Anstruther (pronounced ‘Enster’) and Cellardykes in East Fife

Anstruther and Cellardyke are very popular with many visitors frequenting the towns each year.

Anstruther is probably named for a Celtic Saint ‘Ethernan’ who died in 699AD. Literally translated, it means ‘Ethernan’s streams’ of which Anstruther has many. Fishing dues were granted to the monks on the Isle of May by King William I.

Local industries included fish curing, coopering, boat building, net-making and later the manufacture of canvas floats and oilskins. Today it is still a thriving port with local fishermen landing crab, lobsters for the local restaurants.

Take a boat trip from Anstruther to see the fascinating Isle of May

The Isle of May on the ‘May Princess’. Walk on this remarkable island, an important Nature Reserve owned and run by SNH. See the remains of a 12thC. monastery & the oldest lighthouse in Scotland, also incredible wildlife which include Puffins, Guillemot, Razorbill, Cormorant, Shag & many more. April to July is best time for sea birds, earlier the better, particularly for Puffins. Porpoise, Dolphin & Whale are often spotted, best late July & Aug., Seals all year round. Sailing info. line: 01333 310103 Boat sails daily, on the tide. April to 30th Sept. Tickets at Anstruther harbour. www.isleofmayferry.com

Visit the excellent Scottish Fisheries Museum while you are here. Local merchants copied Dutch architecture, such as carved gable fronts. Dutch slates, brought back in the ships as ballast, were used on the town’s houses.

The Scottish Fisheries Museum tells the fascinating story of Scotland’s fishing industry and its people from earliest times to the present. See the gear and the boats sailed. Explore the fisherman’s cottage. Award-winning. Wheelchair friendly. Open 7 days: Apr to Sep, Mon to Sat 10am to 5.30pm, Sun 11am to 5pm. Oct to Mar, Mon to Sat 10am- 4.30pm, Sun 12 to 4.30pm. Accompanied children free (up to 5 in number). By Anstruther harbour. Tel: 01333 310628 www.scotfishmuseum.org  (Map Grid Ref: C1)

The Waterfront, with views out over the harbour, has an extensive menu with plenty of choice. Offering dishes from fresh local seafood to steaks. Local, friendly staff. Open 7 days all year. Food served from 9.00am to 10.00pm from main menu and lunch time specials (12.00pm to 4.00pm)
Al Fresco during the season.
20 Shore Street, Anstruther. Tel:01333 312200
www.anstruther-waterfront.co.uk

A short walk through Anstruthers past;

1. Wightman’s Wynd. Charles Wightman, merchant and smuggler, provided refuge to defeated clansmen after the Battle of Culloden. His smuggling connections enabled him to organise safe passage out of Scotland.

2. Thomas Chalmer’s birthplace. This well loved and venerated figure was born and raised in Anstruther. Showing an aptitude for Maths, he attended St Andrews University, but in 1803, following personal losses, became a minister of Kilmany Church. In 1843, Chalmers joined 400 other Church of Scotland ministers to begin the Free Church and was its first moderator.

The Craw’s Nest Hotel & Restaurant is set in two acres of immaculately kept grounds. Popular with all whether for the restaurant served table d’hote lunch or a la carte dinner, or in the bar for meals in a traditional Scottish pub environment. Renowned world-wide for its home-made repast made from local produce. Open all year. Lunch 12n- 2pm (last orders), Bar Suppers 6-9pm (from 5pm w’kend), Restaurant Dinner 7-9pm. Bankwell Rd, Anstruther. www.crawsnesthotel.co.uk Tel: 01333 310691

The Waterfront Restaurant, with views out over the harbour, has an extensive menu with plenty of choice. Offering dishes from fresh local seafood to steaks. Local, friendly staff. Open 7 days all year. Food served from 9.00am-10.00pm from main menu and lunch time specials (12.00-4.00pm) from £4.95. 20 Shore St., Anstruther. Tel:01333 312200

3. Cunzie House. Robert Louis Stevenson, the author, stayed in Cunzie House while here in 1868 working on the harbour with his father’s engineering firm.

4. Old School House. John Martin was schoolmaster here from 1734. With an exceldlent reputation for teaching Latin, he complained that his students were d istracted from their lessons by the sparrows nesting in the thatch . His son David is renowned as an artist, painting more than 300 portraits including tHe states-man Benjamin Franklin, whose portrait hangs in the White House in Washington D C.

5. Captain Rodger’s House. Captain Alexander Rodger was born and raised in Cellardyke. He went to sea at the age of 19; within three years he was commanding a brig voyaging to the Mediterranean. He commanded the first ship of any size to sail from Glasgow to an Australian port. He successfully leading an expedition of Cellardyke fisherman to the goldfields of Australia and investing in the fast new ‘clipper’ ships for use in the China tea trade. His clipper ship Taeping, won the 1866 tea race from Foochow to London, beating the Ariel and Captain McKinnon by 20 minutes.

Captain Rodger owned the Taeping but it was captained in the 1866 tea race by Captain Donald McKinnon who had 'Dykers' (from Cellardyke) in his crew. The Ariel was Captained by Captain Melville Keay who had 'Anster' (from Anstruther) sailors in his crew. We understand there is a plaque to Captain Melville Keay in Anstruther. The crews and Captains shared their prize for the race. Taeping docked first due to picking up a faster tug on the Thames. In a truly sporting manner they shared the spoils.
 

Anstruther and Cellardykes / Ceres / Crail / Elie and Earlsferry / Falkland / Pittenweem