Close Attractions

The May Princess sails from Anstruther to the beautiful Isle of May almost every day from 1st April to 30th September. Licensed by the Maritime Coastguard Agency to carry 100 passengers, she has been operating on this run for the last fifteen years. The trip on the boat lasts from around 4.5 to 5 hours in total, which includes 2.5 to 3 hours ashore on the Island, and if the weather allows a slow circumference of the Island by the boat to allow visitors to enjoy the spectacular scenery and wonderful wildlife from the sea. On board enjoy the commentary and assistance during the trip from our experienced Skipper and crew, who will try and make your day out a most memorable one. The boat also has a small snack bar and toilets.

The May Island as it is known locally is a remarkable island which lies only 5 miles off the Fife coast and is an important National Nature Reserve owned and run by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and is open for visitors from the beginning of April until the end of September. Christened the jewel of the Forth by Anstruther Pleasure Cruises many years ago for good reason, this is truly a beautiful Island, peaceful with stunning views everywhere.

SNH have rangers stationed on the Isle of May during this time to make your visit more enjoyable and informative, they will greet you on the pier when you arrive, give a short talk on the latest information concerning the wildlife and they will also patrol the island during your visit. Isle of May is home to an incredible array of wildlife, up to 250,000 seabirds can nest on the May, which can include 120,000 Puffins, there are also big colonies of Guillemots, Razorbills and Shags (best time for Puffins is from April to mid-August ) also about 150 seals live all year round on Isle of May. Porpoise and Dolphin and the odd whale can be seen, you just have to be on the trip on the right day and be a bit lucky.

The Isle of May can lay claim to having Scotland's oldest Bird Observatory, which was founded in 1934 and manned by volunteers between March and November, the remains of a 12th Century Monastery built in memory of St Adrian martyred on the island by Norsemen in the year 875 and the oldest light house in Scotland dating back to 1636.

You won't believe what a day out we have to offer.
Situated in a wonderful collection of historic buildings on the harbour of a small and beautiful fishing port, we are a charitable trust which has become a national institution with an international reputation.
Our principal aim, in all of our efforts with regard to the displays in our extensive museum and our many educational and research activities, is to excite informed interest in the development of the Scottish commercial fishing industry among people of all ages in and beyond Scotland. The core story that we have to tell is the history of how, through a constant process of innovation, the Scottish fisheries became such an important part of the lives of so many Scots.

Anstruther Harbour caters for leisure and small fishing vessels. There is approx. 400 metres of pierside berthing and 100 serviced pontoon berths for leisure craft.

Tidal access:HW +/- 4 hours approx.

Visitors:8 no. pontoon berths are reserved for visitors (max. vessel size 10.5 metres)

For current harbour rates and dues please view the publications page, or contact the Harbour Master.

There is so much for you to discover on the Fife Coastal Path. Stretching for 117 miles from the Firth of Forth in the south, to the Firth of Tay in the north, the route offers an unrivalled walking experience.
The route offers a range of walking experiences from easy and level, to wild and demanding. Whether completed in smaller sections or as a long distance route, there is definitely something for everyone.
From the cosmopolitan atmosphere of St.Andrews to the former coal mining towns of central Fife. The small fishing villages of the East Neuk to the bustling industrial areas of the west, rugged cliffs, award winning beaches, internationally important estuaries and wildlife reserves, walking the Fife Coastal Path is an experience not to be missed.
Whether you are looking for peace and tranquillity or action and adventure the Fife Coastal Path can offer you this and much, much more.
The Fife Coastal Path is one of Scotland's Great Trails and is part of Fife's Core Path network which helps to increase access to green space and establsih links between neighbouring communities.

East Neuk Outdoors is a family-run outdoor activity centre on Fife’s scenic east coast in Cellardyke by Anstruther. We offer a range of outdoor activities for individuals, families and groups including 'come and try' sessions, half-day, full-day or multi-day options.

Our qualified and caring staff will ensure your time with us is spent learning new skills in an enjoyable and safe environment.

Our activities at the centre are:

Kayaking
Open Canoeng
Sea Kayaking
Archery
Bouldering
Bushcraft and Firemaking
Raft Building
Team Building activities
Climbing and Abseiling

Website (Click here)

For 40 years Scotland kept a secret!

Hidden beneath an innocent Scottish farmhouse lies Scotland’s Secret Bunker. 2014 marks the 20th anniversary since the Bunker opened to the public, unveiling 40 years of secrets. We invite you to take the journey down the 450 foot tunnel and through the blast doors to discover the secrets of the bunker, which was built to help safeguard Scotland during the Cold War in the event of a nuclear attack.

The Secret Bunker lies 100 feet underground and is the size of two football pitches, one on top of the other so there is plenty of exploring to do! Come and discover how Scotland would have been governed from the depths of Fife and how they would have survived a nuclear attack from the most deadly bombs!

