Harbours of Fife
The East Neuk of Fife and its many harbours are a delight to visit. The compact nature of the Fife coastline makes it easy to visit several harbours in a day. Even though you have no interest in history you can't help be drawn into thinking what might have been in years gone by when many of these harbours were working harbours.
Starting at the northern end of Fife, St Andrews, more famous for its golf or most recently its royal student, has what could be loosely termed a working harbour.
St Andrews Harbour
Round the corner from St Andrews is the small fishing village of Crail. Overlooking the harbour the turret of Crail castle gives the harbour a unique appearance.
Crail Harbour
Keeping on the coast road heading towards the Forth Bridge is Cellardyke which joins onto Anstruther. The name Cellardyke comes from the words "Sil'er" referring to the shine of the herring scale in nets which were hung over the "dykes". Cellardyke once boasted several hundred fishing boats but after a storm in 1889 most of the fishing fleet migrated to the safer haven of Anstruther.
Cellardyke complete with washing line
The decline the herring shoals in the North Sea, fifty years ago, also saw the decline of the fishing fleet in Anstruther which now has only the occasional fishing boat and lifeboat station. Today Anstruther is more famous for its fish suppers - reputed by many to be the best in Scotland.
Anstruther
A few miles southwest of Anstruther lies Fifes most active fishing port Pittenweem. The harbourside is dotted by olde world houses and a few the local inns, which have served fishermen for generations.
Pittenween
Continuing westward passed the windmill lies the town of St Monans. St Monans harbour was the birthplace of some of the local fishing fleet but today the harbour is mainly limited to repair and painting.
St Monans
Elie or Elie and Earlsferry, which it has been formally joined with since 1929, probably has one of the best beaches in Fife. In days gone by regular steamers from North Berwick and Leith carried Victorian tourists to savour the delights of this tranquill setting from the 1870s onwards. Today the main focus is on yachting and golf on Earlsferry links.
Elie
Starting at the northern end of Fife, St Andrews, more famous for its golf or most recently its royal student, has what could be loosely termed a working harbour.
St Andrews Harbour
Round the corner from St Andrews is the small fishing village of Crail. Overlooking the harbour the turret of Crail castle gives the harbour a unique appearance.
Crail Harbour
Keeping on the coast road heading towards the Forth Bridge is Cellardyke which joins onto Anstruther. The name Cellardyke comes from the words "Sil'er" referring to the shine of the herring scale in nets which were hung over the "dykes". Cellardyke once boasted several hundred fishing boats but after a storm in 1889 most of the fishing fleet migrated to the safer haven of Anstruther.
Cellardyke complete with washing line
The decline the herring shoals in the North Sea, fifty years ago, also saw the decline of the fishing fleet in Anstruther which now has only the occasional fishing boat and lifeboat station. Today Anstruther is more famous for its fish suppers - reputed by many to be the best in Scotland.
Anstruther
A few miles southwest of Anstruther lies Fifes most active fishing port Pittenweem. The harbourside is dotted by olde world houses and a few the local inns, which have served fishermen for generations.
Pittenween
Continuing westward passed the windmill lies the town of St Monans. St Monans harbour was the birthplace of some of the local fishing fleet but today the harbour is mainly limited to repair and painting.
St Monans
Elie or Elie and Earlsferry, which it has been formally joined with since 1929, probably has one of the best beaches in Fife. In days gone by regular steamers from North Berwick and Leith carried Victorian tourists to savour the delights of this tranquill setting from the 1870s onwards. Today the main focus is on yachting and golf on Earlsferry links.
Elie
posted by Bill at 12:09 PM
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