Places to visit and things to do 

The Fife Coastal Path  runs directly past Gyles House, offering attractive walks to the village of St Monans ( 30 minutes walk ) and the town of Anstruther  ( 15 minutes walk ), with access to secluded sandy beaches en-route . The Coastal Path covers the whole length of the Fife coast.  See website http://www.homepages.tesco.net/~fcp/

Anstruther has an excellent Fisheries Museum ( see  http://www.scottish-fisheries-museum.org/ ) located on the harbourfront, adjacent to the local Tourist Information office. The museum's  60' sailing drifter "The Reaper" is based at Anstruther harbour ( and can occasionally be seen sailing offshore at Pittenweem ). Boat trips to Isle of May, with its seals and puffin colonies, are available daily in summer from Anstruther harbour.

 Crail ( the next village along the coast from Anstruther ) has a well-known "picture postcard" harbour. Crail Pottery has a fascinating workshop/ showroom and offers hand-crafted ceramics of a high standard. See http://crailpottery.com/

Elie ( the next village along the coast from St Monans ) has two first class sandy beaches and a summer watersports centre, including windsurfing, canoeing and sailing. The Ship Inn on the waterfront has a very good menu, and has beachside beer garden with barbecues, and cricket ! See http://www.ship-elie.com/

St Andrews:  historic university town and golfing centre, magnificently atmospheric castle and abbey ruins, city walls and gateways still extant, 15th century university college buildings, wide range of shops and visitor attractions, pubs, wine bars, cinema, theatre ( renowned Byre Theatre, now housed in an award-winning new theatre building ), golfing souvenir and equipment shops too numerous to mention. ( see http://www.st-andrews.co.uk/ ). 

Golf : the East Neuk of Fife ( Neuk = corner in Scots ).has 16 golf courses, with 6 of those in St Andrews. See local golf website.  Anstruther Golf Club  is within easy walking distance of Gyles House along the Fife Coastal Path

 

Falkland Palace : 16th century summer palace of the Scottish kings, links with Mary Queen of Scots, French chateau architecture, stunning gardens, summer festival drama productions.40 minutes drive.See  http://www.org.uk/

    

Kellie Castle, one of Scotland's finest baronial castles is within a few minutes drive of Pittenweem. Has a double connection with Gyles House - restoration by Sir Robert Lorimer and the same style of stone spiral staircase.  Now owned by the National Trust, the house and its gardens are open to the public.  See http://www.nts.org.uk/

 

Hill of Tarvit Mansion House : Edwardian mansion with superb collection of antiques and paintings. Building designed by Sir Robert Lorimer ( see if you can spot the same design of hardwood Arts & Craft style internal doors in Gyles House ). Approx 10 miles from Pittenweem. In National Trust ownership, see http://www.nts.org.ukl/

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