- Around Elie & Local Towns
- Foodie Finds
- Shopping
- Festivals
- Watersports & Seaside Entertainment
- Sports
ELIE - seaside heaven in the beautiful East Neuk of Fife.
Neuk is the Scots word for nook or corner and this perfectly describes this charming stretch of unspoilt coast from Leven round the point of Fife Ness and on to St Andrews. It's a delight to visit from Elie the picturesque little fishing villages with their working harbours, whitewashed and step-gabled cottages and the many sandy beaches and coves nearby.
Elie and Earlsferry, joined in the first half of the 20th Century, is a much loved holiday destination, and it's easy to see why. It's stunning sandy beaches are ideal for buckets and spades or a lazy walk collecting shells. The curve of Elie Bay itself encloses a a wonderful expanse of sheltered water perfect for a huge range of water sports. There is an amazing choice of local produce to be found in and near Elie (see foodie finds), and there is the GOLF of course, and the walking...and the sports...
Around Elie & Local Towns
St Andrews
St Andrews - the home of golf and known for its ancient and exceptional university, there's so much to do and see here.
Play a round of golf, have a delicious lunch at The Seafood Restaurant, scoff ice cream at Jannetta's Gelateria, take the kids to the St Andrews Aquarium, amble round the historic university buildings or just wander round the shops - there is absolutely something for everyone in this characterful seaside town.
Local Villages
St Monans, Pittenweem, Crail, and Anstruther are just some of the picturesque villages on this special stretch of Scotland's coastline.
These are our top must do or see tips, but there are too many to list and it's fun to explore and make your own finds.
- Visit the Pittenweem Arts Festival in August and the chocolates sold in the Cocoa Tree Cafe are divine
- Take a boat trip to the Isle of May from Anstruther
- Eat beautifully smoked langoustine at The East Pier, St Monans after you visit the Church and harbour
- Fish & chips at the award winning Anstruther Fish Bar
- Crail - explore the narrow wynds and wander down the cobbled streets to see the fishing boats in the harbour, and the picnic on locally caught and cooked lobster
Local Attractions and Museums
Our favourite things to see and do include
- Discover The Secret Bunker - it's fantastic!
- The Scottish Fisheries Museum is in a spectacular location near the harbour
- The British Golf Museum
- Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery for a great collection of Scottish art
- St Andrews Aquarium
Foodie Finds
Elie Eating
A mouthwatering choice of eating is on offer. The range of restaurants and cafes includes The Ship Inn, The 19th Hole, The Pavilion café at the Sports Club and several more.
Ardross Farm Shop
The Award winning Ardross Farm Shop is a family run business and a haven for food lovers, and is just outside Elie.
Elie Deli and More
Elie Deli is the ever popular and very well stocked food shop on your doorstep
Other top foodie shops you must visit
- G & J Wilson St Monans - sells straight from the shed 01333 730537
- Pittenweem Chocolate Company at The Cocoa Tree Cafe
- I J Mellis, St Andrews for cheese
- St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company
- Minnick of St Andrews - butchers
- St Andrews Wine Company
- Luvians - wine
Shopping
Shopping
Shopping in the East Neuk is varied, from the better known shops of St Andrews to little gift shops hidden down narrow wynds in a little fishing village
Here are some of our favourite shops (excluding foodie shops which are listed separately)
- The Wade Gallery, Elie (summer opening)
- The Anstruther Ironmongers
- The Coach House , Pittenweem
- Weft Textiles, Pittenweem
- The Jerdan Gallery, Crail
- Crail Harbour Gallery
- Home Improvements Mica Hardware, St Andrews
- Appleton Gift and Homeware, Elie
- J & G Innes, St Andrews - book shop
- Rummage, St Andrews - shabby chic/vintage/antiques
Festivals
East Neuk Festival
A week of music and poetry events throughout the East Neuk, usually in June/July. This has been running since 1999.
Crail Food Festival
Taking place in the coastal village of Crail, this food festival is a highlight of the summer festival calendar.
Watersports & Seaside Entertainment
Elie Water Sports
For water sports and bicycle hire head towards the harbour to Elie Water Sports. They run weekly sailing courses, you can hire a plethora of boards and sails, or go on an inflatable ride.
Sports
Golf
Elie has one of the finest links courses in Fife - The Golf House Club of Elie. One of the oldest golf courses in the country, it is located close to the championship courses of St Andrews, the home of golf. We recommend that you book ahead, especially in high season, in order to guarantee a tee time.
Other highly recommended golf courses in the area include the Old Course in St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Lundin Golf Club.
The Elie Sports Club runs the more relaxed 9 hole golf course, as well as the driving range, 18 hole putting green and short game practice area with 2 bunkers and a 50yard pitching fairway. Coaching is available as well as school holiday camps for the kids.
Tennis
At the Elie Sports Club there are 5 full size tennis courts which you must book in hight season. there are also 4 short tennis courts for younger children. The club provides tennis coaching for all ages and stages, and extensive school holiday camps.
Walking
If you love a wander along a beautiful beach or a harder challenge there's plenty of walking to do nearby.
Elie is well positioned on the Fife Coastal path, all 117 miles of it. Try the exciting Chain walk heading West from Shell Bay or head East to St Monans, Crail and on to St Andrews http://www.fifecoastalpath.co.uk
West Sands, St Andrews - miles of beautiful beach where the film Chariots of Fire was filmed
For more Fife walks see the Visit Scotland website.