Museums
The East Neuk has historical links no matter where you go, visit the Crail Heritage Museum or the Scottish Fisheries Museum to find out more of the local history. There a several castles open to the public during the summer season with gardens and play areas too.
Where better to find out about golf than in St. Andrews, the home of golf. Using diverse displays and exciting interactives, the Museum tells the story of British golf from its origins in the middle ages through to the present day. We explore the players, tournaments and equipment, both past and present, which help to make golf the game it is today...
Walks
Coastal routes round the East Neuk are a delight and give you spectacular views which cannot be seen from the coastal roads. If you fancy some bird watching or an unusual day out, take a trip on the May Princess across to the May Isle.
For the more adventurous, try the Elie chain walk......scary!
The Chain Walk around the base of Kincraig Point is the highlight of the Fife Coastal Path, although the official route does not acknowledge it and passes over the top of the cliffs. This headland is a jumble of volcanic rock, pools and caves, washed by the sea at high tide, and the traverse is a mixture of walking and easy scrambling with the aid of chains bolted into the rock. Depending on how you count them, there are 7 or 8 chains.
The walk should not be attempted when the tide is rising, as it is easy to get stranded for a long while. The best time is when the tide is on the ebb as this gives plenty of time to enjoy the area, which is both beautiful and teeming with interest. There are several caves and many rock pools to explore, and a good half day can easily fly by in what seems like minutes.
The pitches are very short and the steep ones also have good footholds cut into the rock. In either direction of traverse, near-vertical descents are encountered and these must be tackled 'backwards', i.e. facing inwards towards the rock. With the chains, this is much easier than it sounds, but some very nervous walkers may have difficulty with the initial step over the edge while searching for the first foothold.
Leaving Shell Bay caravan park, the path contours around the hill and the rugged headland comes into view. Arriving at a cove, the first cave can be seen below with the sea ebbing and flowing into its mouth. This cave and channel never fully clear even at low tide and the rock is slippery, so it is better to continue on the path to the top of the cliff, then leave it to descend on the far side and return to the cave to explore. Moving on, you come to the first chained. You can also start on the beach close to Elie Golf course and work back to shell bay.
Isle of May
The Isle of May, situated in the mouth of the Firth of Forth, is only one and a half kilometres long, yet is a haven for thousands of nesting sea birds and breeding seals who flourish on the steep sea cliffs and rocky shores. It has been a National Nature Reserve since 1965.
There are impressive vertical cliffs all along the west coast teeming with seabirds in early summer. The island is treeless and rugged, but there are tracks and marked paths which allow you to visit all parts without difficulty. In order not to disturb the nesting birds you are expected to keep to these paths.
From April to July the sea cliffs are covered with breeding kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and shags. Inland thousands of burrow-nesting puffins can be seen and eider ducks are abundant. There are usually breeding terns and you may see grey seals. Grey seals can be seen all year round, but there are many more in October when they give birth to their pups. On the boat trip you will encounter vast numbers of seabirds coming and going, and even if you are unable to land it is will worth making the journey to see the spectacular cliff scenery. You can visit the remains of the 12th century monastery, which is currently being excavated as part of a four year archaeological programme aimed at interpreting the historic environment of the island. Remains of human exploitation of the island have been found dating back over 2000 years, and it is hoped to find evidence of the buildings occupied by Saint Andrian and his followers when they were murdered by the Vikings in 875. There are also a number of wartime installations, but most buildings are associated with the lighthouses, including one of the first ever to be built in Scotland.
Access to the Isle of May is by passenger boat from Anstruther, The May Princess, which is licensed to carry 100 passengers; it has a saloon, snack bar and toilets. The trip is made once daily. Departure times depend on the tides. Tickets are available at the kiosk at Anstruther Harbour approximately one hour before sailing. Booking is not always necessary but booking and sailing information is available on the 24 hour information line: 01333 310103. The entire trip is likely to take between 3 and 5 hours. Take refreshments with you; there is only a small information centre and toilet facilities on the island. Dogs are not allowed on the island.