The Scottish Fisheries Museum
Whether you are interested in the history of fishing or not, the Scottish Fisheries Museum is nonetheless a fascinating place to while a way an hour or so.
Spectacularly situated on the harbour front in Anstruther, in the heart of the Fife fishing community, the museum tells the story of fishing in Scotland and its people from earliest times to the present.
Since it was opened in 1969 the museum has grown in size and in the range of its galleries and incorporates two ‘A’ listed buildings – a Merchant house (1724) and a 16th century Abbot’s lodging, both with fishing associations. In addition to the original courtyard and buildings there is now a covered boatyard and the latest gallery housing a 78 ft ‘Zulu’ fishing vessel dating from the very early 1900s.
Many of the collection’s items are classified as of national, UK or even international importance. A guided tour takes approximately 90 minutes.
Once you have visited the museum, the smell of home baking will probably lead you to the newly refurbished shop and tea-room, or even the courtyard patio for those who like to take their coffee al-fresco when the weather is warm enough.
Enjoy a bowl of home-made soup and delicious fresh baked cakes in pleasant surroundings, then you could visit the shop in search of an unusual gift or keepsake with a fishy theme!
There is also a small and private chapel which commemorates all those Scots who lost their lives while fishing at sea.
The Museum’s flagship, the Reaper, is a Fifie sailing herring drifter built in 1902 near Fraserburgh. Berthed in Anstruther close to the Museum and crewed and maintained by the volunteer members of the Museum’s Boats Club she now makes guest and promotional appearance throughout Scotland and north east England.
Various art and photography exhibitions are also held at the museum.
Scottish Fisheries Museum
Anstruther
t: 01333 310628
www.scotfishmuseum.org
A Historical Walk
A forest walk is always a good plan for a bright day. Fresh air, the outdoors and space – take the dog, the family, go it alone; whatever takes your fancy.
Fife has many different forest walks but if you are looking for something different, why not investigate the Fife Millennium Community Forest projects.
The project comprises three pieces of woodland that have been regenerated for future Fifers, so if you are strapped for time, just choose one.
Perhaps the most interesting would be an historical walk around Magus Muir. Just two miles from St Andrews off the B939, you will find a small car park and a wooded area with footpath.
Magus Muir was once a bleak open muir where Archbishop Sharp of St Andrews was ambushed and murdered by Covenanters in 1679, bringing notoriety to the site that still lasts today.
A much more peaceful site today, a 1km walk around the woodland will lead you past the graves of five martyred covenanters and the memorial to Archbishop Sharp.
Silver birch woodland has grown up on the muir and other trees have been planted. The woods attract birds such as chaffinches, willow warblers and blue tits and if you are quiet, you may see roe deer.
To the west of Dunfermline near the village of Oakley is Blair Oaks. Fifty-one hectares of mixed woodland and open ground are located in and around the village where tree planting and woodland improvements have taken place on six sites. A network of paths links the different sites.
Finally on the north side of Kirkcaldy is Dunnikier Park, containing some very fine mixed mature woodland. This had been somewhat neglected, but the project involved taking away the invasive rhododendron and non-native trees in order to improve the structure of the wood. New native woodland was planted and pathways improved. There is now a woodland trail for disabled people.
www.millenniumforest.co.uk
Falkland Palace
A fabulous day out can be had at any time of year at this National Trust for Scotland property, but in the lead up to Christmas the Palace becomes very festive with concerts and the like taking place. A great day out would be a tour around the palace and its vast gardens complete with Royal Tennis Court, combined with some festive purchasing in the gift shop.
The tapestry gallery is a wonderful sight and the staff at the palace do make children very welcome with ‘I spy’ sheets on offer. Refreshments are available in the café.
And if you go on the weekend of 15-16 December, you can combine your visit with a wander around the traditional market stalls in the Palace courtyard selling selling a selection of local crafts for all your Christmas shopping needs. If you just want to visit the Christmas Fayre and not the Palace, entry is free, but by doing both you can make a real day of it. In fact you could keep everyone happy all day but including some wreath making on the same weekend. A wreath-making workshop will be led by the Palace’s head gardener in the Upper Town Hall. Tea, coffee and mince pies are included to keep you warm, but if you decide to include this in your day, you would be advised to book. The workshop costs £8 for adults and you should call Lesley McLaren on 01337 858838.
The Ceramic Experience
If the weather really does preclude heading out of doors and you have small people – children, grandchildren – to entertain, a new attraction opened recently in Cupar could be just the place.
The Ceramic Experience is for all budding artists and painters. You simply select your own piece of unpainted pottery, draw your design and start painting. Let your imagination run wild!
Everything you need is supplied, from stamps and stencils to aprons, brushes, tiles and paint, all of which are non-toxic and food safe.
With hundreds of ‘bisque’ shapes for you to choose from, there is certainly something for everyone and that means adults and children alike. The friendly, trained staff will help you with your painting and give you ideas and encouragement throughout.
If you are not participating in the pottery painting or you just need a break, you can relax in the café with a delicious coffee and cake. Meantime the kids can be busy letting off some steam in the soft play area and ball pool.
This is an ideal way to spend a few hours and if you are particularly creative, you can make all manner of gifts without messing up your own house. Spend the day with the family, with your girlfriends or some time alone and just enjoy the ceramic experience.
The Ceramic Experience
49 Bonnygate
Cupar
T: 01334 652355
www.theceramicexperience.com
