Jump to content

Pitmilly: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m moved User:Inver471ness/Sandbox to Pitmilly: New article
some cleanup, fixing references, fixing section headers
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Pitmilly''' is the site of a former estate located five miles south-east of [[St Andrews]], [[Scotland]]. Its historical significance is threefold. It has been inhabited from ancient times; artifacts continue to be recovered from the [[Neolithic]], Bronze and [[Iron Ages]] and a well-known barrow (burial mound) [[Tumulus]] from the [[Bronze Age]] still exists there. It is connected to [[Clan Hay]] in that Eva of Pitmilly, the Celtic heiress to these lands, married [[William II de la Haya]], a [[Norman]], in the 12th century C.E., with the couple becoming the progenitors of that Scottish clan. Finally, for over seven centuries, it was owned by the important Moneypenny family <ref>Balfour 1909,p.275.</ref><ref>Black 1946, p.609.</ref>.
'''Pitmilly''' is the site of a former estate located five miles south-east of [[St Andrews]], [[Scotland]]. Its historical significance is threefold. It has been inhabited from ancient times; artifacts continue to be recovered from the [[Neolithic]], Bronze and [[Iron Ages]] and a well-known barrow (burial mound) [[Tumulus]] from the [[Bronze Age]] still exists there. It is connected to [[Clan Hay]] in that Eva of Pitmilly, the Celtic heiress to these lands, married [[William II de la Haya]], a [[Norman]], in the 12th century C.E., with the couple becoming the progenitors of that Scottish clan. Finally, for over seven centuries, it was owned by the important Moneypenny family <ref>Balfour 1909,p.275.</ref><ref>Black 1946, p.609.</ref>.


'''The Pitmilly Lands'''
==Pitmilly Lands ==


The name, Pitmilly or Pitmillie, has been used for centuries, but many variants occured in earlier times. These include Petmullin, Pitmulin, Pethmolyn, and Pitmaulin. They probably reflect the P-Celtic [[P-Celtic and Q-Celtic]], [[Scottish Gaelic]], Scots [[ Scots language]] and [[Latin]] languages, coupled with no great desire for consistency in spelling and the modification of place names that occurs so often. The prefix pit is derived from the P-Celtic word, pett, <ref>Roberts 1997, p.10.</ref> meaning a piece of land, and is very common in place-names in this part of Scotland. The second part of the name means mill, regardless of its various forms. Pitmilly means, therefore, a piece of land by the mill(s), and indeed, there are still ruined mills at Pitmilly.
The name, Pitmilly or Pitmillie, has been used for centuries, but many variants occured in earlier times. These include Petmullin, Pitmulin, Pethmolyn, and Pitmaulin. They probably reflect the P-Celtic [[P-Celtic and Q-Celtic]], [[Scottish Gaelic]], Scots [[ Scots language]] and [[Latin]] languages, coupled with no great desire for consistency in spelling and the modification of place names that occurs so often. The prefix pit is derived from the P-Celtic word, pett, <ref>Roberts 1997, p.10.</ref> meaning a piece of land, and is very common in place-names in this part of Scotland. The second part of the name means mill, regardless of its various forms. Pitmilly means, therefore, a piece of land by the mill(s), and indeed, there are still ruined mills at Pitmilly.
Line 9: Line 9:
A study of the cartography of the region from 1642 on <ref> The earliest map, a 1642 manuscript map by James Gordon, which was subsequently published in 1654 as an engraving by [[Joan Blaeu ]], identifies "Pitmilli" ("Pitmilly" on Blaue's map) and shows both Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water, without naming them. Blaue's map appeared in his Atlas of Scotland, the first publication of its kind. [[Herman Moll]], in his 1745 map, identifies "Pitmil" and shows both burns without naming them on the land. However, he notes "Pit Mille Burne" at the mouth of Kenly water. In 1775, Ainslie identifies "Pitmilly Burnmouth" at the mouth of Kenly Water. He depicts that burn, but obviously considers it to be Pitmilly Burn; he does not show Pitmilly Burn, the smaller stream. Interestingly, he depicts the square area of Pitmilly House and grounds, labeling them as "Pitmilly Coll." and "Moneypenny". The farms, Hillhead, Falside, which is shown near the mouth of the two burns, Moortown, Kilduncan, Donaldton and Boghall are marked. The same names are identified on another map by Ainslie(Fife and Kinross), but are harder to read. Greenwood et al.,in 1828, also show the extent of the Pitmilly House grounds, labeling them as "Pitmilly". They show the two burns, but label neither on land; at the coast they note "Kenlywater Mouth." Moreover, Greenwood et al. label clearly the farms identified by Ainslie but Moortown has become Morton and Falside is spelled Fallside and is shown considerably further inland. A few years later, Thomson and Johnson, in 1832, show Kenly Water and Pitmilly Burn reaching the North Sea separately, but identify neither on land. However, at the coast they note "Pitmilly Burn Mouth" They also show the Pitmilly House grounds, labeling the area as "Pitmilly". They identify Hillhead, Morton, Donaldton and Kilduncan farms, as well as Pitmilly Mills, notably in the plural. In the 1926 Ordnance Survey Map, Pitmilly and the manor house grounds are shown, as are all the farms previously mentioned, except for Donaldson. The two burns are shown, but not labeled. In the 2008 version, Pitmilly House, Pitmilly Law, Hillhead, Falside (spelled with one l), Morton, Boghall, and Kilduncan are all noted. The two burns are named appropriately. An interesting feature is the identification of only one mill in the area. This is shown as "Pitmilly Mill", but that structure is also known as Crail Mill. Actually, there is another mill, Hillhead Mill, in Pitmilly and it also has been called Pitmilly Mill.</ref> <ref>Gordon 1642</ref><ref>Blaeu 1654</ref><ref>Moll 1745</ref><ref>Ainslie 1775 Fife </ref><ref>Ainslie 1745 Fife and Kinross</ref><ref>Greenwood 1823</ref><ref>Thomson and Johnson 1832</ref><ref>Ordnance Survey 1926</ref><ref>Ordnance Survey 2008</ref>is interesting because it shows the different naming of Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water by individual mapmakers. In one map the two streams reach the North Sea separately. It also shows that the manor house at Pitmilly must have been built before 1775, and that the present farms in the region have existed for a long time, with the same names. One map refers to Pitmilly mills in the plural, which explains why two different mills have sometimes individually been referred to as Pitmilly Mill. The spelling of Pitmilly varies only slightly. In addition to Pitmilly, the name is found as Pitmilli, Pitmil (possibly as an abbreviation) and Pit Mille. The family name, Moneypenny, appears on a map in 1775.
A study of the cartography of the region from 1642 on <ref> The earliest map, a 1642 manuscript map by James Gordon, which was subsequently published in 1654 as an engraving by [[Joan Blaeu ]], identifies "Pitmilli" ("Pitmilly" on Blaue's map) and shows both Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water, without naming them. Blaue's map appeared in his Atlas of Scotland, the first publication of its kind. [[Herman Moll]], in his 1745 map, identifies "Pitmil" and shows both burns without naming them on the land. However, he notes "Pit Mille Burne" at the mouth of Kenly water. In 1775, Ainslie identifies "Pitmilly Burnmouth" at the mouth of Kenly Water. He depicts that burn, but obviously considers it to be Pitmilly Burn; he does not show Pitmilly Burn, the smaller stream. Interestingly, he depicts the square area of Pitmilly House and grounds, labeling them as "Pitmilly Coll." and "Moneypenny". The farms, Hillhead, Falside, which is shown near the mouth of the two burns, Moortown, Kilduncan, Donaldton and Boghall are marked. The same names are identified on another map by Ainslie(Fife and Kinross), but are harder to read. Greenwood et al.,in 1828, also show the extent of the Pitmilly House grounds, labeling them as "Pitmilly". They show the two burns, but label neither on land; at the coast they note "Kenlywater Mouth." Moreover, Greenwood et al. label clearly the farms identified by Ainslie but Moortown has become Morton and Falside is spelled Fallside and is shown considerably further inland. A few years later, Thomson and Johnson, in 1832, show Kenly Water and Pitmilly Burn reaching the North Sea separately, but identify neither on land. However, at the coast they note "Pitmilly Burn Mouth" They also show the Pitmilly House grounds, labeling the area as "Pitmilly". They identify Hillhead, Morton, Donaldton and Kilduncan farms, as well as Pitmilly Mills, notably in the plural. In the 1926 Ordnance Survey Map, Pitmilly and the manor house grounds are shown, as are all the farms previously mentioned, except for Donaldson. The two burns are shown, but not labeled. In the 2008 version, Pitmilly House, Pitmilly Law, Hillhead, Falside (spelled with one l), Morton, Boghall, and Kilduncan are all noted. The two burns are named appropriately. An interesting feature is the identification of only one mill in the area. This is shown as "Pitmilly Mill", but that structure is also known as Crail Mill. Actually, there is another mill, Hillhead Mill, in Pitmilly and it also has been called Pitmilly Mill.</ref> <ref>Gordon 1642</ref><ref>Blaeu 1654</ref><ref>Moll 1745</ref><ref>Ainslie 1775 Fife </ref><ref>Ainslie 1745 Fife and Kinross</ref><ref>Greenwood 1823</ref><ref>Thomson and Johnson 1832</ref><ref>Ordnance Survey 1926</ref><ref>Ordnance Survey 2008</ref>is interesting because it shows the different naming of Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water by individual mapmakers. In one map the two streams reach the North Sea separately. It also shows that the manor house at Pitmilly must have been built before 1775, and that the present farms in the region have existed for a long time, with the same names. One map refers to Pitmilly mills in the plural, which explains why two different mills have sometimes individually been referred to as Pitmilly Mill. The spelling of Pitmilly varies only slightly. In addition to Pitmilly, the name is found as Pitmilli, Pitmil (possibly as an abbreviation) and Pit Mille. The family name, Moneypenny, appears on a map in 1775.


