ABOUT
Welcome to Anstruther, Cellardyke & Kilrenny
Anstruther is a charming fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife, along the Fife Coastal Path. It’s about an hour away from Edinburgh, Dundee, and Perth, and less than 15 minutes south of St Andrews. Anstruther is the largest in a string of pretty, old-fashioned fishing villages along the East Fife coast known as the East Neuk, and is especially known for its historical connection to the sea and the fishing way of life.
Anstruther, Cellardyke and Kilrenny have no shortage of things to do and places to explore, so spending a day or a weekend is well-worth your time. A picturesque marina hosts anchored pleasure craft, while the sheltered harbour sees working fishing boats loading and unloading creels and traps. Three piers extend out into the Forth, bringing you even closer to the sea, as amateur fishermen cast out a line and hope for a bite.
Puffins, seals and other wildlife reside on the nearby Isle of May, with May Isle Princess boat trips running from May to September. The fascinating Scottish Fisheries Museum has rotating exhibits, special presentations and galleries illustrating the history of seafaring and fishing, and the marine history of East Neuk itself.
Cobbled side streets, “two up, two down” fishermen’s cottages, and houses with pan tiled roofs and lush, planted-up front gardens provide the walker — and the explorer — plenty of places to wander through, especially with historical buildings all throughout the town still being in use today.
After working up an appetite exploring the area, there are numerous places to enjoy a meal. The “Food & Drink” section details the variety of eating and drinking locales offered — including the Michelin-starred Cellar and the multiple-award-winning Anstruther Fish Bar. And don’t forget the Scottish Fisheries Museum, a popular light-bite choice, as soups, light sandwiches, and homemade baked goods are available for your enjoyment.
Just half a mile east of Anstruther is Cellardyke, a hidden treasure often overlooked by visitors. This picturesque coastal town, designated a Conservation Area in 1977, has beautifully preserved, charming houses, and a harbour with an old bathing pool. The nearby gem of Kilrenny -the “Kil-” early Gaelic meaning “church” — is highlighted by a church with a 15th century tower. The legendary Skeith Stone, an ancient carved boulder with a marigold in the shape of a cross, marking an early sacred Christian site, is nearby.
Enough to see? Enough to do? Come see for yourself!