SWACS was formed in 1986, in response to a car set on fire in one of the caves which resulted in destruction of several Pictish carvings.

We have spent the past 30 years working to protect the heritage on site and bring it to public attention. We now work with our partners in the Wemyss Caves Action Group to implement a long-term management plan to protect, preserve and promote the caves

SWACS organise a programme of scheduled public guided tours throughout the summer together with ad-hoc tours for other groups and individuals. These tours can attract up to 100 visitors at a time and include international visitors. In 2019 we gave tours to around 1,500 visitors around the site.

We publish several books and pamphlets on the caves and other local history, give many talks to local organisations and societies and engage in outreach work in local schools.

In 2016 we organised a well-attended conference which attracted prominent national speakers and this summer are organising a community festival on the site.

We work to protect the site whilst trying to open up the site for visitors through programme of ground improvements. In 2019 we opened our first dedicated Visitor Centre and Museum which we intend to serve as a centre for study of the caves.

Read more about what we do in the sections below.