Scotland's east coast is home to some wonderful scenery and quirky businesses. But whether you're still to discover the area's many charms or are a seasoned local, there are plenty of places to uncover.
Throughout Fife and Angus the area is home to lots of hidden gems. From picteresque holiday spots to antique furniture often spotted on the big screen, learn more about some of the best places to visit.
At the Rhynd Farm near Leuchars, a leading clay ground centre aimed at all abilities can be found.
The SCSC is a purpose-built shooting ground catering for all abilities, with a full sporting layout, skeet and down-the-line traps. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, organising a small hen party or a large corporate day, the Scottish Clay Shooting Centre (SCSC) is renowned for its ability to cater to all.
With a team of highly qualified instructors, they make sure that everyone leaves the centre having improved and, most importantly, having had a great time. Offering introductory, standard and advanced lessons, every single lesson at the SCSC is tailored to the individual. They don't believe that everyone can be taught the same way, and ensure lessons reflect that. The team provide everything from guns, cartridges and ear plugs, to eye protection and shoulder protection.
As well as individual lessons, the centre also offers experience days, catering for groups of two up to 35 people. Instructors will tailor the experience to the group taking part, from either a tester session to a full-blown competition.
Situated in the picturesque countryside 10 minutes from St Andrews, the SCSC is within easy reach of Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Individual lessons start from £29, which includes the use of a shotgun, the clays, cartridges and safety equipment.
Find the Scottish Clay Shooting Centre at the Rhynd Farm, Leuchars, Fife, KY16 0DR. To find out more, or book a lesson visit www.scottishclayshootingcentre.co.uk or www.scottishclayshootingcentre.co.uk
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The Rhynd Café
Opened in June 2017 and only 400 metres from the Scottish Clay Shooting Centre, the Rhynd Café serves delicious, home-cooked food with a menu that changes with the seasons.
From smashed avocado on toast to bacon rolls, quiches, burgers, macaroni cheese, tea and coffee, there is something for everyone. A sunny and sheltered courtyard provides the perfect spot to relax with your morning hot drink, enjoy a sunlit lunchtime meal or afternoon cup of tea. The Café takes pride using locally sourced produce wherever possible, with Aberdeen Angus beef from Fife helping to make their succulent burgers. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available on the menu.
As well as a delicious menu in the Café, there is also an event space that can cater for parties of 20-200 people. The cattle shed at the Rhynd was restored in 2016 and now hosts weddings and other events throughout the year. It has retained its rustic charm and offers everything you need to have a great party.
Drop in to the Rhynd Cafe, found when you turn into the Rhynd steading on the way to the SCSC. They are open Friday to Sunday, from 9am to 5pm. Visit www.therhynd.com or www.facebook.com/TheRhynd/
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There are some beautiful holidays spots dotted throughout Fife. For families who have yet to book a summer getaway, consider the charming East Neuk destinations of Elie and St Monans, or the historic town of St Andrews. Abbeyford Leisure offer award-winning holiday parks in each location, all within easy access of the central belt.
At Elie Holiday Park’s Castaway forest holiday homes, a stylish choice of two or three-bedroom homes await. Set on the edge of Elie forest with views across grasslands to Kincraig, beautiful views and a short walk to the beach makes for an ideal holiday base. Within easy reach of the free onsite Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park – named after the areas connection with famous Lower Largo sailor, Alexander Selkirk – children can climb and play on the truly impressive structure.
After working up an appetite through scenic walks and play, a great family bar, restaurant and the popular Mirador Café are on hand to serve up some of the best barista coffee on the Fife Coastal Path. There are also takeaway favourites and the famous Janetta’s ice cream to enjoy. Whether for a day trip or longer stay, Elie Holiday Park offers a fantastic time for families.
All members of the family are welcome – including dogs who can stay in the designated dog-friendly holiday homes, which cost £30 per dog per holiday. Free dog beds, dog bowls and dog chews are provided.
With free evening entertainment and football coaching sessions throughout the school summer holidays, there is lots going on for visitors to enjoy. Discover more about the award-winning Abbeyford Leisure holiday parks, which have a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and winners of Scotland’s Best Family Holiday Park runner-up award.
Touring caravans and tent guests can book online to save 10% by booking 5 consecutive nights to get the first night free.
Book seven nights over the school holidays from £731 per family. To reserve your holiday, book online at abbeyford.com and choose your pitch for free. For families with young children, a cot and high chair are available free of charge.
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Situated in a beautiful spot between Peat Inn and Largoward in North East Fife, family-run alpaca farm, Bowbridge Alpacas, offers the chance to meet and learn about these wonderful animals. Passionate about their herd of lovely alpacas, the family farm offers a host of opportunities for visitors to get up close and enjoy the ‘Alpaca Experience’.
Take a trek around the farm and lead an alpaca over the farm’s obstacle course. Or take part in a needle-felting workshop and make your own mini fleece alpaca or learn how to become an alpaca owner with their husbandry courses. Or they can create a bespoke visit.
Have a special event or celebration coming up? Book a group of specially trained alpacas to make a starring appearance. The specially trained animals enjoy getting out and about and have been at a variety of events. They have appeared as “Camels” at a church nativity, at village fun days, nurseries, care homes, food festivals, birthdays, weddings and more.