'''History before the arrival of the Normans'''
== History before the arrival of the Normans==


Artifacts have been recovered from the [[Neolithic]], Bronze and [[Iron Ages]], indicating that Pitmilly has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic Age. Beatson<ref>Beatson between 1791 and 1799</ref> and Wright<ref>Wright between 1834 and 1845</ref>, in The[[ Statistical Accounts of Scotland ]]of 1791-99 and 1834-45, respectively, described stone coffins, containing human bones, on the shore of [[Kingsbarns]] parish, which includes Pitmilly. They stated that the tombs were thought to be of Danes, i.e., [[Viking]] raiders, but Beatson appears dubious. From these descriptions, there is no doubt that the tombs were really Bronze Age [[cists]]. Pitmilly Law, a [[Bronze Age]] burial barrow, now with trees growing on its summit, is a local landmark on the Pitmilly estate. An article by Skinner in 1869 discusses the finding of six empty cists there<ref>Skinner 1869</ref>. In 1867, he had discussed nearby cists on the Pitmilly estate that contained skeletons<ref>Skinner 1867</ref>. Recently, an early Bronze Age cist was discovered just outside the ruins of Pitmilly House during road work; it contained a skeleton and a food vessel of the Yorkshire vase tradition<ref>Bronze Age food vessel www.historyscotland.com 2008</ref>. A Neolithic carved stone ball [[stone balls]] was recovered in 2006 near Pitmilly Law<ref>TT.103/06</ref>.
Artifacts have been recovered from the [[Neolithic]], Bronze and [[Iron Ages]], indicating that Pitmilly has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic Age. Beatson<ref>Beatson between 1791 and 1799</ref> and Wright<ref>Wright between 1834 and 1845</ref>, in The[[ Statistical Accounts of Scotland ]]of 1791-99 and 1834-45, respectively, described stone coffins, containing human bones, on the shore of [[Kingsbarns]] parish, which includes Pitmilly. They stated that the tombs were thought to be of Danes, i.e., [[Viking]] raiders, but Beatson appears dubious. From these descriptions, there is no doubt that the tombs were really Bronze Age [[cists]]. Pitmilly Law, a [[Bronze Age]] burial barrow, now with trees growing on its summit, is a local landmark on the Pitmilly estate. An article by Skinner in 1869 discusses the finding of six empty cists there<ref>Skinner 1869</ref>. In 1867, he had discussed nearby cists on the Pitmilly estate that contained skeletons<ref>Skinner 1867</ref>. Recently, an early Bronze Age cist was discovered just outside the ruins of Pitmilly House during road work; it contained a skeleton and a food vessel of the Yorkshire vase tradition<ref>Bronze Age food vessel www.historyscotland.com 2008</ref>. A Neolithic carved stone ball [[stone balls]] was recovered in 2006 near Pitmilly Law<ref>TT.103/06</ref>.
Line 15: Line 15:
There appears to be no historical record, specifically, of Pitmilly from the Bronze Age to when the [[Normans]] arrived in Scotland. The [[Picts]] lived and farmed there, as nearby [[St Andrew]] developed into an important ecclesiastical center. [[Robert Sibbald]]<ref>Sibbald 1710, p.348</ref>, writing in 1710 , states that there were some obelisks of rough stone on higher ground, just south of the former site of Inchmurtach, a country residence of the Bishop of St Andrews [[Archbishop of St Andrews]], and now the site of Kenlygreen. That location would presumably place them on the Pitmilly Estate. He quotes "the great antiquary, Mr. Maule", as believing that these were the monuments of some great men killed in battle with the Danes. This conclusion may be valid because the Danes ([[Vikings]]) frequently invaded these shores. However, it is also possible that the stones were [[menhirs]] erected by the [[Picts]]. Such stones are common in Scotland.
There appears to be no historical record, specifically, of Pitmilly from the Bronze Age to when the [[Normans]] arrived in Scotland. The [[Picts]] lived and farmed there, as nearby [[St Andrew]] developed into an important ecclesiastical center. [[Robert Sibbald]]<ref>Sibbald 1710, p.348</ref>, writing in 1710 , states that there were some obelisks of rough stone on higher ground, just south of the former site of Inchmurtach, a country residence of the Bishop of St Andrews [[Archbishop of St Andrews]], and now the site of Kenlygreen. That location would presumably place them on the Pitmilly Estate. He quotes "the great antiquary, Mr. Maule", as believing that these were the monuments of some great men killed in battle with the Danes. This conclusion may be valid because the Danes ([[Vikings]]) frequently invaded these shores. However, it is also possible that the stones were [[menhirs]] erected by the [[Picts]]. Such stones are common in Scotland.


