Located on the East Neuk coast of Fife, Crail is a charming Scottish fishing town with a small harbour. It was designated as a royal burg in 1178 and was granted permission to host a Sunday market by the legendary Robert the Bruce. Crail can be visited along the scenic Fife Coastal Route or the 187-kilometre-long Fife Coastal Path.
Things to do in Crail
Dating back to the 12th century is the Crail Parish Church, which once belonged to the Cistercian nunnery of St. Clare. Together with its walls and gravestones, it is now Grade A listed and features a magnificent tower topped by a corbelled parapet. In the kirkyard, you’ll find a war memorial and the burial sites of some of Crail’s most notable residents.
For an insight into life in the ancient burgh, head to the Crail Museum and Heritage Centre, which occupies a historic building at the top of Tolbooth Wynd. Learn about the seafaring traditions of the area and the Crail Golfing Society, which was established in 1786. In the Airfield Room, you’ll find artefacts from the Royal Naval Air Station Crail.
Dominating Marketgate is the Crail Tolbooth and Town Hall, which marks the spot where Sunday markets were once held. Dating back to the 16th century, the Tolbooth houses a bell cast in Rotterdam and features a weathervane depicting a smoked haddock to reflect the local fishing industry. Community events, dances and pantomimes are regularly held at the Crail Town Hall.
Getting around Crail
Crail is around 40 minutes’ drive from Dundee and Dundee Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United Kingdom. The much larger Edinburgh Airport is just over an hour away. Regular buses connect to Crail and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot.