Pittenweem (below) with its wonderful harbour and shore facilities is the main fish landing area for the East Neuk. It has a regular fish market. Whether it is busy or quiet depends on the time of the year. Probably busiest in the winter months when haddock and other white fish are landed. In the summer months most local boats go off to the West Coast of Scotland to fish leaving only smaller craft mainly fishing for prawns.
Finally all areas require a rest and recreation area and here is where Elie comes to the fore. It has a wonderful sandy beach and a most picturesque and tricky Golf Course, driving range, tennis courts, restaurant and many attractive bars. There is even a cricket club which plays its matches on the fine level sandy beach when the tide is out, reverting to the local bar. when the tide comes in!!
This is a part of Scotland which is not known to many people from afar as a place to holiday. You now know the secret, so hurry along to this lovely part of Scotland and enjoy a holiday of a lifetime whether it be to play golf at St Andrews, sail your pleasure boat in the Firth of Forth, explore the wildlife round the coastline or the historical sites in abundance.
Take my word for it, you will not be disappointed. I wasn’t and never have been!!
The famous 13th century Auld Kirk of St Monance. It is the oldest church in Scotland still in regular use and I was honoured to be “christened” there and was also a member during the formative years of my life. The harvest thanksgiving service sees the Church decorated with fishing nets and fish instead of the usual corn, fruit and vegetables!
Photographs by Phil Aitken
Photographs by Phil Aitken
Photographs by Phil Aitken