'''Eva of Pitmilly and Clan Hay'''
== Eva of Pitmilly and Clan Hay ==


The first record of Pitmilly appears to be when the [[Norman]], [[William II de la Haya]], the first recorded de la Haya in Scotland, married Eva of Pitmilly no later than 1171<ref>Balfour 1906, pp.555-7</ref>. Nothing is known about Eva, except that she was the Celtic heiress to the lands of Pitmilly and to other lands on the north of the Tay estuary. However, this marriage of a Norman knight to a Celtic landowner was important because it was the beginning of the [[Scoto-Norman]] family that became [[Clan Hay]]. The short-lived connection of the Hays to Pitmilly ended in 1171 when the couple gave the Pitmilly lands to the Prior of St Andrews to support a hospital for pilgrims<ref>Diplomata No.25. Referenced in Balfour 1906, pp.555-7</ref>.<ref>The statement by Wilkie that the lands of Pitmilly were given to the Church by Ada de Warenne is incorrect. The lands that she gave to the Church were around Haddington where she lived, not Pitmilly, and she did not own the Pitmilly lands. The gift of the Pitmilly lands to the Church by William and Eva is well–established.
The first record of Pitmilly appears to be when the [[Norman]], [[William II de la Haya]], the first recorded de la Haya in Scotland, married Eva of Pitmilly no later than 1171<ref>Balfour 1906, pp.555-7</ref>. Nothing is known about Eva, except that she was the Celtic heiress to the lands of Pitmilly and to other lands on the north of the Tay estuary. However, this marriage of a Norman knight to a Celtic landowner was important because it was the beginning of the [[Scoto-Norman]] family that became [[Clan Hay]]. The short-lived connection of the Hays to Pitmilly ended in 1171 when the couple gave the Pitmilly lands to the Prior of St Andrews to support a hospital for pilgrims<ref>Diplomata No.25. Referenced in Balfour 1906, pp.555-7</ref>.<ref>The statement by Wilkie that the lands of Pitmilly were given to the Church by Ada de Warenne is incorrect. The lands that she gave to the Church were around Haddington where she lived, not Pitmilly, and she did not own the Pitmilly lands. The gift of the Pitmilly lands to the Church by William and Eva is well–established.</ref><ref>Wilkie 1931, p.318</ref><ref>Wikipedia, Ada de Warenne, 2008</ref> Nothing remains at Pitmilly of whatever residence Eva's family occupied there.


==Pitmilly under the Moneypennys==
</ref> <ref>Wilkie 1931, p.318</ref><ref>Wikipedia, Ada de Warenne, 2008</ref> Nothing remains at Pitmilly of whatever residence Eva's family occupied there.

'''Pitmilly under the Moneypennys'''


The centuries-long association of the Monypennys with Pitmilly began in 1211, when Thomas, Prior of St Andrews, granted a charter of the lands of Pitmilly to Richard Monipennie, quam Malisius tennit<ref>Sibbald 1710, p.348</ref>. The former was probably a Norman knight, while Malisius may be the Latin form of Malvoisine, the Bishop of St Andrews at that time<ref>Wikipedia, William de Malveisin 2008</ref> and the Prior's superior. In 1296, along with the other Scots gentry and landowners, John de Monypenny of Pitmilly signed the so-called [[Ragman roll]] by which he swore fealty solely to [[King Edward 1 of England]]<ref>Connolly 1866, p.337</ref>. Had he not done so, he would have forfeited his lands and suffered other severe penalties. There appears to be little historical record of Pitmilly, as opposed to the Moneypenny family, during the following centuries. Sibbald <ref>Sibbald 1710, p.348</ref>, writing in 1710, notes the existence of the house, one mile east of [[Kingsbarns]], of a very ancient family of the name of Monipenny. The date when Pitmilly House, which presumably replaced or substantially modified the house mentioned by Sibbald, and its grounds were built is not known, but it obviously was constructed during the Georgian Era (1714-1830), the age of grand country houses, because it was a typical Georgian mansion [[ Georgian architecture]]<ref>Pitmilly House, from Millar,retrieved 2008</ref>. It must have been built before 1775 because Ainslie<ref>Ainslie, County of Fife 1775</ref>, in that year, depicts on his map the square area of the grounds and house, labeling them as "Pitmilly Coll and "Moneypenny". Pitmilly is not mentioned in either the 1791-99 [[Statistical Account of Scotland]]<ref>Beatson between 1791 and 1799</ref> or in the New Statistical Account, published between 1834 and 1845<ref>Wright between 1834 and1845</ref>. However, Slater's Directory<ref>Slater 1852, p.?</ref>, circa 1852, mentions Pitmilly as a very ancient seat in the northern part of Kingsbarns parish, while the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland in 1865<ref>Groome 1833-6, p.206</ref>notes the presence of Pitmilly as an estate with a mansion. The last Moneypenny to live at Pitmilly was Charlton James Blackwell Moneypenny, 1867-1947, who immigrated to South America, apparently sometime after 1886<ref>Sewell 2008</ref>when he is still identified as the owner.<ref>Groome 1833-6, p.206.</ref>. The Monypenny family later sold Pitmilly House and the farms on the estate<ref>Macintyre 2008</ref>.
The centuries-long association of the Monypennys with Pitmilly began in 1211, when Thomas, Prior of St Andrews, granted a charter of the lands of Pitmilly to Richard Monipennie, quam Malisius tennit<ref>Sibbald 1710, p.348</ref>. The former was probably a Norman knight, while Malisius may be the Latin form of Malvoisine, the Bishop of St Andrews at that time<ref>Wikipedia, William de Malveisin 2008</ref> and the Prior's superior. In 1296, along with the other Scots gentry and landowners, John de Monypenny of Pitmilly signed the so-called [[Ragman roll]] by which he swore fealty solely to [[King Edward 1 of England]]<ref>Connolly 1866, p.337</ref>. Had he not done so, he would have forfeited his lands and suffered other severe penalties. There appears to be little historical record of Pitmilly, as opposed to the Moneypenny family, during the following centuries. Sibbald <ref>Sibbald 1710, p.348</ref>, writing in 1710, notes the existence of the house, one mile east of [[Kingsbarns]], of a very ancient family of the name of Monipenny. The date when Pitmilly House, which presumably replaced or substantially modified the house mentioned by Sibbald, and its grounds were built is not known, but it obviously was constructed during the Georgian Era (1714-1830), the age of grand country houses, because it was a typical Georgian mansion [[ Georgian architecture]]<ref>Pitmilly House, from Millar,retrieved 2008</ref>. It must have been built before 1775 because Ainslie<ref>Ainslie, County of Fife 1775</ref>, in that year, depicts on his map the square area of the grounds and house, labeling them as "Pitmilly Coll and "Moneypenny". Pitmilly is not mentioned in either the 1791-99 [[Statistical Account of Scotland]]<ref>Beatson between 1791 and 1799</ref> or in the New Statistical Account, published between 1834 and 1845<ref>Wright between 1834 and1845</ref>. However, Slater's Directory<ref>Slater 1852, p.?</ref>, circa 1852, mentions Pitmilly as a very ancient seat in the northern part of Kingsbarns parish, while the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland in 1865<ref>Groome 1833-6, p.206</ref>notes the presence of Pitmilly as an estate with a mansion. The last Moneypenny to live at Pitmilly was Charlton James Blackwell Moneypenny, 1867-1947, who immigrated to South America, apparently sometime after 1886<ref>Sewell 2008</ref>when he is still identified as the owner.<ref>Groome 1833-6, p.206.</ref>. The Monypenny family later sold Pitmilly House and the farms on the estate<ref>Macintyre 2008</ref>.


