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The largest of the historic fishing villages in the East Neuk of Fife, Anstruther is full of character and crammed with narrow, winding streets.
“A fringe of gold on a beggar’s mantle” is how James II of Scotland described the East Neuk of Fife, with its burghs built around sheltered bays and surrounded by rich farmland. There’s plenty to do whether you want to walk or cycle, hire a boat to fish, bird watch, play a round of golf or entertain the children with sandy beaches and outdoor activities like canoeing or abseiling. When you want to wind down Anstruther has plenty of quaint pubs, delightful tearooms and award-winning restaurants, including the best fish and chip shop in Scotland. |
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Destinations
Airport | Edinburgh 45 Miles
Train Station | Leuchars 15 Miles (There is a taxi rank next to the ramped bridge at the station)
Nearest Cities | St Andrews 10 miles, Dundee 20 miles
Nearest Beach | 2 Metres
Nearest Restaurant | 15 Metres
Nearest Bar/Pub | 20 Metres
Nearest Golf | 1/2 Mile
A car is recommended to fully explore the area though local bus transport (to return from a long walk) is excellent.
Train Station | Leuchars 15 Miles (There is a taxi rank next to the ramped bridge at the station)
Nearest Cities | St Andrews 10 miles, Dundee 20 miles
Nearest Beach | 2 Metres
Nearest Restaurant | 15 Metres
Nearest Bar/Pub | 20 Metres
Nearest Golf | 1/2 Mile
A car is recommended to fully explore the area though local bus transport (to return from a long walk) is excellent.
Things to do
The East Neuk (meaning ‘corner’ in Scots) is packed with things to do. How about taking a ferry ride to the birdwatching paradise of the Isle of May? Or perhaps walking along the famous Fife Coastal Path to reach the other East Neuk villages of Elie, St Monan’s, Pittenweem and Crail, stopping off at delightful cafes along the way?
St Andrews (10 miles away)- the home of golf with its 7 courses including the Old Course – is also a beautiful university town with castle and ruined abbey and many great shops. Fife also has 45 golf courses, many award winning beaches, water sports at Elie, Falkland Palace, Kellie Castle, Cambo Gardens and Scotland’s Secret Bunker, an eccentric warren of rooms 100 ft underground where Scotland would have been run in the event of a nuclear war. And much, much more.
St Andrews (10 miles away)- the home of golf with its 7 courses including the Old Course – is also a beautiful university town with castle and ruined abbey and many great shops. Fife also has 45 golf courses, many award winning beaches, water sports at Elie, Falkland Palace, Kellie Castle, Cambo Gardens and Scotland’s Secret Bunker, an eccentric warren of rooms 100 ft underground where Scotland would have been run in the event of a nuclear war. And much, much more.
Family Activities
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.
Other family friendly activities in Fife can be accessed via this website:
www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk
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.
Other family friendly activities in Fife can be accessed via this website:
www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk
Where to eat
The East Neuk of Fife is a paradise for ‘foodies’. Although St Andrews itself has a number of fine restaurants, here is just a small selection of eating places specialising mainly in seafood in towns and villages close to Anstruther. They offer everything from gourmet dining to great fish and chips!
The Wee Chippy
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Anstruther Fish Bar & Restaurant
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The Cellar Restaurant
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Eastern Touch
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The Peat Inn
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Haven Restaurant
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Crail Harbour Tea Room & Gallery
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The Cocoa Tree Shop and Café
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Local Shops
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There is a Co-op supermarket at the top of the town. I find the A&A Stores (turn right out of the door, right again up the alley way and it’s on the corner) better for service but it doesn’t have as much stock.
Meanwhile, Anstruther itself still has a baker and a fishmonger (both on the front, Shore St), a butcher (Cunzie St, turn left at the bakers), and a fabulous French deli, La Petite Epicerie, also in Cunzie Street. There is a very eccentric and old-fashioned ironmongers run by Alisdair on Cunzie St (for logs, windbreaks, any odds and sods). If you’re looking for interesting clothes, scarves, handbags, presents etc. Dos Mundos is a fair trade shop on Shore St. You’ll find the library in Cunzie Street (if you haven’t brought your computer with you and want to access your email, you can do it here) and the Post Office is on Shore Street. |
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