] the said contagious Infirmitie, and taks the Cure thairof, that thay devoyd and pass with thame...and quha so be is fundin infectit, and not passand to the Inch as said is, be Mononday at the Sone ganging to [by Monday sunset]...ilk [each] of thame sall be brynt on the Cheike [burnt on the cheek] with the marking Irne, that they may be kennit in Tyme to cum; and thairefter, give [if] ony of thame remains, thay sall be banist but [without] Favour." -- letter from the Privy Council to the Edinburgh Magistrates (in the reign of James IV) *Scots name for syphilis, believed to have been introduced to Europe by a crew of sailors with Columbus in 1493; there was a major epidemic in Naples in 1494

Skerry off Inchkeith, it appears that some of it remains above sealevel at high water, just.

Inchkeith is littered with the decaying remains of coastal defences: big gun emplacements, towers and rotting buildings from both 20th century World Wars.

A concrete building above a gun emplacement at the northern end of the island.

A shrub covered yard near the highest point of the island and the lighthouse.

A rocky tail to Inchkeith with Cockenzie power station beyond.

A line of yellow buoys heading towards the bridges. View from off Inchkeith.

A skerry off Inchkeith (background).

The concrete landing structure on the west side of the island. Access is by a rusting ladder. The broken basalt crag is the southern edge of The Cowcans.

A grey seal at Kinghorn Harbour, Inchkeith. The north and eastern shores of the island are important seal colonies. A fortnightly visit is made to count the number of pups, I was accompanying such a trip. It was important, and not always easy to distinguish rocks and logs from seals. Rocks and logs don't have teeth!

Rusting stairs on the lookout tower at the summit of the island. Inchkeith is covered in fortifications and gun emplacements from both World Wars.

As seen from the south on the way to Edinburgh Airport.

The islet of Inchkeith is clearly visible from the northern perimeter wall of Edinburgh Castle. The unpopulated island covers an area of about 50 acres (20 ha) and rises to a maximum height of 193' (59m) Although no-one lives on Inchkeith now, it was home to considerable military fortifications during both world wars, and had a small population as recently as the 1980s.

Arthur's Seat, the volcanic plug above Edinburgh allows excellent views in all directions. The little island of Inchkeith can be clearly seen here - in fact more clearly than from Edinburgh Castle (see NT2982 : Inchkeith from Edinburgh Castle)

Crags on the east side of Inchkeith.