'''Pitmilly after the Monypennys ''' <ref>The information in this section is mainly from local sources.</ref>
==Pitmilly after the Monypennys==

Pitmilly House was taken over during [[World War II]] as a billet for WRENS [[Women’s Royal Naval Service]] <ref>Women eho were stationedthere haveconfirmed this.</ref>; one source stated that it housed Italian prisoners of war. After the war it operated as a hotel <ref>Pitmilly Hotel, Fife, 1964 www.flickr.com/photos</ref>under several owners, but ultimately these businesses failed and the house, which was said to be haunted by a particularly active [[poltergeist ]]<ref>Macintyre 2008</ref>, deteriorated badly. It burned in 1967<ref>Macintyre 2008</ref>, with much of the building material subsequently being salvaged to build houses in Kingsbarns. Pitmilly now exists as good agricultural land, with the farms of the former estate still operating. Of these, Morton of Pitmilly has been renovated as a self-catering holiday resort. The most important landmark is Pitmilly Law. The ruins of two mills and of a fisherman's bothy on the estate remain. Hillhead Mill was a [[grist mill]], on which the date 1716 is still evident, and is located at the junction of Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water. Crail Mill was a [[flax mill]] with an adjacent miller’s house (which still bears the date 1790), located a few hundred yards upstream from Hillhead Mill. There is a large, marshy pond to the west of the miller’s house, probably representing the retting pond for the flax. Some confusion in nomenclature exists because both mills have on occasion been referred to individually as Pitmilly Mill. Little of Pitmilly House itself is left. Pitmilly West, built in 1975 on the site of the west gate house, operates as bed and breakfast. The other three gatehouses, the walls surrounding the grounds, pathways through the grounds, as well as ruins of the stables and the bowling alley remain. The Gate Lodge has been refurbished to a high standard; the East Lodge is in its original, Georgian, condition, while South Lodge is completely ruinous. Several photographs of the Pitmilly area as it is now can be found on [[Geograph British Isles]] at Grid Square NO5713 and adjacent squares<ref>Geograph British Isles 2008. The local beach is unofficially called Pitmilly Beach.


Pitmilly House was taken over during [[World War II]] as a billet for WRENS [[Women’s Royal Naval Service]];<ref>Women who were stationed there have confirmed this.</ref><ref>The information in this section is mainly from local sources</ref> one source stated that it housed Italian prisoners of war. After the war it operated as a hotel <ref>Pitmilly Hotel, Fife, 1964 www.flickr.com/photos</ref>under several owners, but ultimately these businesses failed and the house, which was said to be haunted by a particularly active [[poltergeist ]]<ref>Macintyre 2008</ref>, deteriorated badly. It burned in 1967<ref>Macintyre 2008</ref>, with much of the building material subsequently being salvaged to build houses in Kingsbarns. Pitmilly now exists as good agricultural land, with the farms of the former estate still operating. Of these, Morton of Pitmilly has been renovated as a self-catering holiday resort. The most important landmark is Pitmilly Law. The ruins of two mills and of a fisherman's bothy on the estate remain. Hillhead Mill was a [[grist mill]], on which the date 1716 is still evident, and is located at the junction of Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water. Crail Mill was a [[flax mill]] with an adjacent miller’s house (which still bears the date 1790), located a few hundred yards upstream from Hillhead Mill. There is a large, marshy pond to the west of the miller’s house, probably representing the retting pond for the flax. Some confusion in nomenclature exists because both mills have on occasion been referred to individually as Pitmilly Mill. Little of Pitmilly House itself is left. Pitmilly West, built in 1975 on the site of the west gate house, operates as bed and breakfast. The other three gatehouses, the walls surrounding the grounds, pathways through the grounds, as well as ruins of the stables and the bowling alley remain. The Gate Lodge has been refurbished to a high standard; the East Lodge is in its original, Georgian, condition, while South Lodge is completely ruinous. Several photographs of the Pitmilly area as it is now can be found on [[Geograph British Isles]] at Grid Square NO5713 and adjacent squares<ref>Geograph British Isles 2008. The local beach is unofficially called Pitmilly Beach.</ref>
'''References'''


==Notes==
{{reflist}}


==References==
{{cite book
*{{cite book
| last = Balfour
| last = Balfour
| first = J.P.
| first = J.P.
Line 47: Line 45:
| id =
| id =
| isbn = }}
| isbn = }}
*{{cite book

{{cite book
| last = Balfour
| last = Balfour
| first = J.P.
| first = J.P.
Line 62: Line 59:
| id =
| id =
| isbn = }}
| isbn = }}
*{{cite book

{{cite book
| last = Black
| last = Black
| first = G.F.
| first = G.F.
Line 77: Line 73:
| id =
| id =
| isbn = }}
| isbn = }}
*{{cite book

{{cite book
| last = Connolly
| last = Connolly
| first = M.F.
| first = M.F.
Line 92: Line 87:
| id =
| id =
| isbn = }}
| isbn = }}
*{{Citation

{{Citation
| last = Groome
| last = Groome
| first = F.H.
| first = F.H.
| author-link =
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland,Vol. 5
| title = Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland,Vol. 5
| place = Edinburgh,
| place = Edinburgh
| publisher = Thomas J. Jack, Grange Publishing Works,
| publisher = Thomas J. Jack, Grange Publishing Works,
| year = 1833-6
| year = 1833-1836
| volume =
| volume =
| edition =
| edition =
| url = http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gazetteer/vol5page206.htm. Retrieved on 2008-12-26.
| url = http://www.electricscotland.com/history/gazetteer/vol5page206.htm.
| doi =
| doi =
| id =
| id =
| isbn = }}
| isbn = }}
*{{cite book

{{cite book
| last = Roberts
| last = Roberts
| first =J.L.
| first =J.L.
Line 125: Line 115:
| id =
| id =
| isbn = }}
| isbn = }}
*{{cite book | last = Sibbald

