|
Crail in East Fife.
Crail
 today is best known for its picturesque harbour. You will see
images of the harbour in many publications. Crail is a beautiful
small town with small houses covered in red pan-tiled roofs. You
will find below a walk trail around the village which will take
you back in time when the streets would have been bustling with
all the local fishermen and their families.
Crail Pottery, A co-operative of three
separate family businesses combining to bring a fabulous array
of pottery. From earthenware, stoneware, raku, porcelain, &
terracotta to garden pots, only sold at the pottery. All
hand-made and decorated in the fascinating ancient workshops.
Commissions, commemorative plates, unique wedding and
anniversary gifts. Meet the potters and see them at work. Highly
recommended. Open all year, daily from 9am (10am Sat &
Sun) to 5pm. Follow signs off Crail High Street. Tel:01333
451212
www.crailpottery.com
Crail Historic Trail.
 (Allow
1 to 2 hrs) Crail, meaning ‘corner town’, is the oldest of the
East Neuk burghs, granted Royal Burgh status in 1310 by King
Robert the Bruce. Crail was the gateway to European riches,
thriving on trading with Europe’s Low Countries. Its stone-built
buildings show the influence of this trade with Europe.
 1.
Marketgate with its broad street and avenue of trees became
one of largest market places in medieval Europe. The Mercat
(Market) Cross, the town’s symbol of Royal Burgh status, stands
in the Marketgate.
2.Crail Museum & Heritage
Centre gives an insight into this ancient Royal Burgh. Free.
. , Open Easter week & Weekends April & May 2pm to 5pm; June to
Sept Mon to Sat 10am to 1pm & 2 to 5pm, Sun 2 to 5 pm.
 The
16th Century Tolbooth shows the Dutch influence on its
design; also notable for a 1520 Dutch bell and the Crail Capon
(smoked haddock) on its weathervane. It contained the council
chamber, the court room and the gaol.
3.Crail Harbour dates
from the 16th Century when the curved pier was built, the
straight West Pier being added in 1826. The 1690s white Custom
House dominates the harbour. Today’s Fisherman land crabs &
lobsters.
4. Crail Castle, built
by King David I, stood on the cliffs above the harbour. It fell
into ruin in the 16th Century.
 5.
Priory Doocot (Pigeon House) has a distinct and unusual
cylindrical design from the 16th Century. At one time pigeons
were an important source of year-round food.
 6.
The Blue Stane (stone) is a large boulder to the left of the
Crail Church entrance. Legend has it that the Devil flung it
here from the Isle of May to demolish the church when it was
being built. The dark blue markings are said to be the Devil’s
thumb print.
7. 19th Century Morthouse
is located in the churchyard of Crail Parish Church. Here bodies
were stored for several weeks prior to burial. This rendered
them useless to the body snatchers who sold corpses to
University anatomists.
8. Crail Parish Church,
consecrated in the 13th C, has considerably altered through the
centuries. By 1517 it had nine alters and was rich in
ornamentation, vestments and books. In 1559, John Knox preached
here resulting in the destruction of its ecclesiastical
heritage. Within the church lobby can be found a 9th Century
sculptured cross.
Anstruther and Cellardykes / Ceres / Crail / Elie and Earlsferry / Falkland / Pittenweem
| 
