MONAN'S-ST, a fishingtown, in the parish of AberCROMBiE,
county of Fife, 1 mile (W. S. W.) from the town
of Pittenweem; containing 1029 inhabitants. This place,
which is situated on the Firth of Forth, is now generally
pronounced St. Monance. It seems to have
owed its origin to a chapel, raised by David IL in gratitude
for himself
and his queen from shipwreck on this part of the coast,
and which, upon the annexation of the barony of Monan's
to the lands of Abercrombie, became the church of the
two united parishes. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged
in the cod, haddock, and turbot fishery, and the
herring-fishery, of which this is one of the most important
stations on the eastern coast of Scotland. Herrings
are taken in the winter and autumn within a moderate
distance of the harbour; but the principal fishery, formerly
at Caithness, has of late years been at Peterhead,
where sixty boats from St. Monan's of about fifteen tons'
burthen each are engaged, affording employment to about
150 persons betonging to the town, and a like number
from the country district. The cod, haddock, and turbot
fishery is also carried on to a considerable extent, about
twenty-six yawls, each manned with a crew of six,
being engaged in it throughout the year, with the exception
of a few weeks in winter and autumn, when the
large boats are used in the herring-fishery. Many
persons are occupied in curing and packing cod for
exportation, chiefly to the London and Liverpool markets:
turbot and haddocks, also, are sent in large
quantities to Edinburgh and places adjacent. The manufacture
of kelp, at one time a very profitable trade,
has been altogether discontinued. A number of persons
are engaged in making nets for the fishermen; and there
is a very extensive brewery and malting concern. St.
Monan's harbour, which is formed by the extension of
two parallel ridges of rock, and by a strong pier carried
out from the shore, is safe and commodious, affording
good shelter for the fishing-boats and for vessels of
larger dimensions; the depth at spring-tides is from
eighteen to twenty feet, and at neap-tides from thirteen
to fifteen feet. The principal exports are, cured cod,
herrings, and potatoes; and the chief imports, coal,
lime, and salt. St. Monan's received a charter of incorporation
from Sir William Sandilands, dated 1622, by
which it was erected into a burgh of barony, and the
government vested in three bailies, a treasurer, and
fifteen councillors. The bailies are chosen by the feuars
and burgesses, and after their election appoint the
council; and twelve constables are chosen annually by
the corporation, for the preservation of the peace and
the regulation of the town. The bailies exercise little
jurisdiction except in cases of petty misdemeanors.
The town-house, a plain building, consists of two apartments
on the ground-floor and two immediately above.  See Abercrombie.