{{cite book
| last = Sibbald
| first = R.
| first = R.
| authorlink =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| coauthors =
| title = Sibbald,R. The history, ancient and modern, of the sherrifdoms of Fife and Kinross.
| title = Sibbald,R. The history, ancient and modern, of the sherrifdoms of Fife and Kinross.
| publisher = James Watson
| publisher = James Watson
| date =1710
| date =1710
| location = Edinburgh(Reprinted in 803 at Cupar, Scotland)
| location = Edinburgh(Reprinted in 803 at Cupar, Scotland)
Line 140: Line 128:
| id =
| id =
| isbn = }}
| isbn = }}
*{{cite book

| last = Slater
{{cite book
| last = Slater
| first = I
| first = I
| authorlink =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Slater's (Kelly’s) Royal National Directory and Topography of Scotland, etc.,
| coauthors =
| publisher = Manchester
| title = Slater's (Kelly’s) Royal National Directory and Topography of Scotland, etc.,
| date = 1852
| publisher = Manchester, I. Slater
| date = 1852
| location =
| location =
| pages = ?
| url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/FIF/parishes/Kingsbarns/index.htm |accessdate=2008-12-26.}}
| pages = ?
*{{cite book
| url=.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/FIF/parishes/Kingsbarns/index.htm Retrieved on 2008-12-26.
| last = Wilkie

| first = J.
{{cite book
| last = Wilkie
| authorlink =
| first = J.
| coauthors =
| title = Bygone Fife
| authorlink =
| publisher = Blackwood and sons
| coauthors =
| title = Bygone Fife
| date = 1931
| location = Edinburgh
| publisher = Blackwood and sons
| date = 1931
| pages =
| location = Edinburgh
| url =
| pages =
| isbn = }}
*{{cite map
| url =
|publisher = Gordon, J
| doi =
|title =Fyfe Shire, DCXLII=Fifa provincia noviter delineata / Auctore Jacobo Gordonio fo R.G. a Strathloch. Fifa provincia noviter delineata.Fife shire. 1642.
| id =
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/counties/detail.cfm?id=52
| isbn = }}
|edition=

|section =
{{cite map
|accessdate 2008-10-03}}
|publisher = Gordon, J
*{{cite map
|title =Fyfe Shire, DCXLII=Fifa provincia noviter delineata / Auctore Jacobo Gordonio fo R.G. a Strathloch. Fifa provincia noviter delineata.Fife shire. 1642.
|publisher = Gordon, J and Blaeu, J
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/counties/detail.cfm?id=52 |edition =
|title = Fifae Vicecomitatus, The Sherifdome of Fyfe.1654.
|section =
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/atlas/blaeu/page.cfm?id=92
|accessdate 2008-10-3.
|edition =In Blaeu's Atlas of Scotland, 1654
{{cite map
|section =
|publisher = Gordon, J and Blaeu, J
|accessdate 2008-11-23}}
|title = Fifae Vicecomitatus, The Sherifdome of Fyfe.1654.
*{{cite map
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/atlas/blaeu/page.cfm?id=92
|publisher = Moll, H
|edition =In Blaeu's Atlas of Scotland,1654.
|title =The Shires of Fife and Kinros, 1745.
|section =
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/detail.cfm?id=242
|accessdate 2008-11-23.
|edition = London, Bowles and Bowles

|section =
{{cite map
|accessdate 2008-10-03}}
|publisher = Moll, H
*{{cite map
|title =The Shires of Fife and Kinros, 1745.
|publisher = Ainslie, J.
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/detail.cfm?id=242
|title = County of Fife,1775.
|edition = London, Bowles and Bowles
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/joins/695.html
|section =
|edition =
|accessdate 2008-10-3.
|section =
|accessdate 2008-10-03}}
{{cite map
*{{cite map
|publisher = Ainslie, J.
|publisher = Ainslie, J.
|title = County of Fife,1775.
|title = Counties of Fife and Kinross with the Rivers Forth and Tay, 1775.
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/joins/695.html
|url = http://www.nls.uk:8080/StyleServer/calcrgn?cat=Maps&item=/74400369.sid&sty\e=maps….
|edition =
|section =
|edition =
|accessdate 2008-10-3.
|section =
|accessdate 2008-10-03}}
*{{cite map

|publisher = Greenwood,C., Fowler,W., Sharp,T.
{{cite map
|title = Map of the counties of Fife and Kinross,1828.
|publisher = Ainslie, J.
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/joins/624.html
|title = Counties of Fife and Kinross with the Rivers Forth and Tay, 1775.
|edition = London,Sharp,Greenwood and Fowler, 1828.
|url = http://www.nls.uk: 8080/StyleServer/calcrgn?cat=Maps&item=/74400369 .sid&sty\e=maps….
|edition =
|section =
|accessdate 2008-10-03}}
|section =
*{{cite map
|accessdate 2008-10-3.
|publisher = Thomson, J. and Johnson, W.

|title = Fife with Kinross Shire, 1820.
{{cite map
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/atlas/thomson/544.html.
|publisher = Greenwood,C., Fowler,W., Sharp,T.
|edition = In Thomson, J. The Atlas of Scotland, Edinburgh, J.Thomson & Co., 1820.
|title = Map of the counties of Fife and Kinross,1828.
|section =
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/joins/624.html
|accessdate 2008-11-23}}
|edition = London,Sharp,Greenwood and Fowler, 1828.
*{{cite map
|section =
|publisher = Ordnance Survey Maps One-inch "Popular" edition, Scotland, 1921-1930
|accessdate 2008-10-3
|title = Sheet 64 - Dundee & St Andrews

|url = http://www.nls.uk:8080/StyleServer/calcrgn?cat=Maps&item=/74400681.sid&style=maps.xsl&wid=700&hei=500&browser=win_ie&plugin=false
{{cite map
|edition =
|publisher = Thomson, J. and Johnson, W.
|section =
|title = Fife with Kinross Shire, 1820.
|accessdate 2008-12-19}}
|url = http://www.nls.uk/maps/atlas/thomson/544.html.
*{{cite map
|edition = In Thomson, J. The Atlas of Scotland, Edinburgh, J.Thomson & Co., 1820.
|publisher = Ordnance Survey, U.K.
|section =
|title = Grid reference at center NO583127
|accessdate 2008-11-23.
|url = http://www.Ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap

|edition =
{{cite map
|section =
|publisher = Ordnance Survey Maps One-inch "Popular" edition, Scotland, 1921-1930
|accessdate 2008-06-04}}
|title = Sheet 64 - Dundee & St Andrews
*{{cite web
|url = www.nls.uk:8080/StyleServer/calcrgn?cat=Maps&item=/74400681.sid&style=maps.xsl&wid=700&hei=500&browser=win_ie&plugin=false
|edition =
|last =
|section =
|first =
|authorlink =
|accessdate 2008-12-19.
|coauthors =

|title = Bronze Age Food Vessel, Pitmilly, Fife
{{cite map
|work =
|publisher = Ordnance Survey, U.K.
|publisher =
|title = Grid reference at center NO583127
|date = 2007-2008
|url = www.Ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap
|url = http://www.historyscotland.com/features/pitmilly.pdf
|edition =
|section =
|format =
|doi =
|accessdate 2008-6-4.
|accessdate = 2008-10-2008}}

