Get away from it all in style at Elie Cottage

Elie Cottage is a luxury seaside holiday cottage by the award-winning Elie beach in the picturesque East Neuk of Fife. The best in Elie self catering, the cottage is popular with families and foodies all year round. There is plenty to do on the doorstep but it's perfect for lazy days doing not much at all.

Elie Cottage is an ideal base for families and foodies

Over 150 years old, the cottage has recently been renovated to an extremely high standard. With 4 bedrooms the cottage sleeps 8-10 over two floors. Contemporary open plan living opens fully onto the sunny, safe and secluded back garden, which leads directly down to the beach. Watersports, golf and tennis are all on hand, and for food lovers there are a number of award-winning restaurants within a short drive. Elie is only 15 minutes from the Royal Burgh of St Andrews and 45 minutes from Scotland's capital Edinburgh.

We do love to be beside the seaside ….

October 25th, 2011

TounCryer.co.uk Published Date: October 2011

Lose yourself in one of the East Neuk’s most popular towns at this cosy hideaway in the heart of Elie.

It’s not difficult to see why Elie is the jewel in the crown of the ‘Scottish Riviera’. Its stunning sweep of beach, fine dining restaurants, quaint streets and pretty houses make for an idyllic break. Think long walks on the beach, fantastic watersports, delicious fish and chips and evenings spent holed up in cosy pubs.

If you’re looking to get away from it all in Elie, there’s no better place to make your base than Elie Cottage, a newbie on the self-catering scene in the village, just a sandy hop, skip and a jump from the beach. It’s the ultimate combination of the charm and character of a cottage that’s 150 years old and the convenience of a property that’s been recently refurbished to an exceptional standard.

Think bags of room for families, with great amenities, including a wood-burning stove and a ping-pong table, and a spacious garden. It sleeps eight in four bedrooms across two spacious floors so it’s perfect for groups needing both intimacy and space from one another.

Décor is chic, simple and modern, everything is completely spotless and even if the wind is howling outside, you can rest assured that you’ll be as snug as a fish supper in newspaper indoors. Not that you’ll be able to resist exploring that is. Elie Cottage is equipped with a great kitchen, and a visit to Ardross Farm Shop is a must to stock up on foodie goodies to prepare yourself. From their local meats to the farmhouse cheeses, home baking and tasty preserves, there’s something for every palette.

However you’re also spoiled for choice for places to eat out, and you’ll find some of the best seafood in Scotland in this small village. Sangsters has a nationwide reputation for fantastic fine dining, while the Ship Inn does the best fish and chips this side of the Anstruther Fish Bar (which in itself is only a short drive away). At the end of a long day, it’s quite a treat to tuck in to their hearty fare while looking out towards the sweeping bay, and if you order their fish and chips, you’ll get two battered fish on your plate. As for how to spend your days, adrenaline junkies need look no further than Elie Watersports.

Because of Elie’s sheltered position, it’s a great spot for beginners to try their hand at a whole variety of activities, from sailing and kayaking to windsurfing, canoeing and water skiing. For those looking for something a little more sedate, pedaloes are available for hire and organised sailing trips are available. And nothing beats a walk on the award-winning beach, reached by a short path from the luxurious cottage. Still got itchy feet? Elie is up against nearby Crail, Pittenweem, St Monans and Anstruther for the title of prettiest village in the East Neuk, so take a trip to each one and decide for yourself.

We wouldn’t blame you however if, surrounded by all this beauty, you simply decided to hole yourself up in the charming Elie Cottage. The perfect mix of the old and the new, it’s everything you could want from a seaside getaway.

this article was first published in October 2011 in the October newsletter at http://www.touncryer.co.uk

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Do not disturb: Elie Cottage, Elie, Fife

April 27th, 2011

Scotman.com Living Published Date: 26 April 2011

By ALICE WYLLIE

FOR decades, Edinburgh fowk have taken a breather at weekends by nipping across the water to the picturesque East Neuk of Fife, where pretty fishing villages nestle into windswept bays, and long walks in the sea air are rewarded with the freshest fish and chips around.

A favourite among those villages is Elie, with its idyllic beach, great restaurants and quaint, quiet streets, and a recent addition to the self-catering scene in the village is Elie Cottage, a rather charming holiday home with a short path to the beach.

Wining and dining? The East Neuk is a paradise for foodies, with some of the best seafood in the country on its doorstep. Don’t be fooled by its size – there are more great eateries in this area per square mile than in most parts of Scotland. Your first stop has to be the Seafood Restaurant in St Monans a local favourite for 17 years. It serves sumptuous seafood in chic surroundings and is always packed with natives and visitors alike.

Staff are lovely, the atmosphere is low-key and sophisticated, and their halibut with peas and pancetta is an absolute must. Anyone looking for something a little more casual need look no further than the Ship Inn, a great stop for pub grub on the shore. Order fish and chips and you’ll get two battered fish. Need we say more? And if you’re eating in, Elie Deli (www.eliedeli.co.uk) has enough gourmet treats to satisfy the most discerning gastronome.

Room service? If you like your holiday cottage cosy, modern, spacious and clean, but full of character, look no further. Elie Cottage is 150 years old and has recently been refurbished to a very high standard, with ample space for families and great amenities, from a cosy wood-burning stove to a ping-pong table. Sleeping eight in four bedrooms across two floors, it’s the perfect base from which to explore this pretty town.

Worth getting out of bed for? The cottage is a stone’s throw from the award-winning beach, where kite surfers, dog walkers and families needn’t jostle for space on the wide sands. The beach provides more than enough entertainment for a quiet weekend away, but if you want to cast your net a little wider, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.

