Summer travel: Find a hidden gem in Fife
The East Neuk of Fife rewards exploration – and you don’t necessarily need a car to make the most of it. Famed for its beautiful beaches and string of picturesque fishing villages which run from Earlsferry to Crail, hikers and cyclists can discover the area using the Fife Coastal Path which shadows the coastline, while the more historically minded may choose to avail themselves of the Fife Pilgrim Way, a 65-mile long footpath that runs inland through the Kingdom from North Queensferry and Culross all the way to St Andrews.
Now better known as the birthplace of golf, for almost 400 years the town of St Andrews was a major pilgrimage destination in Medieval Europe. Travellers converged here to be near the bones of St Andrew, one of Jesus’ disciples, as the route was likened to being in the Holy Land and walking in the footsteps of JC himself.
With its mix of magnificent ruined cathedral, world-famous golf courses and vibrant university atmosphere, the town’s status as a modern tourist hot-spot is well-earned, but there are plenty of other destinations nearby that are worth savouring.
A short trip from St Andrews brings you to Kingsbarns, a small village with an enviable reputation for its sandy beach and golf course, where you can tee off against the panoramic coastal view. Continuing along the coast you can discover the village of Crail with its quaint harbour and charming stone cottages. Only a stone’s throw away is the fishing village of Anstruther, home to the Scottish Fisheries Museum and some of the best – and freshest – fish and chips you’re ever likely to taste.
Pittenweem is another vibrant fishing port turned artist’s haven, with its annual arts festival every August affording visitors the opportunity to engage with its thriving local arts community.
The coastal path also winds through the village of St Monans, with its breathtaking views of the rugged coastline, while Elie, with its pristine sandy beach, is famed for its lighthouse perched upon a rocky outcrop and for being a magnet for watersports enthusiasts.
There are, in short, plenty of places where you may wish to stop awhile, relax and make yourself at home, and avail yourself of all the magnificent riches the Kingdom has to offer.
And, for a home away from home, local lettings agency Premier Stays Fife has got you covered.
Growing organically from an award-winning property servicing agency that was awarded Best Cleaning Company at the 2021 Scottish Business Awards, the company now offers almost50 hand-picked properties inSt Andrews and along the East Neuk.
From bungalows to apartments, cottages to family homes, Premier Stays Fife offers a wide range of accommodation suited to a variety of requirements, and all serviced to premier hotel-level standards. It should make wherever you stay an ideal base for exploring the region.