{{cite web
*{{cite web
| last =
| last =
| first =
| first =
| authorlink =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| coauthors =
| title = Bronze Age Food Vessel, Pitmilly, Fife
| title = TT case number: 103/06 Neolithic carved stone ball, Pitmilly Law,Fife.
| work =
| work =
| publisher =
| publisher =
| date = 2007-2008
| date = 2006-2007
| url = http://www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk/html/details.asp?case_id=205
| url = www.historyscotland.com/features/pitmilly.pdf
| format =
| format =
| doi =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2008-10-2008 }}
| accessdate = 2008-11-30}}
*{{cite web

| last = Macintyre
{{cite web
| last =
| first = L.
| first =
| authorlink =
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = Pitmilly House, by Boarhills: 'Poltergeist Manor'
| coauthors =
| work =
| title = TT case number: 103/06 Neolithic carved stone ball, Pitmilly Law,Fife.
| work =
| publisher =
| date = November 2008
| publisher =
| url = http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/Non-degreecourses/OpenAssociation/Fridayeveningprogramme/
| date = 2006-2007
| format =
| url = http://www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk/html/details.asp?case_id=205
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2008-12-27}}
| doi =
*{{cite web
| accessdate = 2008-11-30}}
| last = Sewell
| first = R.
{{cite web
| last =
| authorlink =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Monypenny of Pitmilly
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| work =
| publisher = Robertsewell.com
| title = Ada de Warenne
| work =
| date =
| url = http://www.robertsewell.ca/monypenny.html#gen15.
| publisher =
| date =
| format =
| doi =
| url = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada de Warenne
| accessdate = 2008-12-26}}
| format =
*{{cite web
| doi =
| last =
| accessdate = 2008-12-19}}
| first =
{{cite web
| last =
| authorlink =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Map of the area around Pitmilly
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| work =
| publisher = Geograph British Isles
| title = William de Malveisin
| work =
| date = 2008
| url = http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=4706852
| publisher =
| date =
| format =
| doi =
| url =http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_de_Malveisin
| accessdate = 2008-12-28}}
| format =
*{{cite web
| doi =
| last =
| accessdate =2008-12-24}}
| first =
| authorlink =
{{cite web
| coauthors =
| last = Macintyre
| title = Pitmilly Hotel, Fife (1964)
| first = L.
| authorlink =
| work =
| coauthors =
| publisher = Flickr
| date =
| title = Pitmilly House, by Boarhills: 'Poltergeist Manor'
| url = http://www.flickr.com/photos/29745461@N03/3004392580/in/photostream/.
| work =
| publisher =
| format =
| date = 2008-10
| doi =
| accessdate = 2008-12-29}}
| url = http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/Non-degreecourses/OpenAssociation/Fridayeveningprogramme/
*{{Citation
| format =
| doi =
| last =
| first =
| accessdate = 2008-12-27}}
| author-link =
| title = Pitmilly House, from Millar (Fife) in Scotland’s Lost Country Houses
{{cite web
| last = Sewell
| date =
| first = R.
| year =
| url =http://www.slch.org.uk/images/pitmilly_house.jpg
| authorlink =
| accessdate = 2008-12-27}}
| coauthors =
*{{Citation
| title = Monypenny of Pitmilly
| work =
| last = Beatson
| publisher =
| first = J.
| date =
| author-link =
| title = Parish of Kingsbarns (County of Fife )
| url = http://www.robertsewell.ca/monypenny.html#gen15.
| journal = The Statistical Accounts of Scotland, 1791-1799
| format =
| doi =
| volume =
| issue =
| accessdate = 2008-12-26}}
| pages = 254

| date =
{{cite web
| last =
| year = 1791-1799
| url = http://edina.ac.uk//stat-acc-scot/? Retrieved on 2008-12-19.
| first =
| authorlink =
| doi =
| coauthors =
| id = }}
*{{Citation
| title =
| work =
| last = Wright
| first = G.
| publisher = Geograph British Isles
| date = 2008
| author-link =
| title = Parish of Kingsbarns
| url = http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=4706852
| journal = The New Statistical Accounts of Scotland, 1834-1845
| format =
| doi =
| volume =
| issue =
| accessdate = 2008-12-28}}
| pages = 92

| date =
{{cite web
| last =
| year = 1834-1845
| url = http://edina.ac.uk//stat-acc-scot/? Retrieved 2008-12-19
| first =
| authorlink =
| doi =
| coauthors =
| id = }}
*{{Citation
| title = Pitmilly Hotel, Fife (1964)
| work =
| last = Skinner
| publisher = Flickr
| first = R.
| date =
| author-link =
| title = Notice of Excavations at Pitmilly Law, and Elsewhere on the South-East Coast of Fife
| url = http://www.flickr.com/photos/29745461@N03/3004392580/in/photostream/.
| journal = Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
| format =
| doi =
| volume =8
| issue =
| accessdate = 2008-12-29}}
| pages = 55-58

| date =
{{Citation
| last =
| year = 1869
| url = http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_008/8_055_058.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-12-24.
| first =
| author-link =
| doi =
| last2 =
| id = }}
*{{Citation
| first2 =
| last = Skinner
| author2-link =
| first = R.
| title = Pitmilly House, from Millar (Fife) in Scotland’s Lost Country Houses
| date =
| author-link =
| title = Note of stone kists recently discovered in the neighbourhood of St Andrews.
| year =
| journal = Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
| url = www.slch.org.uk/images/pitmilly_house.jpg
| volume = 7
| accessdate = 2008-12-27.}}
| issue =

| pages = 255-6
{{Citation
| last = Beatson
| date =
| first = J.
| year = 1867
| url = http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_007/7_255_256.pdf Retrieved on 12/24/2008-12-24.
| author-link =
| last2 =
| doi =
| first2 =
| id = }}
| author2-link =
| title = Parish of Kingsbarns (County of Fife )
| journal = The Statistical Accounts of Scotland, 1791-1799
| volume =
| issue =
| pages = 254
| date =
| year = 1791-1799
| url = http://edina.ac.uk//stat-acc-scot/? Retrieved on 2008-12-19.
| doi =
| id = }}

{{Citation
| last = Wright
| first = G.
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = Parish of Kingsbarns
| journal = The New Statistical Accounts of Scotland, 1834-1845
| volume =
| issue =
| pages = p92
| date =
| year = 1834-1845
| url = http://edina.ac.uk//stat-acc-scot/? Retrieved 2008-12-19
| doi =
| id = }}

{{Citation
| last = Skinner
| first = R.
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = Notice of Excavations at Pitmilly Law, and Elsewhere on the South-East Coast of Fife
| journal = Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
| volume =8
| issue =
| pages = 55-58
| date =
| year = 1869
| url = http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_008/8_055_058.pdf. Retrieved on 2008-12-24.
| doi =
| id = }}

{{Citation
| last = Skinner
| first = R.
| author-link =
| last2 =
| first2 =
| author2-link =
| title = Note of stone kists recently discovered in the neighbourhood of St Andrews.
| journal = Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
| volume = 7
| issue =
| pages = 255-6
| date =
| year = 1867
| url = http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/PSAS_2002/pdf/vol_007/7_255_256.pdf Retrieved on 12/24/2008-12-24.
| doi =
| id = }}

Revision as of 10:50, 20 January 2009

Pitmilly is the site of a former estate located five miles south-east of St Andrews, Scotland. Its historical significance is threefold. It has been inhabited from ancient times; artifacts continue to be recovered from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages and a well-known barrow (burial mound) Tumulus from the Bronze Age still exists there. It is connected to Clan Hay in that Eva of Pitmilly, the Celtic heiress to these lands, married William II de la Haya, a Norman, in the 12th century C.E., with the couple becoming the progenitors of that Scottish clan. Finally, for over seven centuries, it was owned by the important Moneypenny family [1][2].

