OUT AND ABOUT IN CRAIL

A HIDDEN GEM IN THE EAST NEUK

Crail is a quintessential Fife fishing village, with a working harbour, cobbled streets, historic houses with crow stepped gables and, of course, lobster posts dotted around the waterfront for added charm.

You don't need to spend long in Crail to get a sense that food is the heartbeat of the village - for guests using our self-catering accommodation, the high street provides all you need to whip up a Fife feast. With so many local producers, we are spoiled for choice; from a 4th generation family-run butchers, and an independent greengrocer selling local produce, to an artisan bakery and, of course, the essential fish and chip shop! the Shoregate is a fantastic restaurant for lunch or dinner, with plenty of local produce on offer, and a lovely beer garden for those tempted by an alfresco pint on summer days. If you're lucky enough to visit during June, a trip to Crail Food Festival is a must.

Visitors often flock to the harbour to watch the boats and enjoy an ice cream by the shore, but we can give you a few inside tips on where else to visit...! Crail Harbour Gallery and Tearoom is a big favourite of the staff at The Cow Shed Crail - it's located in the cellars of a 1th Century fishermans's cottage, and along with wonderful arts and gifts, there is a charming tearoom and the courtyard has the most spectacular views across the Firth of Forth. It's one not to be missed. For those keen on art, there is also the family-run Crail Gallery, which specialises in linocut and silkscreen prints, and the wonderfully charming Crail Pottery (also family-run) which produces a diverse range of stoneware, terracotta planters, raku and bright hand-painted earthenware. If you are exploring by foot, you can join the Fife Coastal Path from Crail. We hightly recommend the picturesque walk into Anstruther (approx 4 miles) which is a relatively straightforward, and the views over to the Isle of May and Bass Rock are spectacular. For those not able to manage the walk into Anstruther, there is a regular bus service from Crail, so you needn't miss out! Heading in the other direction, the Fife Coastal Path passes Kingsbarns Beach - 2 miles of golden beaches, backed by low grassy dunes, and popular not only with walkers but rockpoolers and fossil hunters too! At weekends, The Cheesy Toast Shack (one of St Andrew's well-loved street food companies) serves grilled chesse sandwiches that are worthy of writing home about. For the more intrepid explorer, the Fife Coastal Path provides 63 miles of coastal walks (from Kincardine in the Firth of Forth to Newburgh in the Firth of Tay) which takes roughly 5 days to complete. Fortunately, there are plenty of fishing villages and towns where you can stop off and rest your weary legs.

We may only be a stone's throw away from St Andrews and its renowned golf courses, but there is also a fantastic links course here in Crail, and visitors are welcome year-round. The club has two courses: Craighead Links and Balcomie Links, where there's a sea view at every hole! There's something about the eastern location of Crail that gives it a sense of seclusion, and visitors often feel that they've stumbled across a hidden gem. We're happy to let you in on our secret but shhh... don't tell too may people!

Businesses mentioned in this blog:

Butcher: https://www.jbpenmanbutchers.co.uk

Greengrocer: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057350294285

Bakery: @barnettsbakery

Fish and Chips: ww1.crailfishbar.com

Crail Food Festival: https://www.crailfoodfestival.co.uk

The Shoregate: https://theshoregate.com

Crail Harbour Gallery and Tearoom: http://www.crailharbourgallery.co.uk

Crail Gallery: https://www.crailgallery.com

Crail Pottery: https://crailpottery.com

Fife Coastal Path: https://fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk/walks/fife-coastal-path/

The Cheesy Toast Shack: https://www.instagram.com/thecheesytoastshack/?hl=en