Priest Cove (Cornish: Porth Ust, meaning St Just's Cove) or Priest's Cove is a small cove one mile (1.6 km) west of St Just, Cornwall, UK.[1] The name is from the Cornish Porth Ust, the port or cove of St Just, which was shortened to Por’ Ust. The apostrophised name "Priest’s" is a spelling mistake and the site has no connection with the clergy.[2]
In around 1830, cellars were erected for the purpose of establishing a pilchard fishery. The speculation was abandoned owing to the exposed coast.[5] A small fishing fleet is based at Priests Cove, and for example, pollack (Pollachius pollachius) were landed in December 1879.[6]
Recreation
Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) out to sea are the Brisons, a pair of small islands to which an annual swim is held. In 1881 the Cape Cornwall Regatta was held in the cove. There were five races; 15 feet (4.6 m) and 24 feet (7.3 m) boats had to race the course over two rounds and 13 feet (4.0 m) just the once. The cliffs were lined with a large crowd of spectators.
^A Rambling Contributor (25 October 1883). "Roundabout Papers No. 8. St Just-in-Penwith". The Cornishman. No. 276. p. 7. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
^"St Just". The Cornishman. No. 75. 18 December 1879. p. 4.