Buckhaven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buckhaven
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 The Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital, Buckhaven |
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 Buckhaven
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| Population | 4,050 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NT361988 |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Leven |
| Postcode district | KY8 |
| Dialling code | 01592 |
| Police | Fife |
| Fire | Fife |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Buckhaven is a town on the east coast of Fife, Scotland. It sits right by the Firth of Forth, a large bay. You can find it between the towns of East Wemyss and Methil. Buckhaven is also part of the Fife Coastal Path, a popular walking route. It is close to the interesting Wemyss Caves and the beautiful Largo Bay.
Contents
Buckhaven's Past
What Does the Name Buckhaven Mean?
The name Buckhaven probably comes from old Scots words. Buck or bukk means "to gush out" or "to pour forth". Haven means "harbour" or "port". This might describe the coastal waters here. The name "fishers of Buckhaven" was first written down in 1527.
From Fishing to Mining
Buckhaven was once a busy village known for weaving and fishing. In 1831, it had the second-largest fishing fleet in Scotland. There were 198 boats in total. But fishing started to decline in the 1800s.
By the 1860s, Buckhaven became more of a mining town. Coal mining brought jobs, but it also changed the area. Coal waste made the beaches black. It also filled up the harbour, which no longer exists. Later, Buckhaven became a holiday spot for local people. Today, it is a "Regeneration area" in Fife. This means it is working to improve its social and economic life.
Early Settlers in Buckhaven
In 1778, a local minister wrote about the people of Buckhaven. He said that the first people in Buckhaven might have come from the Netherlands. This was around the time of Philip II of Spain, who died in 1598. Their ship had been stranded on the shore. They decided to stay and settle down. The Wemyss family gave them permission to live there.
Over time, they learned the local language and adopted Scottish clothes. For many years, they were known as sensible, hardworking, and honest people. One special custom they had was a fancy belt. Brides would wear this belt at their wedding. Then they would pass it on to the next bride who was worthy of the honour. At that time, the village had about 140 families. About 60 of these families were fishers. The rest were farm workers, weavers, and other craftspeople.
People in nearby towns thought the people of Buckhaven spoke and acted differently. This led to stories about their foreign origins. For example, a Dane named Paul Buk was mentioned in 1652. Such meetings might have made people believe Buckhaven was a foreign place.
How to Say Buckhaven
The name Buckhaven is usually said as /bʌkˈhevən/. But locally, people often say /bʌkˈhain/. This local pronunciation even gave a pub in Buckhaven its name: The Buck and Hind.
A Church Moved by Fisherfolk
Some people believe that Buckhaven's fishing community came from Norsemen. These were people from Scandinavia who settled in the area in the 800s. Centuries later, in 1869, the fisherfolk of Buckhaven bought a church. It was an Episcopal Church in St Andrews. They took it apart stone by stone. Then they used their fishing boats to move all the stones to Buckhaven.
The church was put back together in Buckhaven. In the 1980s, it was repaired and turned into a theatre. The building is still owned by the Buckhaven Parish Church.
Buckhaven Museum
The Buckhaven Museum has exhibits about the history of the fishing industry. It's a great place to learn about the town's past.
Population of Buckhaven
How Many People Live Here?
In 2006, estimates suggested that the population of Buckhaven and Methil together was about 16,240 people. The wider Levenmouth area includes other villages like Kennoway, Leven, the Wemyss villages, Largo Bay, and Windygates. This larger area had a combined population of around 37,410 people. According to the 2011 Census, the population of Buckhaven, Methil, and Leven combined was 24,474.
Famous People from Buckhaven
Many notable people have come from Buckhaven. Here are a few:
- James Ireland Craig FRSE: A scientist who studied weather.
- Robert Dunsire: A brave soldier who received the Victoria Cross award.
- Frank O'Donnell: A professional football player.
- Hugh O'Donnell: Also a professional football player and Frank's brother.
- John Houston: A talented artist.
- William Gear: Another well-known artist.
- David McLean (footballer, born 1884): A Scottish football player and manager.
See also
In Spanish: Buckhaven para niños
