Historic Book

Extract from “The Fife coast from Queensferry to Fifeness” by Henry Brougham Farnie

Published in 1860

Pages 185-186

Kilrenny – of old spelt Kilrethny – is derived from the name of that good Bishop of Lyons , St Irenæus , to whom the original church was dedicated . The appellation was soon clipped to St Irenie – then St Renny , and the pregnant syllable ” Kil ” being prefixed , you have the present noun , Kilrenny . Cellardyke is the popular name of Nether Kilrenny , which is , in fact , the fishing quarter of Anstruther , being only separated from it by a little burn . The first fishers of Kilrenny , long ago , used to live in the locality of the church , up the hill , a mile or so east from Anstruther . They worked as field labourers , or at other land occupations , the greater part of the year , and only went out in their boats for the ” Lammas drave ” – that is , the summer season of herring fishing . But down by the hill , behind the sea dyke , and close to the beach , they had cellars where they kept their nets and fish ; hence arose the name which afterwards came to signify a large and important community .

Upper Kilrenny is a mere trifle. The church is rather a pretty edifice , owing much to its situation , and is surrounded by a graveyard with some stately mausolea.

Cellardyke consists mainly of a long rambling street , and possesses a small harbour .

We have summarised the fishing statistics of Cellardyke in the beginning of the article ; and in respect of the habits , manners , and so forth , of the inhabitants themselves , there is no striking difference between them and those other fishing villages which have already been described . ( See Buckhaven and St Monance . )

It is said , however , that the fishermen of Cellardyke , whilst they are as hardy , as toilsome, and as successful as their brethren west the coast , do not commonly display in their private life the same regard to prudent economy which is characteristic of the others .

A great many ” cadgers ” – that well known race in story – drive their fish carts from Cellardyke . Rough , reckless , loud – voiced fellows they are , galloping their covered carts uproariously into quiet country villages , their big blue bonnets pulled belligerently down the nape of their neck – ready for any thing , from selling a herring , up to engaging in single combat with the customer who is inclined to higgle a little about the price .