For centuries, the people of Levenmouth lived a humble life. They would have been farmers growing things such as wheat, barley, and vegetables. There was also a rich fishing industry here.
But it wasn’t until the end of the 1700’s brought the industrial revolution that things really started to change. Prior to this time, coal mining was done on a small scale for local usage – heating homes to boil water and so on. But now there was factories to power and steam trains to fuel and the hunt was on for coal rich places throughout the United Kingdom.
Across the road once stood the Innerleven hotel, built to accommodate commercial travellers who were doing business in the area. They may have been buying or selling goods, taking orders, and gathering information; these are the days before everybody had a telephone.
Innerleven is perhaps the most renamed place in Fife having been called Cold Coits, Salt-Grieves and now known as Dubbieside.
Behind you is Methil Docks. Formerly, this was one of the largest ports in Scotland carrying coal, wood-pulp for paper and much more. Today it home to East Fife Football Club, BRAG Enterprises, a renewable energy centre and a number of businesses including Stuart’s bakery – pop down for a cream cake on your journey!
Continue along the road, using the crossing and taking the junction.
