Anstruther

Fish and chips never tasted better than when eaten from paper on Anstruther harbour wall, watching the fishing boats bob in the North Sea swell. This East Neuk fishing village has kept its working-boat authenticity while becoming one of Fife's most loved coastal spots.

The harbour remains the heart of things. Lobster creels stack along the quayside, and the smell of salt and seaweed hangs in the air. Anstruther Fish Bar pulls in queues that snake down Shore Street - they've been perfecting their batter recipe since 1922, and it shows. The Scottish Fisheries Museum tells the story properly, housed in buildings that once stored nets and tackle.

Beyond the harbour, the Fife Coastal Path winds east towards Cellardyke and west to St Monans. Each direction offers different rewards. The eastward walk takes you past rock pools and small beaches perfect for a paddle. Heading west, you'll find more dramatic cliff scenery and views across to Bass Rock.

St Andrews sits just eight miles inland, making day trips to the home of golf straightforward. The historic university town feels like a different world from Anstruther's salty simplicity. Closer to home, Pittenweem and Crail complete the East Neuk trilogy - each fishing village with its own character.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like St Monans Holiday Park or Elie Holiday Park puts you right in the thick of this coastal playground. You're minutes from harbour walks, beach combing, and the best fish supper in Scotland. The A917 coastal road connects everything, though parking in Anstruther itself can be tricky on sunny weekends.