Tour Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife

This East Neuk fishing village in Fife is where I was raised in Scotland. I have a deep and abiding love of this area, and all of Fife.

Anstruther gained its Royal Charter in 1587 and comprises Anstruther Easter & Wester, Cellardyke and Kilrenny. In its heyday, Anstruther was one of the busiest ports in the East Neuk and is steeped in history. Even with the general decline of the Fishing industry Anstruther is still a great attraction because of the Scottish Fisheries Museum. The museum is housed in old domestic buildings and also in the 16th century site used by the monks from Balmerino Abbey.

Scottish Fisheries Museum
Housed in a group of 16th Century to 19th Century buildings on three sides of a cobbled courtyard, the exhibits recount the history of Scottish fisheries and the harsh life of fisherfolk. Marine Aquarium: fish and shellfish of Scottish waters. West Room and West Gallery: "The Days of Sail", illustrated by paintings, model boats, tableaux of life-size figures at work, fishing gear, dioramas of fishing methods. Long Gallery: pictorial map of Scotland's fishing communities; ancillary trades tableau showing women gutting and packing herring; coopers making barrels etc. Whaling Corridor: illustrating a once-important sector of Scotland's industry. Ship's Loft: "The Days of Steam ".devoted to the era of the steam drifter. Paintings, models, original mural, examples of gear and fishing techniques. Red Fish Room and China Tea Clippers: salmon fishing and the history of clipper ships. Modern Era Gallery: model boats, fishing equipment, paintings and photographs from the advent of motor power in the fishing industry to the present day. Courtyard Gallery: examples of heavier items of machinery. Courtyard: actual small fishing boats, nets, anchors; fully-equipped wheelhouse. Abbot's Lodging: this 16C building, once the property of the monks from Balmerino, has been renovated as an east coast fisherman's home at the turn of the century, a period of prosperity due to the herring fishery. Above the family room is the net loft. Other exhibits in a former boatyard and in the harbour include examples of Firie and Zulu fishing vessels.

It is best to explore Anstruther on foot and a walk through the old streets will recapture the names and history of days from a bygone age. The Dreel River forms the boundary between Anstruther Easter & Wester and in olden days was guarded by the Dreel Castle. The Parish Church of Easter was built in 1634 and dedicated to St. Adrian.

Robert Louis Stevenson stayed in nearby Cunzie House while his father was working on the new outer wall of the harbor in 1868. The seafaring Anstruther must have made great impression on the young author.

The cottage where Thomas Chalmers was born in 1780 stands off the High Street. He was instrumental in forming the Free Church of Scotland. Other famous people from Anstruther include; Lt. Andrew Waid who bequeathed his fortune in 1804 to establish Waid Academy for the benefit of local education. William Tennant ( 1784-1848), who was born in the High Street and became Professor of Oriental Languages at St Andrews University. James Goodsir who was born at the Hermitage and became the Conservator of the Museum of College of Surgeons.

Cellardyke which was previously named Nether Kilrenny and Skinfasthaven has a beautiful and charming harbor and narrow winding streets.

Some links:
Places To Visit From Anstruther.
Scottish Fisheries Museum.
Anstruther Lifeboat Station.
Anstruther Golf Club.
Anstruther and District Community Council.
Kilrenny and Anstruther Burgh Collection.
Anstruther Pleasure Trips.
Anstruther Sailing Club.
Trips To The Isle of May.
Anstruther Baptist Church.
Anstruther Wester Genealogy.
Anstruther Easter Genealogy.
Anstruther Easter Burials 1836 -1854
(from the lair register)
Anstruther Free Church Births & Baptisms 1843-47
Maggie Lauder - Words and Music
Ian Mills Photography.

Anstruther is ideally located for easy trips to St Andrews, Dunfermline, Culross, Perth, Edinburgh, Falkland Palace, and all of historic Fife. If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me:

Return To East Neuk