Things to Do in Anstruther

Discover the Harbour & Marina

Start at Shore Street and follow the curve of the harbour. Watch working boats ease past the piers, then wander the Middle and East Piers for lighthouse views and salty-air photos. It’s the simplest, most satisfying way to get your bearings—and the best place to begin a day of things to do in Anstruther.

The marina sits just behind the harbour wall. Expect a mix of local craft and visiting yachts, with serviced pontoons and a few visitor berths. It’s a lively scene on fair-weather mornings when skippers prep for the tide. If you’re sailing in, note that access is tidal and plan around the window either side of high water. Check availability with the harbour office before you arrive.

Practical bits make visits easier. You’ll find public and accessible toilets near the harbour office, with seasonal opening hours posted locally. Parking is straightforward at the harbour car park; arrive earlier on sunny weekends to avoid circling. For tide times, use a local chart or a trusted app before booking boat trips or planning long pier walks.

Got more time? Grab a bench on the sea wall and watch the Isle of May boats head out. Sailings are tide-dependent and bookings often fill on calm days, so check times and reserve ahead if the island is on your list. Even if you’re staying shoreside, the parade of boats and gulls makes a brilliant slow moment.

Quick tips

Arrive early for parking and quieter photos.

Windproof layers make the pier walk happier.

Check tides if you’re planning any on-the-water activity.

Top Family-Friendly Activities

Short attention spans? No problem. Anstruther packs easy wins—hands-on museums, safe splashing spots and short walks with ice cream at the end. Pick one or two anchors, then add little extras between naps and snack breaks.

Scottish Fisheries Museum

Right on the harbour, this is perfect for curious kids. Expect model boats, interactive displays and stories of life at sea. There’s usually a simple family trail to follow, and the staff are happy to point out highlights. If the heritage vessel is in, a quick look rounds things off nicely.

Boat trip to the Isle of May

In season, boats head to the Isle of May for seabirds, seals and cliff-edge drama. Puffins steal the show in late spring and summer. Book ahead, wear layers and bring snacks; sailings are weather and tide dependent, and it can feel cooler on the water than it looks from shore. Sensible shoes and a camera are musts.

Cellardyke Tidal Pool

Five minutes’ stroll east, this restored sea pool is a brilliant place for a supervised dip. Go at mid to high tide if you want more water in the basin, and pack warm layers for after. Water shoes help with pebbles. Keep it simple: towels, a flask, and a respect-the-sea mindset.

Harbour crabbing and pier pottering

Crabbing from the lower steps is a classic. Use a line and small net, avoid hooks, and return your catch gently to the water. Keep little ones away from the edge and wash hands before snacks. When attention wanes, reset with a pier walk and a cone from Shore Street.

Easy wins for rainy spells

Swap the pier for cosy cafés, the museum, small galleries and bookshops. Many spots are pram-friendly; look for baby-change signs near the harbour. A short hop on the coastal path between villages can also work between showers—turn back when the drizzle returns.

Family sanity savers

Book boats early in peak months.
Layers, hats and a spare jumper for everyone.
Snacks, water and wet wipes in one easy-grab bag.
Check tide times if you’re planning a pool dip.

Coastal Walks & Nature Trails

Anstruther sits on the Fife Coastal Path, so you’re spoiled for choice. Pick a gentle hop between villages, or stretch it into a bigger sea-view day. Surfaces vary—from promenade to rough track—so comfy shoes and a windproof layer are your friends.

Anstruther to Pittenweem (easy)

A flat, well-waymarked stroll with pavements and firm paths, good for prams and little legs. Start at the harbour, follow the shoreline, and you’ll be in Pittenweem before the ice cream melts. Allow 40–60 minutes each way depending on photo stops. Turn back the same route or use a local bus for a one-way wander.

Anstruther to Crail via Caiplie Caves (longer)

This is the classic coastal stretch—wide skies, shore platforms, and the honey-coloured Caiplie Caves as your mid-walk highlight. Expect uneven sections and the odd muddy patch after rain. Strong footwear helps. Allow 2–3 hours one way at a relaxed pace, then refuel in Crail or hop a bus back. Stick to the signed path and keep a respectful distance from cliff edges.

Dreel Burn & Billowness (short nature loop)

For a quick nature fix, follow Dreel Burn from the old bridge to the shore at Billowness. Watch for waders at low tide and terns working the shallows. It’s a peaceful out-and-back when the harbour is busy, and a lovely golden-hour amble before dinner.

Cellardyke & Kilrenny Common (quiet coastal green)

Head east past Cellardyke Harbour to Kilrenny Common for a grassy sea-edge meander. It’s breezy, open and rarely crowded—perfect for kite-flying kids or a straightforward leg-stretch with big views across the Forth.

Trail smarts

Check tide and wind before longer sections.
Dogs on leads near livestock and in bird-nesting season.
Carry water, snacks and a charged phone; signal is patchy in places.
Leave no trace—pack out what you packed in.

Food, Shops & Hidden Gems

Hungry already? Good. Anstruther rewards appetites and browsing moods in equal measure. Keep it simple: plan your food around the harbour, then wander Shore Street for indie finds and small surprises.

Fish & chips the classic way

The harbourside chippies are deservedly famous. Go early lunch or later evening to dodge peak queues. Order haddock and chips, add a pickled onion, and find a spot on the sea wall. Bring napkins; the vinegar is generous and the breeze brisk. Please use the bins—gulls have no table manners.

Cosy cafés and easy sit-downs

Shore Street and the lanes behind it are dotted with cafés for soup, seafood chowder, filled rolls and good coffee. Breakfast spots open early on weekends; tables go fast on sunny days. If you’re planning a slow lunch, arrive before noon or after the rush.

Picnic supplies for the coastal path

Pick up fresh rolls, smoked fish, cheese and fruit from local delis and small grocers. Add shortbread or tablet for a proper Scottish sweet finish. Fill bottles before you go; there are occasional taps but don’t rely on them.

Independent shops worth a wander

Galleries show maritime prints, textiles and ceramics from East Neuk makers. You’ll also find knitwear, books and well-curated gift shops. Opening hours can be seasonal, so think “afternoon potter” rather than early-bird spree.

Quiet corners the coaches miss

Stroll to Cellardyke Harbour for a calmer, old-stone backdrop and lovely evening light. The East Pier and lighthouse make great photo stops when the tide is up. For a breather, slip inland to the Dreel Burn bridge, then loop back to the shore when you’re ready.

Quick bites