St Fillan's Cave

A short walk from Anstruther takes you down to a proper little cave tucked into the rocky shoreline - St Fillan's Cave, named after a 7th-century saint who apparently used it as a hermitage. The cave itself is modest, nothing you'd trek across Scotland for alone, but it's the sort of thing that makes sense if you're already exploring the East Neuk coastline.

What you get is a small natural cavity with a bit of history attached. Inside there's a stone altar and a few carved crosses left behind by pilgrims over the centuries. It's atmospheric in an understated way - damp, a touch claustrophobic, and genuinely quiet. The walk down through the coastal paths is better than the cave itself, frankly, with views across the Firth of Forth and access to coves and rock pools.

This works well for families with older children or anyone who likes combining a coastal ramble with a dash of medieval history. Allow 20 minutes for the cave itself, though most people spend longer on the shore. Timing matters - check the tides before you head down, as access can be tricky at high water.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - St Monans is barely a mile away - it's an easy morning outing before heading to Anstruther for fish and chips. Link it with the harbour walk and some of the other East Neuk villages, and you've got a decent half-day. Don't go expecting much, and you won't be disappointed.