Fife Council has firmly rejected claims it is not doing enough to safeguard the historic Wemyss caves.
After a meeting of the Wemyss Caves Working Group, Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance has expressed concern about the council’s position statement on coastal defence works and the Wemyss Caves.
But the council stressed it recognised their importance and is working to ensure this part of Scottish history is “interpreted”.
Mr Torrance said: “I am dismayed by Fife Council’s decision not to protect the part of the coastline where the caves are situated.
“The importance of the caves lies not only in their history in that they contain more historically significant markings than all other caves in Britain put together but in the potential, if marketed correctly, to help boost the local economy.”
Fife Council pointed out responsibility for the coastal defences at Wemyss Caves sits with the landowner and not the council.
Quoting a leading academic who hailed the caves “a truly unique phenomenon”, Mr Torrance said: “A lot of hard work has been undertaken in the past few years by the Save the Wemyss Ancient Caves Society and volunteers, and recent harsh winters have resulted in even greater erosion, which threatens to destroy the caves.
“I am disappointed that the stance taken by Fife Council does not seem to favour further expenditure on coastal defence works at the caves in order to protect them for posterity.
“Do they want to see them lost forever? If not, I would ask them to review their decision and work with Wemyss Caves Working Group to try to find a solution.”
He said it is important the council remembers that interest in the caves is not confined to the area’s residents.
Levenmouth area service manager David Paterson said: “Fife Council recognises the importance of the Wemyss Caves and is working closely with the Save the Wemyss Ancient Caves Society and other partners in the working group.
“We will continue to work with the group on the management plan for the caves, to ensure this important part of Scottish history is fully interpreted.
“Responsibility for coastal defences at Wemyss Caves sits with the landowner and not the council.”