The delightful East Neuk villages, nestling amongst the natural harbours of the coastline, are testimony to the heritage of sea-fishing that still lives on in the Kingdom of Fife.
Tayport is located on the east coast of Scotland in Fife, at the mouth of the river Tay. It is a historic harbour town with attractive views across to Broughty Ferry and the Angus coastline.
It is within easy commuting distance to Dundee via the Tay Road Bridge. St Andrews and Edinburgh are both popular tourist attractions being 20 and 50 minute drives to the south respectively.
Local tourist amenities include local Shops, an 18-hole golf course (Scotscraig) and large park areas.
Dundee is in the midst of an ambitious £1 billion waterfront regeneration project and a landmark Victoria and Albert museum is planned for 2015. Places to visit in dundee include Broughty Castle, Claypotts Castle, McManus Museum, Discovery Point, Mills observatory and the Caird Hall for plaus and live music events.
West Sands, featured in the opening sequence of the Oscar winning film ‘Chariots of Fire’. St. Andrews town is steeped in Scottish history as well as in golfing history. There are many local attractions for the discerning traveller. It is a very friendly University town and everyone is made to feel welcome.
The town itself has a wealth of shops, cafes, restaurants etc., and for golfers an abundance of golf courses including the “Old Course”.
Everything you would expect from a tranquil conservation village, situated just 7 miles from St Andrews and 3 miles from Crail.
Traditional cottages which, in the summertime, come alive with the scent of climbing roses and flower tubs. The village is steeped in history, the primary school dates back to 1822, and is the oldest still in use in Fife. There is a beautiful sheltered sandy beach. For golfers there are golf courses galore within easy reach, including Kingsbarns Golf Links itself (one of the three courses used for the Dunhill Cup).
Anstruther or Anster is the largest and busiest of the ‘East of Neuk’ coastal towns. It was, until 50 years ago, a busy fishing village, but the demise of the North Sea herring shoals around this time saw fishing disappear.
The history of fishing, from the earliest times to the present day, can be remembered by a visit to the Scottish Fisheries Museum. Anstruther is now a bustling town with a variety of shops, pubs and excellent restaurants, mainly specialising in seafood.
Anstruther is an ideal stepping off point for sea angling trips, or visiting the Isle of May Nature Reserve on the ‘May Princess’.
Pittenweem has become famous for its annual arts festival providing visitors with a week long fest of local folk music, crafts and fine art exhibitions made all the more interesting by a majority of the venues being local people’s homes.
It is a wonderful location from which to explore the East Neuk of Fife by car, bicycle or on foot. Whatever time of year you decide to come you will receive a warm and friendly welcome.
Once a prosperous fishing village it is now very popular with tourists. Its architecture is dominated by pantile roofs, brightly coloured cottages and outside staircases. A 750 year old church watches over the village and the windmill of St. Monans, dating back to1780, is about a 10 minute walk along the coastal path towards Pittenweem.
There is an excellent seafood restaurant at the west end of the harbour overlooking the sea, plus an exciting new addition to the village is The “East Pier” Smokehouse which is open seasonally, and is brilliant. There is a lovely coffee shop at the bottom of Station Road near the harbour called The Giddy Gannet … great coffee, cakes and savouries to sit in or takeaway.
The Royal Burgh of Elie & Earlsferry is located c. 20 minutes drive from St. Andrews and has been a very popular holiday destination since the late 19th. Century. It has beautiful, award winning, sandy beaches and has something to offer family members of every generation from golf, tennis, bowls to watersports.
There are several good eating places within the village, and for those wishing to picnic there are shops offering great local produce.
The story of Robinson Crusoe was (rumour has it in the local fishing community) based on the experiences of Alexander Selkirk, who was born and brought up in Lower Largo. There is a statue of ’Robinson Crusoe’ aka Alexander Selkirk in the village.
The village nestles around a small harbour now primarily used by pleasure craft. From here you can step on to miles of golden sandy beach. There are plenty of colourful local hostelries within easy reach.
Kinghorn is an area rich in history. Now that industries have long since gone from the area the old town and shoreline have been declared a conservation area and designated a site of important scientific interest for watching and studying the rich and varied wildlife Seals, porpoise and many different sea birds inhabit the area.
The picturesque sheltered bay and beach nestles below the hillsides. There is plenty for all the family to do. The beach is a sheltered bay with clean sands, activies include the very active Sailing Club, a superb 18 hold golf course with magnificent views over the Forth to Edinburgh. Pettycur Bay has a vast beach where wind surfing, jet ski-ing and para-surfing can be enjoyed. Visit the Earthship House at Craigencault Ecology Centre, and take a guided tour around this unique building made entirely from recycled materials.
From the small railway station at Kinghorn you can travel into Edinburgh – the journey takes about 40 minutes.