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.”