Coordinates: 56°10′39″N 3°01′49″W / 56.177633, -3.030323
Buckhaven is an old coastal fishing town on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, UK, situated in Wemyss parish, on the Firth of Forth between East Wemyss and Methil. Its inhabitants sometimes refer to it as Buckhind. Buckhaven was originally settled by Norsemen and the word Buckhaven is old Norse language meaning "roaring harbour".
According to the latest (2006) estimates, the population including Methil stands at around 16,240: however, the Buckhaven settlement area including Kennoway, Leven and Windygates has a combined population of around 31,410.[2]
Once a thriving weaving village and fishing port, it was reported as having in 1831 the second-largest fishing fleet in Scotland with a total of 198 boats. The fishing declined during the 19th century, but in the 1860s Buckhaven developed as a mining town. Although coal waste blackened its beaches and silted up its harbour, it later became a Fife coast holiday resort. Nowadays, it is classed as one of Fife's 'Regeneration areas' in need of regeneration socially and economically.
Said to be descended from Norsemen who settled there in the 9th century, its fisherfolk bought an Episcopal Church in St Andrews in 1869 and transported it stone by stone to Buckhaven. Restored in the 1980s, this building was converted into a theatre.
Buckhaven Museum has displays on the history of the fishing industry
Buckhaven is on the Fife Coastal Path, and near to Wemyss Caves and Largo Bay.
Notable people
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