Anchor House stands at the entrance to the harbour in Pittenweem, one of the famous East Neuk fishing villages in North-East Fife. Neuk means nook or corner in Scots and it is a wonderful corner of Scotland to visit.
Just a few metres back from the harbour, sunlight floods in through the 3 living room windows where you can watch the fishing boats come in and out of the harbour, followed by seagulls and even seals!
Cafes, galleries, antique shops, it's all on your doorstep.
The spacious flat ranges over the first and second floors of an early 18th century fisherman's house, which later in life became the Crown and Anchor pub. You can eat in the new kitchen or at the dining table in the living room. Our own free-range and very spoilt hens will provide fresh eggs for your breakfast if they are laying. There's plenty of comfortable seating in front of the open fire or for watching the smart TV. On this floor are a double and twin bedroom and a bathroom with shower over bath. There's also a bright porch, handy for outdoor gear or even bikes.
Upstairs is another double bedroom and a second living room with fantastic views down to the harbour. There's a camp bed here for a child or hardy adult. There's a newly renovated bathroom up here too.
There's new gas central heating so it's very cosy in winter, and there's an open fire, with a basket of logs provided.
There's no outside space apart from the small courtyard but with the harbour just a few steps away, you have access to all the outdoors you need.
It's a perfect location at the edge of the harbour. As you walk down the road it's just 100m to the Dory bistro, open for lunch and dinner, then a few yards along is the FMA shop selling an unusual range of household and DIY goods, souvenirs and sailing gear. That's followed very shortly by the Larachmor Tavern for a pint, fish and chips or great curry. A couple more steps and there's the famous Pittenweem ice cream and sweetie shop, a must for every holidaymaker and local alike. Take your ice cream on around the corner to the little beach beyond the house on the rock, and enjoy some paddling, some fossicking for shells and sea glass, or picnicking on the beach. Up over the hill to the newly restored bathing pool, get there early, it is very popular!
Take any of the lanes, or wynds as we call them, heading uphill from the harbour and you'll soon gain the main street with it's lovely mix of arts and crafts shops, galleries, Barnett's artisanal bakery, grocer, chemist, post office, and the wonderful Cocoa Tree café with it's range of hot chocolates, lunches and cakes, and exotic chocolates to choose and take home.
The Pop-In is a lovely antique and curio emporium perfect for browsing, beside the only petrol garage in the area.
The Pittenweem Arts Festival will be on again in August. It's a great time to be here, the village is full of visitors and there are events, music and food, as well as the chance to snoop into people's houses in search of art. The upper floor of Anchor House as usual becomes a gallery for the Festival, so if you would like to stay during that period, only the lower floor, sleeping 4 or 5 at a push, will be available - please get in touch if you are interested.
Further afield follow the coastal path to Anstruther one way, St Monans the other way, and carry on to the beaches of Elie beyond that. Just 15 minutes by car will get you to St Andrews, the home of golf and the oldest University in Scotland, founded in 1410. There are plenty of dining and shopping opportunities here too.
