The East Neuk

Friday, midday

Check into the recently refurbished Ship Inn (doubles from £100, www.shipinn.scot) in Elie, a typically picturesque East Neuk village with characterful stone houses and a choice of sweeping sandy beaches.

1pm

Enjoy lunch at the Ship Inn. The second floor dining room offers views of the Firth of Forth as well as local langoustines.

3pm

Take a stroll east along arguably the most dramatic section of the Fife Coastal Path (www.fifecoastalpath.co.uk), looking out for seabirds and seals, not to mention Newark Castle.

5pm

Enjoy a wee wander around St Monans. Explore the harbour area and all the wee nooks and crannies.

7pm

Craig Millar @ 16 West End (www.16westend.com) is an under the radar culinary star in the increasingly foodie East Neuk. He specialises in superb value cooking that turns creative with Scotland’s natural larder. Forth views too.

Saturday, 9am

Head east to Anstruther, the only real town in the East Neuk. Wander around the old stone streets checking out the shops and galleries.

Midday

There are other ace chippies in the East Neuk, but the Anstruther Fish Bar (www.anstrutherfishbar.co.uk) is an institution and deserving of its plethora of awards. They can name the trawler that caught your fish.

1:30pm

The Scottish Fisheries Museum (www.scotfishmuseum.org) delves deep into the industry that brought the East Neuk fame and fortune.

3pm

Break inland to learn the story of a local farmer’s daughter – Jane Stewart – turned artisan cheesemonger at the St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company (www. standrewscheese.co.uk). Superb café and shop on site.

7pm

The Cellar in Anstruther (www. thecellaranstruther.co.uk) is one of the finest restaurants in Scotland, well deserving of its Michelin star. Billy Boyter is the local boy made good in the kitchen.

Sunday, 9am

Take a gentle stroll along the beach at Elie or browse the town’s shops. n

Robin Mckelvie