Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and timber. Afloat in the harbour outside the museum lies the
Reaper
, a fully restored
Fifie-class fishing boat built in 1902.
The mile-long
Isle of May
, 6 miles southeast of Anstruther, is a stunning nature re-
serve. Between April and July the intimidating cliffs are packed with breeding kittiwakes,
razorbills, guillemots, shags and around 40,000 puffins. Inland are the remains of the
12th-century
St Adrian's Chapel
, dedicated to a monk who was murdered on the island
by the Danes in 875.
The five-hour trip to the island on the
May Princess
(
01333-311808;
www.anstrutherpleasurecruises.co.uk
;
adult/child £22/11)
, including two to three hours
ashore, sails almost daily from April to September. Buy tickets at the harbour kiosk at
least an hour before departure. Departure times vary depending on the tide - check times
by phone or via the website. There's also a faster boat, the 12-seater rigid-hull inflatable
Osprey
, which makes nonlanding circuits of the island (adult/child £20/12.50) and longer
visits (£25/15).
Sleeping & Eating
B&B
The Spindrift££
(
01333-310573;
www.thespindrift.co.uk
; Pittenweem Rd; s/d £60/80; )
Arriv-
ing from the west, there's no need to go further than Anstruther's first house on the left, a
redoubt of Scottish cheer and warm hospitality. The rooms are elegant, classy and ex-
tremely comfortable - some have views across to Edinburgh and one is like a ship's cabin,
courtesy of the sea captain who once owned the house. There are DVD players and ted-
dies for company, an honesty bar with characterful ales and malts and fine company from
your hosts. Breakfast includes porridge once voted the best in the kingdom. Dinner (£23)
is also available.
The Bank££
(
01333-310189;
www.thebank-anstruther.co.uk
;
23 High St; s/d £50/100; )
Refitted
rooms at this modernised central pub offer loads of space, big beds and great bathrooms.
The building itself backs onto the river mouth, meaning pleasant views from many of the
chambers. The bar is enticing, with tables out the back, though its proximity means you
might be better off in the lower rooms (7 & 8) at weekends. Prices are usually substan-
tially lower than we list here.
INN
Crichton House££
B&B
