Anstruther

Anstruther is in the East Neuk (corner) of Fife in the East of Scotland. This travel guide also covers the adjoining village of Cellardyke, and Pittenweem which is two miles west of Anstruther.

Understand

Anstruther is an old fishing village dating back to the 12th century. It has a population of 3600. Anstruther was part of the Royal Burgh of Kilrenny, Anstruther Easter and Anstruther Wester from 1930 to 1975.

Pittenweem is also a fishing village, which was made a Royal Burgh by King James V in 1541. Pittenweem has a population of 1750.

Get in

By bus

• The Stagecoach X58 or X60 runs about once per hour from Edinburgh to Anstruther, via Kirkcaldy and Leven, and continues to St Andrews, although you may have to change in Leven for evening journeys. The Stagecoach 95 runs hourly from Leven via Pittenween to Anstruther and continues to St Andrews via Crail.

By train

• Anstruther does not have a station, Kirkcaldy has regular trains from Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. Transfer onto the X58 or X60 bus as above.

Get around

Anstruther can readily be explored on foot, see above for bus details if your are travelling around the area.

See

• 🌍 Scottish Fisheries Museum, St Ayles, Harbourhead, Anstruther, KY10 3AB. Apr – Sep: Mon – Sat 10:00AM – 5:30PM Sun 11:00AM – 5:00PM Oct – Mar: Mon – Sat 10:00AM - 4:30PM Sun noon – 4:30PM. Museum tracing fishing back to the days of sail, including exhibitions on engines, fishing gear and fishermen's houses. The museum has 18 boats. Adult £9. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 Cellardyke harbour. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 Anstruther Harbour and Chalmers Lighthouse. Harbour built between 1866 and 1880, with a 9m concrete lighthouse. The lighthouse was named after Thomas Chalmers (1780 – 1847), a founder of the Free Church of Scotland, who was born nearby. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 Pittenweem Priory, Cove Wynd, Pittenweem. A priory dating from 1318, with St Fillan's Cave, which is fitted out for worship. Ask for the cave key from the Cocoa Tree Cafe. (updated Apr 2019)

Do

• 🌍 Anstruther Golf Course. Anstruther Golf Club was founded in 1890. 9 hole course on sandy soil. The Rockies restaurant is open to visitors (high tea £12.50). summer green fees £30 for 18 holes, £20 for 9 holes. (updated Apr 2019)
• East Neuk Open Studios. 2 weekends in late June, and also a weekend in November. Visit 50 artists in their studios scattered around the East Neuk, including several in Anstruther and Cellardyke. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 Visit the Isle of May. (updated Apr 2019)
• East Neuk Festival. 4 days in late June. Classical music festival, with events in Anstruther and elsewhere nearby. (updated Apr 2019)

Buy

• 🌍 Co-op Supermarket, St. Andrews Road, KY10 3JS. daily 6AM - 11PM. Mid - sized supermarket (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 The Pop In, 1 Backgate, Pittenweem, KY10 2LG. Antique shop and art gallery. (updated Apr 2019)

Eat

• 🌍 Anstruther Fish Bar. Takeaway and sit-in restaurant. Wide selection of fish served in batter with chips, and the usual alternatives like sausage or haggis. There can be a queue on busy days. haddock supper £7.50, sit-in £10. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 The Haven Bar and Restaurant, 1 Shore Street, Cellardyke, KY10 3BD. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 The Larachmhor Tavern, 6 Mid Shore, Pittenweem, KY10 2NJ. (updated Apr 2019)

Drink

Pittenweem Harbour

Sleep

• 🌍 Silverdyke Caravan Park, Windmill Rd, Cellardyke, KY10 3FN. Mar - Oct. Check-in: 1PM - 5PM, check-out: 11:30AM. Caravan and motorhome site with 31 touring pitches, but no tents. There are also some static caravans on the site, but these are individually owned weekend retreats. from £25 per night. (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 The Bank, 23-25 High Street, KY10 3DQ. Hotel with bar and restaurant (mains from £10). from £50. (updated Apr 2019)

Connect

The nearest council public library is in St Monans.

• Pittenweem Community Library & Information Centre, Old Town Hall, Cove Wynd, Pittenweem, KY10 2LE. M: 2PM - 6PM, W: 1:30PM - 5PM, F: 9:30AM - 1PM, Sa: 10AM - 1PM. Volunteer run library, public computers and local information. (updated Apr 2019)

Go next

• North to St Andrews, the home of Golf, with a cathedral and university.
• West to Leven and Kirkcaldy