Launched in 2017, Bowhouse’s monthly market weekends have attracted over 100,000 people. The Ship Inn, Elie Picture: The Ship Inn at Elie. The charming town has all the usual amenities, including a shop, church and a family-run hotel, and it is a perfect place for a short stroll.

Crail is the oldest Royal Burgh in the East Neuk, having been granted permission by Robert the Bruce to hold a weekly Sunday market in the 12 th century. Crail Museum & Heritage Centre is a small and friendly wee attraction which sits next to the Tolbooth, on the corner of Crail Marketgate, once the largest marketplace in Europe. The museum tells the story of Crail through the centuries, from fishing and the war history of Crail Airfield, to the Mural Monuments in Crail Kirkyard. Visit the museum when you arrive into Crail, then take a walk to discover the places you’ve just learned about. The wee harbours of these historic fishing villages are surrounded by quaint houses and the occasional cobbled street which are perfect for a leisurely stroll, but not before sampling some of the delicious seafood this corner of Fife is famous for. Following down the narrower streets of Cellardyke, you will come across the tiny 16th-century harbour. I didn’t get a chance to grab a bite to eat the last time I was in St Monans. However, there is a lovely restaurant right on the shore that caught my eye when we were there, which is called the East Pier Smokehouse. As you can imagine seafood is pretty high on the radar with crab cakes, Cullen skink, lobster and prawn tempura on the menu. Yum! Did you know?In Pittenweem, there is a lively atmosphere and an enduring charm. The trade with the Netherlands influences the pantiled cottages. A 15-minute drive south-east from St Andrews is The Peat Inn, a Michelin Star restaurant with rooms. Staying the night is a great option to take advantage of the taster menu with wine flights. Chef Geoffrey Smeddle cooks up a great combination of local ingredients in a modern yet classic base. St Andrews is deemed the home of golf in Scotland and many truly legendary players have played and won championships here. St Monans has a gorgeous harbour, more incredibly cute pastel-hued houses, and a couple of places I would love to stop by for some food! Is this getting a little repetitive now? However, aside from that, St Monans actually throws up a few surprises. If you take the coastal walk between Pittenweem and St Monans then you’ll see the St Monans windmill and remnants of the old salt houses, which are such a cool part of local history. Things to do in St Monans The estate is run by the Erskine family and is the perfect venue for events such as weddings. Also, you can explore the stunning Victorian walled gardens, and peaceful woodland walks at the Cambo Estate and Gardens.

The outdoor pool is on the beach and is filled twice a day by the tide. Also, the coastal pool is complete with a chute and diving board. Go there on a sunny day when the only noise is the trill of skylarks and the gentle splash of waves and you’ll instantly fall in love with this underappreciated part of Scotland. After lunch, climb up the harbour wall, and while away the afternoon in the sunshine. If you fancy a drink after lunch, the Golf Hotel on the high street is friendly and quaint. Have fish & chips at ANSTRUTHER Elie is the first village in the East Neuk and is linked to its neighbouring villages by the Fife Coastal Path, a trail which takes you high above the sea and over the cliffs. The Fife Coastal Path from Elie has dramatic coastal scenery and spectacular views, as well as sweeping views over the town. Once here, you can easily join the path which is reasonably flat. Given Pittenweem’s stunning coastal location, there are an abundance of viewpoints to be enjoyed. These are my favourite Pittenweem viewpoints:

Also Known As

Lady Janet’s Tower: The tower on the eastern headland of Ruby Bay was built in 1770 for Lady Janet Anstruther, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy Elie merchant and a regular swimmer in the waters around Elie Ness. Go visit and find out the full local story. The Good Food Guide have this to say: "At the higher end, the reverence for the local larder continues unabated. Writing for the Good Food Guide, James Porteous highlights some of the best places to stop for food within the East Neuk of Fife and top of his list is the Harbour Cafe. If Lower Largo were in Cornwall there would be traffic jams everyday winding their ways through the tiny streets. Thankfully, Lower Largo is one of Scotland’s hidden gems. Probably the least well known of the East Neuk villages, it is synonymous with Robinson Crusoe, being the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk in 1676 who went on to provide the inspiration for the Daniel Defoe character. There is a statue of the famous castaway in the village. Lower Largo once had a thriving railway and the Railway Inn serves real ale. Head to the beach at ELIE & EARLSFERRY The Good Food Guide also lists Craig Millar @ 16 West End as a place to visit for a meal when you're in St Monans.

Located around a 30-minute walk from Elie, the crescent of golden sand at Shell Bay is popular with families. Being in a sheltered cove, Shell Bay is an ideal spot for a swim or snorkel in the clear, shallow water. There’re also heaps of facilities at the adjacent at Elie Holiday Park. Elie Ness Lighthouse Standing at the tip of Elie Ness, Elie Ness Lighthouse has been guiding vessels through the treacherous waters around the Forth of Firth for almost 120 years and is now a very popular subject for photographers. Built in response to pleas from mariners who were unable to see the warning flashes from the lighthouses on the Isle of May and Inchkeith during stormy weather, a beam of white light has been shining from the top of Elie Ness Lighthouse every six seconds since 1908. Of Baern, Gaby writes: "The Baern menu focuses on bakes, which showcase Scotland the Bread’s Flour and veggies from East Neuk Market Garden, and are created by Hazel Powell and her business partner, Giacomo Pesce. Today, it’s a fascinating 4-star visitor attraction that explains the history of Scotland’s best-kept military secret. Visiting Tips Stretching 178km, the Fife Coastal Path is the longest trail in Scotland following an entire section of coastline. Whilst walking the whole thing may be unrealistic for some people, the most beautiful section of the Fife Coastal Path is undoubtedly the East Neuk.Alternatively, head west over dramatic Kincraig Hill to the pretty village of Lower Largo. This 10km coastal route is one of the best sections of the Fife Coastal Path.

Whilst here, take a short (but steep) walk up Kincraig Steps. At the top you’ll find the most glorious views over Earlsferry Beach and Elie beyond. Nicholson’s Sweet & Ice Cream Shop, Pittenweem – for some old-school sweeties or proper Italian-style ice-cream from the institution that is Jannetta’s Gelateria, pop into Pittenweem and visit this colourful wee gem of a shop. Find out more here. They wrote: "The eponymous Craig Millar @ 16 West End has a claim to the best views of any restaurant in Fife, thanks to a terrace that spills out over the Firth of Forth and the seas beyond. This post issponsored by Museums Galleries Scotland As always, all content, opinions & chaotic behaviour are my own.This isn’t exactly the largest part of Scotland, but it features a stretch of coastline that’s up there with any other as far as scenery goes, and for picturesque fishing villages it’s second to none. Pittenweem’s picturesque harbour is stuffed full of working fishing boats and is lined with pantiled cottages – influenced by trade with the Netherlands. Visit the fishmarket to see what the boats have caught that day – there might be herring or langoustines on offer. St Andrews Heritage Museum & Garden: Housed in a Victorian mansion nestled in the grounds of Kinburn Park this museum has a children’s play area and labyrinth path. The programme of what’s on is a mix of temporary exhibitions, talks, children’s workshops and activities. Also, you can visit the Crail Museum and Heritage Centre, Crail Pottery or Crail Harbour Gallery and Tea Room.