Our family have been local farmers in the East Neuk of Fife since the 1930s using the same traditional methods today to ensure that the grass grows lush and green, the crops yield as good a crop as the Scottish weather will allow, and our happy, healthy cows produce top quality milk.

We started to make our cheese in January 2008 which is when we started the St Andrews Cheese Company, and it is our home bred herd of Holstein Friesians that provide the main ingredient –a real field to plate experience. In May of 2008 we opened our coffee shop where you can watch the cheese being made through our Viewing Gallery windows, enjoy delicious home baking or lunch and of course sample our range of award winning cheeses; Anster, Red Anster, Mature Anster, Smoked Anster and St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar. On a clear day you can sit outside the coffee shop on the balcony and enjoy the panoramic views down across the fields towards the Firth of Forth and beyond.

The sandy curve of Elie Bay encloses a wonderful expanse of sheltered water, making it the finest setting for beginners on Scotland's East Coast. Beyond the bay, the open sea offers a challenge to the more proficient participant.

The Activities offered by Elie Watersports can be participated in on a casual basis with or without instruction or in the form of more structured courses working towards National Governing body qualifications.

Elie Watersports is a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre and is licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA).

The chain walk is more of a scramble! The route follows eight chains, which run vertically or horizontally. Over the course of the walk there are rocks, cliff tops and caves! The route takes around an hour depending on ability and is a distance of 0.5km. Also, the Elie Chain Walk is suitable for children over 8 years old! However, it is important to check tide levels the morning of the walk! This route can be dangerous to attempt if you are not prepared.

A few hundred yards east of the beautiful village of St Monans and standing above a raised beach close to the shore is St Monans Windmill. The East Neuk of Fife is a stunning area, and the villages strung out along its southern coast are sublime. Combine this setting with the traditional rural associations of a windmill and it is hard to imagine a more idyllic place. Nothing could be more misleading. St Monans Windmill is the most tangible reminder of an industry that for centuries blighted the environment of coastal communities right along both shores of the Firth of Forth: salt production.

Newark Castle is a ruin located just outside the town of St Monans, on the east coast of Fife, Scotland. Building on the site probably dates back to the 13th century at which time the Scottish king Alexander III spent some of his childhood there.

The East Pier restaurant is located on the coastal path between Pittenweem and Elie.  The short menu is mainly shellfish and seafood, although soup, cheese, oatcakes, coffee and cake also available.  The restauarant is also licensed.
East Pier sells langoustines and lobsters are landed and bought locally.  Anster Cheese is also on the menu alongside local baker 'Barnett's' bread.   
The fabulous harbour location offers spectacular views and dogs are welcomed on the open air terrace or outside tables.  
Definetely worth a visit when in St Monans

Website (Click here)

The origins of St Monans Parish Church date back to 875 when St Monan (or possibly one or more of his bones) was buried here and a shrine was established to venerate his memory. In 1346 David II was wounded by two barbed arrows at the battle of Neville's Cross. One could not be extracted, but miraculously removed itself from his wound after David had made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Monans. To give thanks he ordered the building of a church on the site.

Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office for the following amenities which open for the season each year:

Rio Grande Railway
Puffin’Billy Tractor Rides
The Boating Lake
Crazy Golf
Putting
Bouncy Castles
Pedal Cars (Under 7s only)
The following can be enjoyed for free, all year round:

The park itself
Adventure play area
Zip lines
Trim trail
Trampolines
The Fairy Glen

Nestled on St Andrews’dramatic north facing cliffs, with stunning views of the famous west sands and St Andrews Bay, St Andrews Aquarium boasts one of the finest coastal locations in the historic town.

Step through our doors and be transported into an underwater world of adventure and discovery. Come face to face with some of the most beautiful, fascinating and dangerous creatures of the watery worlds. From British sharks to spiders, lobsters to lionfish, poison dart frogs to piranhas, loveable seals……and not to forget our fabulous meerkats.

Get up close and personal with our daily interactive demonstrations which include penguin feeding at 2pm, a reptile and spider handling sessions at 11.20am and 2.20pm and an informative talk and feeding sessions with our family of meerkats at 12.20pm and 3.20pm.

Medieval atmosphere meets Victorian style at Kellie Castle. The oldest parts date back to the 14th century, but the whole interior was overhauled in the late 19th century by famous artistic family the Lorimers.
Crow-stepped gables and fairytale stone towers form the outer frame, while indoors elaborate plaster ceilings and painted panelling lie alongside fine furniture designed by Sir Robert Lorimer, who spent much of his childhood at Kellie Castle. Outside, take a wander through the Arts & Crafts garden with its magnificent herbaceous borders, filled with the heavy scent of old roses, along with fruit and vegetables which are all grown organically.