Pitmilly Lands

The name, Pitmilly or Pitmillie, has been used for centuries, but many variants occured in earlier times. These include Petmullin, Pitmulin, Pethmolyn, and Pitmaulin. They probably reflect the P-Celtic P-Celtic and Q-Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, Scots Scots language and Latin languages, coupled with no great desire for consistency in spelling and the modification of place names that occurs so often. The prefix pit is derived from the P-Celtic word, pett, [3] meaning a piece of land, and is very common in place-names in this part of Scotland. The second part of the name means mill, regardless of its various forms. Pitmilly means, therefore, a piece of land by the mill(s), and indeed, there are still ruined mills at Pitmilly.

The Pitmilly Lands lie on both sides of the Pitmilly Burn, a stream that joins the larger Kenly Water, just before the latter reaches the North Sea between Craig Hartle and Babbet Ness on the east Fife coast. The lands on the east side of the Pitmilly Burn border that sea. In order to define further the Pitmilly Lands as they have been known through the centuries, it is helpful to note that in the early 20th century, before it was broken up, the Pitmilly estate consisted of the manor house with its grounds, known as Pitmilly House, several farms, a flax mill and a grist mill, both of which may have been ruins then, and a fisherman's bothy. The farms, all of which are identified on the 2008 Ordnance Survey map, are Boghall, Falside, Hillhead, Morton of Pitmilly and Kilduncan. A possible source of confusion is that the Kenly Water has sometimes been known, and shown on maps, as Pitmilly Burn, but it seems clear that the Pitmilly Burn of the Pitmilly Lands is the tributary stream.

A study of the cartography of the region from 1642 on [4] [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]is interesting because it shows the different naming of Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water by individual mapmakers. In one map the two streams reach the North Sea separately. It also shows that the manor house at Pitmilly must have been built before 1775, and that the present farms in the region have existed for a long time, with the same names. One map refers to Pitmilly mills in the plural, which explains why two different mills have sometimes individually been referred to as Pitmilly Mill. The spelling of Pitmilly varies only slightly. In addition to Pitmilly, the name is found as Pitmilli, Pitmil (possibly as an abbreviation) and Pit Mille. The family name, Moneypenny, appears on a map in 1775.

History before the arrival of the Normans

Artifacts have been recovered from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages, indicating that Pitmilly has been inhabited since at least the Neolithic Age. Beatson[14] and Wright[15], in TheStatistical Accounts of Scotland of 1791-99 and 1834-45, respectively, described stone coffins, containing human bones, on the shore of Kingsbarns parish, which includes Pitmilly. They stated that the tombs were thought to be of Danes, i.e., Viking raiders, but Beatson appears dubious. From these descriptions, there is no doubt that the tombs were really Bronze Age cists. Pitmilly Law, a Bronze Age burial barrow, now with trees growing on its summit, is a local landmark on the Pitmilly estate. An article by Skinner in 1869 discusses the finding of six empty cists there[16]. In 1867, he had discussed nearby cists on the Pitmilly estate that contained skeletons[17]. Recently, an early Bronze Age cist was discovered just outside the ruins of Pitmilly House during road work; it contained a skeleton and a food vessel of the Yorkshire vase tradition[18]. A Neolithic carved stone ball stone balls was recovered in 2006 near Pitmilly Law[19].

There appears to be no historical record, specifically, of Pitmilly from the Bronze Age to when the Normans arrived in Scotland. The Picts lived and farmed there, as nearby St Andrew developed into an important ecclesiastical center. Robert Sibbald[20], writing in 1710 , states that there were some obelisks of rough stone on higher ground, just south of the former site of Inchmurtach, a country residence of the Bishop of St Andrews Archbishop of St Andrews, and now the site of Kenlygreen. That location would presumably place them on the Pitmilly Estate. He quotes "the great antiquary, Mr. Maule", as believing that these were the monuments of some great men killed in battle with the Danes. This conclusion may be valid because the Danes (Vikings) frequently invaded these shores. However, it is also possible that the stones were menhirs erected by the Picts. Such stones are common in Scotland.

Eva of Pitmilly and Clan Hay

The first record of Pitmilly appears to be when the Norman, William II de la Haya, the first recorded de la Haya in Scotland, married Eva of Pitmilly no later than 1171[21]. Nothing is known about Eva, except that she was the Celtic heiress to the lands of Pitmilly and to other lands on the north of the Tay estuary. However, this marriage of a Norman knight to a Celtic landowner was important because it was the beginning of the Scoto-Norman family that became Clan Hay. The short-lived connection of the Hays to Pitmilly ended in 1171 when the couple gave the Pitmilly lands to the Prior of St Andrews to support a hospital for pilgrims[22].[23][24][25] Nothing remains at Pitmilly of whatever residence Eva's family occupied there.

Pitmilly under the Moneypennys

The centuries-long association of the Monypennys with Pitmilly began in 1211, when Thomas, Prior of St Andrews, granted a charter of the lands of Pitmilly to Richard Monipennie, quam Malisius tennit[26]. The former was probably a Norman knight, while Malisius may be the Latin form of Malvoisine, the Bishop of St Andrews at that time[27] and the Prior's superior. In 1296, along with the other Scots gentry and landowners, John de Monypenny of Pitmilly signed the so-called Ragman roll by which he swore fealty solely to King Edward 1 of England[28]. Had he not done so, he would have forfeited his lands and suffered other severe penalties. There appears to be little historical record of Pitmilly, as opposed to the Moneypenny family, during the following centuries. Sibbald [29], writing in 1710, notes the existence of the house, one mile east of Kingsbarns, of a very ancient family of the name of Monipenny. The date when Pitmilly House, which presumably replaced or substantially modified the house mentioned by Sibbald, and its grounds were built is not known, but it obviously was constructed during the Georgian Era (1714-1830), the age of grand country houses, because it was a typical Georgian mansion Georgian architecture[30]. It must have been built before 1775 because Ainslie[31], in that year, depicts on his map the square area of the grounds and house, labeling them as "Pitmilly Coll and "Moneypenny". Pitmilly is not mentioned in either the 1791-99 Statistical Account of Scotland[32] or in the New Statistical Account, published between 1834 and 1845[33]. However, Slater's Directory[34], circa 1852, mentions Pitmilly as a very ancient seat in the northern part of Kingsbarns parish, while the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland in 1865[35]notes the presence of Pitmilly as an estate with a mansion. The last Moneypenny to live at Pitmilly was Charlton James Blackwell Moneypenny, 1867-1947, who immigrated to South America, apparently sometime after 1886[36]when he is still identified as the owner.[37]. The Monypenny family later sold Pitmilly House and the farms on the estate[38].

