Travel through Crail, Pittenweem and Anstruther or any of the fishing villages in this area and you seem to
travel back to a time of unspoilt beauty and calm.
The quaint colourful cottages with red pantile roofs, crow stepped gable ends and wonderful
sea views over the Firth of Forth, appear to reflect an unspoilt quality of life.
It seems to encourage you to explore further - and there is much to explore!
Let us help you to 'Escape to the East Neuk'
Outdoor Activities.
Golf & St Andrews.
Family Activities.
History.
Further Afield.
Eating Out.
Arts.
Special Events.
This part of the Fife coastal path (which stretches from Crail to the Forth Bridges)
enables walkers to enjoy the superb coastline with its rich wildlife, picturesque villages,
castles, churches and harbours.
Enjoy the exhilaration of the 'Chain Walk' situated between Lower Largo and Elie. Explore the Lady's Tower, the Lighthouse and Ruby Bay before examining the Windmill and the remains of the Salt pan houses along the coast between St Monans and Pittenweem.
The more energetic of you might visit Elie Watersports
to try wind-surfing or sailing or even risk riding the 'banana boat'
You may wish to take a Boat trip to the Isle of May to view the breeding sea birds
and the colony of grey seals. Perhaps you would like to make use of the
Millennium Cycle Way with its network of dedicated cycle routes.
We do not really have to remind you that this area is a Golfer's paradise with world famous
golf courses available at St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Crail and Elie.
Soak up the history of the game at the British Golf Museum at St Andrews.
We would recommend exploring St Andrews Castle where you can see the fascinating mine and counter mine medieval siege technique and they regularly give mock battle re-enactments and pageants. Don't forget the Cathedral where you can climb the daunting St Rule's Tower for magnificent views.
You might also be lucky to see the adventurous kite surfers amongst the
white horses off west sands beach (this is the beach where Chariots of Fire was filmed)
The shoreline of the Firth of Forth is dotted with some of the finest beaches in Britain.
These award winning sandy beaches have passed strict tests on access,
facilities and health and safety.
Families might want to visit St Andrew's Aquarium or the Scottish Deer Centre at Cupar where children can feed the deer, play on its tree top walkways and playground, or watch the falconry displays and their latest arrivals, three wolves.
Craigtoun Country Park offers train and boat rides, adventure playgrounds, trampolines and bouncy castles as well as good picnic facilities.
All the East Neuk villages have children's playgrounds,
with the Pittenweem playground including a challenging skateboarding park,
and those at Crail, Pittenweem and Cellardyke having the additional advantage of wonderful views
over the Firth of Forth.
An exceptional Museum giving an insight into the Scottish fishing industry is based in Anstruther.
Here fishing vessels are displayed in specially built galleries and a reconstructed fisherman's
cottage is also featured.
The Crail Museum and Heritage Centre tells the story of the Burgh and its connections with the sea.
Fife Folk Museum at Ceres gives an insight into rural Fife.
Underneath a farmhouse four miles from Crail a tunnel leads to Scotland's Secret Bunker. This is where Government would have run its affairs had nuclear war broken out during the cold war.
Kellie Castle and Garden, two miles north of Pittenweem, features a fascinating
Victorian Nursery and old kitchen.
It also contains a beautifully cultivated walled garden and children's adventure trail.
Visits across the Tay Bridge to the R.R.S Discovery at Discovery Point,
the Life Science Centre and the Verdant Works are well worth it.
As are visits across the Forth Bridges to see a range of sights such as Edinburgh Castle,
the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth and the Royal Yacht Britannia,
or just to spend time at the Edinburgh International Festival and explore
the shops around Princes Street.
This area boasts many quaint (family) friendly pubs and a wonderful selection
of high quality restaurants offering the chance to sample the excellent local produce and seafood,
and in the summer an annual Seafood Celebration is held.
"The award winning Cellar Restaurant (3AA Rosettes) is in Anstruther, The Seafood Restaurant in St Monans (2AA Rosettes) and the SeaFood Restaurant in St Andrews (3AA Rosettes), Sangsters in Elie (3AA Rosettes) and the nationally renowned Peat Inn (3AA Rosettes) are all close by"
For more information about some of the restaurants in the East Neuk go to East Neuk Seafood Celebration Website.
Anstruther boats Scotland’s multi-award winning fish and chip shop. The East Neuk boasts an excellent variety of friendly cafes, tearooms, galleries, craft and coffee shops all serving delicious local food.
Several of the local fish processing warehouses will sell their produce directly to the public.
Arts
This area is a real hot spot for the arts. Pittenweem in particular has many galleries
and in August each year there is the Pittenweem Arts Festival where the large number of local
art galleries and craft shops join forces with the local population to present an even
wider selection of arts, crafts and antiques.
Crail Pottery is a wonderful working pottery for you to visit.
In St Andrews the Byres Theatre has a varied programme of drama, dance, comedy and children’s productions
If you time it right you will hopefully be here in the East Neuk for some of the other special events and festivals.
The following are just some of the events that may be of interest -
- Pittenweem Arts Festival
- Crail Festival
- Anstruther Cruising Muster and Lifeboat Gala Day
- Leven Vintage Car Rally
- Ceres Highland Games
- St Andrew’s Week
- RAF Show at Leuchars
- Dunhill Links Championship