Alternatively, why not adopt an alpaca over a year? For £10 you will receive an Adoption Pack by email for you to print at home. Included in the pack is a personalised Certificate of Adoption, photos and details of your chosen alpaca along with general information on alpacas. Better yet, thanks to the farm breeding high quality alpacas, you can own your own that can live happily within the herd if you don’t have the space or time. In fact, the farm were recently awarded 'Best New Scottish Breeders' at the Scottish Alpaca Championships in April this year.
The farm also have beautiful wool and alpaca products for sale and lots more.
To arrange a visit to Bowbridge Alpacas, visit www.bowbridgealpacas.com. Gift vouchers are also available for alpaca experiences.
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Scaramanga
Scaramanga was founded in 2006 by Carl Morenikeji. Whilst travelling through India he came across an old British school satchel and taken by the design, he decided to get a few made by local artisans. He sold these satchels from the attic in his home, as well as a few vintage furniture pieces from India. These satchels and vintage furniture proved to be quiet popular as they were items people couldn't get anywhere else.
Things started to grow. Today, Scaramanga is made up of a team of 10 and has become a globally recognized brand that sells online as well as out of their shop in Cupar. They have expanded a range of bags to over 50 popular designs and have had their vintage and antique furniture featured in major Hollywood films and television shows.
The design team still gets inspiration from the traditional old school satchel. You'll see the qualities of a timeless style met with top quality leather in all the bag designs. Men and women of all ages can find a style that suits them whether it's for work, adventure or travel. While the leather satchel is still the top selling bag, they have a range that includes leather backpacks, laptop bags, messenger bags, handbags, weekend bags and more. The team are proud to get reviews such as 'I've had my bag for 7 years now and it still keeps better and better with age!'. The signature Hunter leather lasts for years, thanks to it being durable, thick, naturally distressed and it gets better with age. It's also ethically sourced and comes from the same suppliers we've been working with for over 11 years now.
The vintage furniture is unique, original and not reproduced. Because of this, we've become a go-to for props buyers and set designers in film and television. You'll see a wide range of their furniture from antique padlocks to old steamer trunks in films such as The Hobbit, Maleficent, Dark Shadows, Pan, Victoria and Abdul.
The carefully curated range of vintage furniture has something for everyone, from antique chests found in Rajasthan, India with incredible detail and craftsmanship, old wooden rice crates from Japan, vintage clocks from old ships and so much more.
Leather bags and vintage furniture are matched with an incredible team at Scaramanga. Everyone is incredibly passionate and feels inspired by the quality and uniqueness of what they sell.
Visit the website to find out more or follow them on Facebook.
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Located in the charming fishing village of Crail, famed for its harbour, historic buildings and crow stepped gables, Crail Pottery can be found set within an attractive courtyard. Established in 1965 by Stephen and Carol Grieve, it has remained a family business, today run by their daughter Sarah, son Ben and Ben’s wife, Jane. Stephen and Carol also continue to work too.
Crail Pottery produces a diverse range of stoneware, terracotta planters, raku and bright hand painted earthenware. Every piece is hand thrown on the wheel, decorated, glazed and fired in the workshops.
Stephen and Carol Grieve produce a diverse range of pottery. Stephen loves experimenting with different clays, glazes and firing techniques, using earthenware, stoneware, raku, porcelain and terracotta clay. He also uses many different glazes including tenmoku, celadon, chun, rutile blue, ash, interesting experimental crystalline and many more.
If it’s individual, handcrafted pieces you’re after, each pot has its own unique character. Selling their items directly from the Pottery, customers seeking original pieces for their home will find plenty to choose from. Proud to say all pots are handmade in Scotland by the Grieve family, customers know that buying from Crail Pottery means items are one of a kind.
Visit the pottery, see the workshops, browse the showroom and relax in the peaceful yard. Find Crail Pottery at 75 Nethergate, Crail, Fife, KY10 3TX or visit www.crailpottery.com to find out more.
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The Junor Gallery
The Junor Gallery in St Andrews is all set to open their fourth exhibition. ‘Landmarks’ features ‘Scotland’s Voices,’ a major new work by Alexander Moffat OBE RSA, alongside the celebrated landscapes of Ruth Nicol and Alan Riach’s poetry. Alexander Moffat was born in Dunfermline, Fife and grew up in the Fife villages of West Wemyss and Lumphinanns, so it seems particularly fitting his new composite portrait comes to Fife.
“It’s an honour to have an exhibition of this calibre to round off my first year,” says Beth Junor, who launched her gallery in August 2017.
"This independent fine art gallery is a one-woman enterprise, presenting Scottish and European art in curated, selling exhibitions. It succeeds in its aim of being an inclusive, welcoming place for all, as visitors and their guest book comments testify.
“The nature of galleries is changing and I love being part of this move toward more inclusive, friendly galleries that are part of the community, without compromising on quality and expertise. The most gratifying thing has been welcoming many people who may never have entered an independent fine art gallery before.”
Connections between the visual and literary arts is a Gallery feature, as well as an accompanying programme of talks and workshops with each exhibition. You can find the gallery in the town centre, at 43 South Street, St Andrews KY16 9QR. Visit their website at www.junorgallery.scot for details of all artworks, artists, prices and secure online purchasing. E-mail info@junorgallery.scot . The gallery is also on Instagram and Facebook.
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