Shopaholics can stock up on gifts and treats at Ardross Farm Shop while energetic types should head straight for Elie’s watersports centre where you can have a go at everything from windsurfing and water skiing to canoeing and sailing. Outside of Elie, villages like Crail, Pittenweem, St Monans and Anstruther all compete for the title of prettiest village in the East Neuk, and each is worth a visit.

Budget or boutique? Elie has been a favourite weekend spot for well-heeled Edinburghers for generations so it’s geared up for visitors with exacting standards. From restaurants to accommodation, good service and a boutique atmosphere come as standard. The luxury at Elie Cottage is in its simplicity and efficiency. It is boutique self-catering at its best, with modern fittings, bright, chic décor and creature comforts at every turn, not to mention enough space to easily accommodate large groups.

Little extras? Elie sits on the Fife Coastal Path so it’s great for walkers. If you’re not looking for anything too strenuous, park your car at nearby Crail then take a walk along the coast to the spectacular gardens at Cambo House . The Victorian walled garden is spectacular year-round, and a must for families. It has the largest specialist snowdrop collection of spring, while summer sees the garden transformed into a riot of colour. Children will love the six pigs that root around the garden while adults can try one of the many classes on offer (we were dying to have a go at dry stone walling).

Don’t forget to stop in at the Anstruther Fish Bar on the drive back to Elie. Regularly named as best in the UK for fish and chips, everything is sustainably sourced, from the fish, caught locally by the family who run it, to the potatoes grown exclusively for them by a farmer friend. There’s often a lengthy queue outside but it’s worth the wait.

Guestbook comments Elie Cottage is the perfect balance between a quaint old cottage and a slick, modern retreat; roomy enough to give everyone their space but cosy enough for the perfect family get-together. A week’s stay costs from £790, with short breaks starting from £400. Visit Elie Cottage to book.

• This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday on 24 April 2011

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Elie Cottage “Quick Getaway” The Sunday Herald

December 12th, 2010
E lit our paper lantern and watched it drift over the firth whilst darkness cloaked the Lothian hills to the south. In a straight line Elie is only 15 miles from our Edinburgh home but as my daughter Ava and I stood on this deserted East Neuk beach and gazed into the night, we were in a world of our own.
Elie has been popular since the railways brought the well-to-do to this beautiful corner of Fife, and the Victorian mansions are still coveted. You can see why. This stretch of the east coast cannot boast the towering scenery of the west but has prettier towns and just about the best climate in Scotland. In summer it is packed with day-trippers and holiday-homers.
Property is at a premium in the warmer months but if you want the mile-long beach almost to yourself go earlier or later in the year. We were in the newly-renovated Belcote Cottage, which can sleep up to 10 over two floors. All bare wood and quality fittings: for my wife it was property lust at first sight. The kitchen/living room opens on to a secluded garden, which leads down to the beach. The main living space also boasts a wood-burning stove, so if the weather is chilly just get the thing lit, open a bottle of red and cosy up.
The town has become a foodie haven and stores like the Elie Deli and Ardross Farm Shop offer a vast array of local and more exotic produce. But if you would rather dine out, there’s a range of award- winning eateries. We ventured up the coast to The Seafood Restaurant at St Monans, named Speciality Restaurant of the Year 2008 in the Scottish Restaurant Awards. The harbour setting is beautiful and so is the food. The dived scallops followed by sea bream – plus the Mull cheddar souffle – meant I almost didn’t have room for the chocolate and lavender tart.
Our East Neuk stay was all too brief and as we headed back across the Forth Road Bridge, Ava asked when we would be back. Soon, we told her, soon.
Belcote Cottage has short breaks from £300-£400. For more details visit www. elie-cottage.co.uk. For The Seafood Resaurant, St Monans, go to www. theseafoodrestaurant.com

“We lit our paper lantern and watched it drift over the firth whilst darkness cloaked the Lothian hills to the south. In a straight line Elie is only 15 miles from our Edinburgh home but as my daughter Ava and I stood on this deserted East Neuk beach and gazed into the night, we were in a world of our own.

Elie has been popular since the railways brought the well-to-do to this beautiful corner of Fife, and the Victorian mansions are still coveted. You can see why. This stretch of the east coast cannot boast the towering scenery of the west but has prettier towns and just about the best climate in Scotland. In summer it is packed with day-trippers and holiday-homers.

Property is at a premium in the warmer months but if you want the mile-long beach almost to yourself go earlier or later in the year. We were in the newly-renovated Belcote Elie Cottage, which can sleep up to 10 over two floors. All bare wood and quality fittings: for my wife it was property lust at first sight. The kitchen/living room opens on to a secluded garden, which leads down to the beach. The main living space also boasts a wood-burning stove, so if the weather is chilly just get the thing lit, open a bottle of red and cosy up.

The town has become a foodie haven and stores like the Elie Deli and Ardross Farm Shop offer a vast array of local and more exotic produce. But if you would rather dine out, there’s a range of award- winning eateries. We ventured up the coast to The Seafood Restaurant at St Monans, named Speciality Restaurant of the Year 2008 in the Scottish Restaurant Awards. The harbour setting is beautiful and so is the food. The dived scallops followed by sea bream – plus the Mull cheddar souffle – meant I almost didn’t have room for the chocolate and lavender tart.

Our East Neuk stay was all too brief and as we headed back across the Forth Road Bridge, Ava asked when we would be back. Soon, we told her, soon.”

Magnus Llewellin, The Sunday Herald, 12th December 2010

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