Pitmilly after the Monypennys

Pitmilly House was taken over during World War II as a billet for WRENS Women’s Royal Naval Service;[39][40] one source stated that it housed Italian prisoners of war. After the war it operated as a hotel [41]under several owners, but ultimately these businesses failed and the house, which was said to be haunted by a particularly active poltergeist [42], deteriorated badly. It burned in 1967[43], with much of the building material subsequently being salvaged to build houses in Kingsbarns. Pitmilly now exists as good agricultural land, with the farms of the former estate still operating. Of these, Morton of Pitmilly has been renovated as a self-catering holiday resort. The most important landmark is Pitmilly Law. The ruins of two mills and of a fisherman's bothy on the estate remain. Hillhead Mill was a grist mill, on which the date 1716 is still evident, and is located at the junction of Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water. Crail Mill was a flax mill with an adjacent miller’s house (which still bears the date 1790), located a few hundred yards upstream from Hillhead Mill. There is a large, marshy pond to the west of the miller’s house, probably representing the retting pond for the flax. Some confusion in nomenclature exists because both mills have on occasion been referred to individually as Pitmilly Mill. Little of Pitmilly House itself is left. Pitmilly West, built in 1975 on the site of the west gate house, operates as bed and breakfast. The other three gatehouses, the walls surrounding the grounds, pathways through the grounds, as well as ruins of the stables and the bowling alley remain. The Gate Lodge has been refurbished to a high standard; the East Lodge is in its original, Georgian, condition, while South Lodge is completely ruinous. Several photographs of the Pitmilly area as it is now can be found on Geograph British Isles at Grid Square NO5713 and adjacent squares[44]

Notes

  1. ^ Balfour 1909,p.275.
  2. ^ Black 1946, p.609.
  3. ^ Roberts 1997, p.10.
  4. ^ The earliest map, a 1642 manuscript map by James Gordon, which was subsequently published in 1654 as an engraving by Joan Blaeu , identifies "Pitmilli" ("Pitmilly" on Blaue's map) and shows both Pitmilly Burn and Kenly Water, without naming them. Blaue's map appeared in his Atlas of Scotland, the first publication of its kind. Herman Moll, in his 1745 map, identifies "Pitmil" and shows both burns without naming them on the land. However, he notes "Pit Mille Burne" at the mouth of Kenly water. In 1775, Ainslie identifies "Pitmilly Burnmouth" at the mouth of Kenly Water. He depicts that burn, but obviously considers it to be Pitmilly Burn; he does not show Pitmilly Burn, the smaller stream. Interestingly, he depicts the square area of Pitmilly House and grounds, labeling them as "Pitmilly Coll." and "Moneypenny". The farms, Hillhead, Falside, which is shown near the mouth of the two burns, Moortown, Kilduncan, Donaldton and Boghall are marked. The same names are identified on another map by Ainslie(Fife and Kinross), but are harder to read. Greenwood et al.,in 1828, also show the extent of the Pitmilly House grounds, labeling them as "Pitmilly". They show the two burns, but label neither on land; at the coast they note "Kenlywater Mouth." Moreover, Greenwood et al. label clearly the farms identified by Ainslie but Moortown has become Morton and Falside is spelled Fallside and is shown considerably further inland. A few years later, Thomson and Johnson, in 1832, show Kenly Water and Pitmilly Burn reaching the North Sea separately, but identify neither on land. However, at the coast they note "Pitmilly Burn Mouth" They also show the Pitmilly House grounds, labeling the area as "Pitmilly". They identify Hillhead, Morton, Donaldton and Kilduncan farms, as well as Pitmilly Mills, notably in the plural. In the 1926 Ordnance Survey Map, Pitmilly and the manor house grounds are shown, as are all the farms previously mentioned, except for Donaldson. The two burns are shown, but not labeled. In the 2008 version, Pitmilly House, Pitmilly Law, Hillhead, Falside (spelled with one l), Morton, Boghall, and Kilduncan are all noted. The two burns are named appropriately. An interesting feature is the identification of only one mill in the area. This is shown as "Pitmilly Mill", but that structure is also known as Crail Mill. Actually, there is another mill, Hillhead Mill, in Pitmilly and it also has been called Pitmilly Mill.
  5. ^ Gordon 1642
  6. ^ Blaeu 1654
  7. ^ Moll 1745
  8. ^ Ainslie 1775 Fife
  9. ^ Ainslie 1745 Fife and Kinross
  10. ^ Greenwood 1823
  11. ^ Thomson and Johnson 1832
  12. ^ Ordnance Survey 1926
  13. ^ Ordnance Survey 2008
  14. ^ Beatson between 1791 and 1799
  15. ^ Wright between 1834 and 1845
  16. ^ Skinner 1869
  17. ^ Skinner 1867
  18. ^ Bronze Age food vessel www.historyscotland.com 2008
  19. ^ TT.103/06
  20. ^ Sibbald 1710, p.348
  21. ^ Balfour 1906, pp.555-7
  22. ^ Diplomata No.25. Referenced in Balfour 1906, pp.555-7
  23. ^ The statement by Wilkie that the lands of Pitmilly were given to the Church by Ada de Warenne is incorrect. The lands that she gave to the Church were around Haddington where she lived, not Pitmilly, and she did not own the Pitmilly lands. The gift of the Pitmilly lands to the Church by William and Eva is well–established.
  24. ^ Wilkie 1931, p.318
  25. ^ Wikipedia, Ada de Warenne, 2008
  26. ^ Sibbald 1710, p.348
  27. ^ Wikipedia, William de Malveisin 2008
  28. ^ Connolly 1866, p.337
  29. ^ Sibbald 1710, p.348
  30. ^ Pitmilly House, from Millar,retrieved 2008
  31. ^ Ainslie, County of Fife 1775
  32. ^ Beatson between 1791 and 1799
  33. ^ Wright between 1834 and1845
  34. ^ Slater 1852, p.?
  35. ^ Groome 1833-6, p.206
  36. ^ Sewell 2008
  37. ^ Groome 1833-6, p.206.
  38. ^ Macintyre 2008
  39. ^ Women who were stationed there have confirmed this.
  40. ^ The information in this section is mainly from local sources
  41. ^ Pitmilly Hotel, Fife, 1964 www.flickr.com/photos
  42. ^ Macintyre 2008
  43. ^ Macintyre 2008
  44. ^ Geograph British Isles 2008. The local beach is unofficially called Pitmilly Beach.

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pitmilly&oldid=265263966"