The eastern part of the Fife peninsula is known as the East Neuk; neuk being the old Scots word for a corner. This is a quiet, peaceful area, with farmland and pretty fishing villages dotted along the North Sea coast. Fishing was once the mainstay of this area, and herring were landed in their thousands up and down the coast. Today the fishing industry has moved further north, but a small number of commercial boats remain, nowadays mainly fishing for shellfish. The villages are characterised by their white harled buildings and red pantile roofs
Crail: the handsome harbour town of Crail has one of the prettiest harbours in the area and is well known for shellfish. Cobbled streets lead down to the harbour (best explored on foot) while up in the town the wide Marketgate was once one of the largest medieval markets in Europe. Some nice little craft shops and art galleries make Crail a lovely place for a wander.
Anstruther: Another charming harbour with many pleasure boats berthed here. You can get out on the water here and take a boat trip from Anstruther to the Isle of May, a haven for puffins and other seabirds located a few miles offshore in the Firth of Forth. Anstruther is home to the Scottish Fisheries Museum, and the local fish and chip shop was voted best in Scotland some years back – highly recommended if lunch or dinner is on your mind!
Pittenweem: The most active of the Fife harbours today, fishing boats are a regular sight heading in and out to sea. Another town which is popular with artists, there are local galleries and an excellent little arts festival which is held each year at the beginning of August.
So the Commonwealth Games kicked off in Glasgow last night 🏅🏅🏅
The opening ceremony was typically bonkers, and featured a massive Tunnocks teacake 😂🏴
Tunnocks teacakes consist of a thin biscuit layer topped with whipped marshmallow and covered in chocolate 😋 They are wrapped in iconic red and silver foil packaging and sold all over the country, in supermarkets and often in cafes. They are a taste sensation, and the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. Be sure to try one if you’re visiting this summer!
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*If you’re travelling in the Highlands just now please be advised to avoid the Glenmore / Loch Morlich area due to wildfire 🥲**UPDATE - 14:15 on 16 July
Emergency services and partners continue to tackle a large-scale fire near Ryvoan Bothy. The emergency response is being coordinated at a national level involving the Scottish Government, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Park Authority and multiple other partners.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that the fire is currently affecting an area of approximately six squared kilometres. We are asking the public to follow the following guidance:
- Please do not travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing. A strict cordon remains in place and road closures continue to support the emergency response.
- Those impacted by evacuations will have been contacted and we would ask everyone to cooperate fully with Police Scotland and other relevant authorities for their safety.
- Residents in Aviemore and surrounding areas are asked to close windows and doors to prevent smoke entering.
-Anyone with known respiratory conditions nearby is encouraged to contact 111 if they experience any difficulties. Contact 999 in an emergency.
Thermal drone footage captured by Park Authority staff last night has helped inform fire fighting efforts and highlight the scale of the fire, but the extent of the damage and the cause is not yet known.
Overnight emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff were on the scene working tirelessly to control the fire. We are deeply grateful for their efforts, and those of the businesses and local community providing support to those affected.
We will provide further updates when we have them.
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