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Storm leaves trail of destruction in its wake.

Thanks Anne and Hamish, getting my photos on now.


By Aileen Robertson

MANY FIFE residents awoke yesterday to scenes of destruction caused by Tuesday’s fierce weather and high tides—and one well-loved local celebrity was missing at sea.

Kinghorn folk were particularly badly hit, with the storm causing landslides and pulling caravans into the sea. Strong easterly winds combined with high tides were blamed for the carnage.

And staff at St Andrews Aquarium yesterday appealed for the public’s help to trace Hardy the seal, who went missing at the height of the storm on Tuesday.

The staff are hopeful that the 18-year-old common seal might return to the area once calmer weather resumes and they have appealed to the public to look out for him.

The centre’s displays supervisor Ryan Milne said yesterday, “Hardy virtually surfed out of his seal pool. Normally there would be no problems as the enclosure is perfectly adequate.

“However, the exceptionally high tide combined with the gale-force wind resulted in violent sea conditions with 15 to 20 feet high swells and it was during this time that Hardy got out.”

Along with his long-time companion Laurel, the missing seal has been at the aquarium for some 15 years and is a popular attraction.

Ryan said, “We hope that he will eventually come close to the shore and we would ask for members of the public to be on the alert. The more eyes out there the better.”

However, he stressed that anyone spotting Hardy should not approach the animal or attempt to touch him.

“Seals can give a nasty bite,” he said. “We would just ask that if anyone sees Hardy they contact us at the aquarium on 01334 474786.”

The complex itself was battered by the heavy seas and the fencing and decking on the seafront property were destroyed, while the steps leading down to the beach were washed away.

However, the aquarium remained open for business.

Earlier, villagers described how the Kinghorn drama unfolded.

As the water rose waves crashed on to windows and debris—including a three-piece suite from an ill-fated caravan—bobbed in the surf.

At Kinghorn Harbour Holiday Park two caravans disappeared over the cliff as waves battered the sea wall.

Thankfully they were unoccupied at the time.

Tom Wallace owns Kinghorn Harbour and Pettycur Bay caravan parks and he said, “We lost two caravans to the sea. One fell into the sea roundabout 3.30pm at high tide and another one went through the night.

“It was there when I went down at 3am and when I went down at 4am it was away.

“Caravans can be replaced, walls can be replaced, but as long as no one has been hurt, that’s the main thing.

“The waves, I would have to say, were at least 35 to 40 feet high and were landing 50 feet back from the wall. The seawater was landing on caravans at the back.

“I’ve spent most of today just trying to look after the clients but I’ve got to get this place up and running again.

“I’ve had staff down there making the place safe and we’ve had specialists out advising us on how best to repair the wall.”

Mary Hope (64), who lives for most of the year in a caravan that has now been towed up the hill at Kinghorn Harbour Holiday Park, told The Courier how she had to jump over a “moat” that had encircled her home.

“The sea was getting fiercer and fiercer,” she said. “The water usually hits the wall and we get spray but it started coming over the wall and was about four or five feet deep around the caravan.

“I still thought I could sit it out but then the electricity went off. Then I realised empty gas bottles from next door were floating about, then the next thing my own were floating about and mine were full.

“I opened the door and realised the decking was gone.”

While Ms Hope jumped to safety her 11-year-old collie Toby had to swim for it. She is now staying in a friend’s caravan at the site.

Meanwhile, beside Kinghorn harbour beach sandbags were piled up at people’s doors.

When the tide reached six metres on Tuesday water flooded into homes and sent huge pieces of driftwood and other debris sailing dangerously towards windows and doors.

Carol Morton (47), who has lived right at the beach with her family since 1984, said she had never seen the waves at her door before.

Having spent the night away from her home because of the flood, she described how she had to time her exit carefully to avoid the treacherous tide, while also trying to steer clear of the three-piece suite that had been washed into the water.

Along the beach front at Kinghorn Lifeboat Station the force of the water caused substantial damage to the station’s door, which is now supported by bits of wood. The lifeboat itself is fine but it will be out of action until the door is fixed.

Joanne Wibberley from station said, “We were lucky. The door’s broken and, OK, we can’t go out to service, but nothing else has been broken.”

A number of benches were pulled into the water and, sadly, among them was a memorial to Charlie Tulloch who started the village’s lifeboat service.

His son, who is also called Charlie and recently retired as lifeboat operations manager, was scouring the beach in the hope of finding the plaque.

There was also damage in Anstruther, with a house in Shore Street losing part of its gable wall.

At Pettycur Bay a fishing hut fell into the estuary and a number of others were badly damaged.

Gordon McAndrew (42) of Kirkcaldy had his hut flooded and said, “It all kicked off at 3pm. The hut I use with the kids, that’s been there for at least 25 years, maybe 30.”

Travellers were also affected. Trains on the Fife Circle were diverted through Cowdenbeath because the line at Kinghorn was blocked by a landslide.

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Ooops, can't get more than one on a post, never mind, here's the other on, both from the Fife Free Press...disregard this post haha it was in the wrong format.