Zig-Zag Pier

A photographic gem, and beautiful symbol of St Monans, the Zig-Zag Pier is nothing short of mysterious. Despite its name as a pier, 'The Blocks' is in fact a breakwater, a barrier built out into the sea to protect a coast or harbour from the force of waves. Considering the main elements of St Monans rely on the sea, it is more than understandable that the Zig-Zag Pier or 'The Blocks' was constructed by none other than Robert Stevenson, a well-known civil engineer of the early 1800's, who was also responsible for the construction of many important Scottish Lighthouses.

It could be suggested that 'The Blocks' took its nickname from its ability, as a breakwater, to 'block' strong currents and waves from damaging the idyllic fisherhouses, merchanthouses, and boats that helped the village thrive and come to life. It is also notable that lives could have been lost if the Zig-Zag Pier was not present, especially during stormy sea conditions, so is a vital breakwater.

Nowadays, the village thrives on a balance of the tourism, catering, fishing, and lodging industries, in and around the locality. The Zig-Zag Pier is, in fact, a great magnet for tourists, and photographers, who plan to visit St Monans and the East Neuk of Fife. It is estimated that the pier, alongside other landmarks of the village, brings thousands of visitors annually to St Monans.

As a magazine, we are very lucky to have 3 oustanding pictures of the pier taken by some of our viewers, Ian Craig, Diane Ward, and Kirsty Macartney. However, these are just some of the many photos taken of the iconic pier every day.

The Zig-Zag Pier is nothing short of a photographer's dream. Due to the pier's obvious sea positioning, the structure is often wet, allowing light to reflect from it's edges at different times of day, making for the best shots at sunrise, high noon, and sunset. Also, the structure is a simple shot to capture, yet it is a complex composition to view (a great subject for beginner photographers, and all levels too, due to ease of access and sheer beauty).

Photographers can be seen out in all weathers, and at every hour, racing to capture striking photographs of the pier.

Shown here is a view of the Zig-Zag Pier from a different angle. This shot really helps us to put into perspective just how large the breakwater actually is, as different depths of shots and focal lengths really can change how the pier looks to our eye, and this picture shows the absolute scale of the structure, and that the walkway across is as thin as it looks.

Unfortunately, like many beautiful sights, they come with their dangers. On stormy days, the  Zig-Zag Pier can be battered with incredibly strong sea winds and waves. Without a rail to hold on to whilst walking along the structure, it can be a danger to life.

If one plans to explore this gem, come on as clear and as beautiful a day as possible.

As well as serving as a breakwater, the Zig-Zag Pier is also home to an emergency bell, which was used as a fog-warner for nearing boats, and could also serve as an alarm for someone in water distress around the harbour. Health and safety is so important in a seaside village, so every precaution was taken to ensure that these regulations could be followed in St Monans.

Some other main precautions in the surrounding area of the Zig-Zag Pier are the presence of a thick stone sea wall; which protects walkers on the main piers from any large or unexpected waves, and of course, the sea winds that come and go, and a ladder that must be used to climb over the wall to access the 'Zig-Zag Pier'. In the photo below, the railings of the ladder are just visible on the silhouette of the Sea Wall.