ONLINE GUEST INFO

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On this page you’ll find guest info on :

 

• the house

• Crail and surroundings

• the Fife Coast Path

• dog friendly Crail

• restaurants & cafes

• golf 

• festivals & events

 

For more detailed information there are brochures, walking books etc under in the utility room. We hope you enjoy your stay and find everything you need - but if not please don't hesitate to call us.

 

When you leave please – 

 

• Please strip all beds, including mattress & pillow protectors, and place, with all used towels, in bags provided (probably large yellow or blue IKEA bags). Leave windows open where possible.

 

• Please remove all rubbish. Because we don’t have a garden to store many bins Fife have given us one bin only – blue bin for landfill – usually at back of house but occasionally moved to east end. However, please try and recycle as much as possible.

 

• Please leave unused toiletries.

 

• leave the house in a reasonably clean and tidy condition. In particular please do not leave dirty dishes, grill pans etc or food in the fridge. You may leave the dishwasher switched on.

 

• if you leave before finishing a paperback novel you are welcome to take it with you provided you replace it with one of your own – do not remove any of our DVDs or hardback books

 

Thanks & enjoy you visit! 

 

General Information

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Safety

 

Fire Exit

 

The stairs to the front door are the fire exit. (Please note that in an extreme emergency, the the kitchen and utility room windows are only a half floor above street level as the house is built on a steep slope.)

 

Fire prevention

 

During the night ensure all electrical appliances including phone chargers are switched off, and that doors are closed (particularly sitting room and kitchen).

 

Do not use candles or other open flames.

 

Fire alarms

 

We have installed wifi interconnected Nest smoke and carbon dioxide alarms in the kitchen and the top floor landing, in addition to smaller standard smoke alarms. In the event of a fire or carbon monoxide leak, the the Nest alarms will give a voice warning as well as a siren. We will also receive a text message from Nest If they go off in error (e.g. burning toast), simply turn them off by lightly pressing the large “Nest” button ion the middle (ladder in utility room). 

 

We do appreciate they are a little sensitive but better to err on the side of caution.

 

Fire extinguishers

 

Please familiarise yourself with the fire extinguishers. There is one on the top landing and one in the kitchen near the window. There is also a smoke blanket in the kitchen.

 

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Basic Foods

 

In addition to the welcome basket you will find butter, eggs, bread, milk, olive oil, sunflower oil, salt, pepper and teabags and some herbs in the cupboards. 

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Shops

 

In Crail there is an excellent butcher (opposite the house), baker, greengrocer/fishmonger,  wholefood shop, pharmacist and small but well stocked Co-op. 

 

The nearest large supermarket is Morrisons in Largo Road, St Andrews (about 15 mins drive) open 0800- 2200 (Sundays closes 2000). Nearest petrol is St Andrews (Morrisons and near centre).

 

Buses and Trains

 

There is a regular hourly bus service all day and evening to St Andrews (stop opposite) and south west to Anstruther, Pittenweem etc (stop 150 yards to right).

 

The nearest train station is Leuchars, 4 miles north of St Andrews. Regular fast trains to Edinburgh (app 65mins – and no parking problems!), Dundee etc. 

 

 

Heating & Hot Water

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The central heating and water is preset by us remotely, but you can override our settings of you need. The controller is in the hall next to the sitting room door. To use it first press the knob and it will light up. If you want to override it, you just press the heat or tap symbol on top of the controller. If you wish to change the temperature turn the knob left or right. 

 

Flame effect Electric Stove

 

The flame effect stove in the sitting room is electric and can be remotely controlled to provide flame effect only, or 2 different heat settings if heat boost is needed.

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Cast iron stove in study

 

There is a cast iron electric stove in the small top floor study/sitting room. To turn it on (check it is plugged in) there is a knob near the bottom right hand side which has 4 settings. 1 is off (no light showing through the hatch), 2 is light only, 3 is half power and 4 is full power.

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Showers

 

The shower in the small mid floor bathroom is instant: switch it on using the switch on the wall outside the bathroom door then switch off when finished.

 

The top floor shower has a pump which is started by water flow. There are 2 controls - the white lever which controls flow and the tap which controls temperature. To turn on set the temperature control to around the middle then turn the lever anti clockwise.

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Appliance Instructions

 

These are in the drawer nearest the kitchen door - except the TV/DVD instructions which are usually beside the TV.

 

Cooker

 

The cooker has 2 ovens - the top one also covers as a grill. Please line the bases and the grill pan with tinfoil. The switch is to the left of the hub above the worktop if switched off.

 

If the oven has been switched off at the mains the clock at the top of the oven will flash: you need to reset the clock by pressing the plus or minus buttons below the clock display before you can use the oven

 

Dishwasher

 

Dishwasher tablets are provided. The controls are in the top of the lid. Switch it off using the left hand on/off switch before setting then choose a setting. Please do not leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher when you leave but you can leave the dishwasher on.

 

TV/DVDs

 

The controllers – one for the TV and the other for the DVD are (usually!) under the TV or on the coffee table (along with instructions). lf you can't get a good picture check the aerial booster is switched on (it's plugged in behind the TV) AND also needs to be switched on in the single bedroom (plug is marked with a label).

 

There are DVDs and CDs in the wicker boxes and in the drawers to the left of the fireplace. There is a list of current DVDs beside the DVDs. DVDs and CDs must not be removed from the house.

 

The TV is digital so has a reasonable range of freeview channels and also has BBC iPlayer (via wifi) etc. The DVD player also doubles as a CD player.

 

 

WiFi/Internet Access

• network:  BTHub6-7CM2 

• password:  ewPxitCDY7kd

 

There are no usage restrictions and it is (reasonably) fast fibre connection.

 

Pets

 

We do welcome well behaved dogs but they must never be left unattended in the house except by arrangement with us. Please feed in utility room.

 

The nearest grass is about 3 minutes walk: Cross the road, take the lane to the left, turn right at bottom then follow curve to the left and the sea, and a grass area is straight ahead. See also separate sheet “Dog Friendly Crail”.

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Telephone

 

The house number is 01333 431 497. You can make emergency calls (999) or call us our 2 numbers but otherwise the phone only accepts incoming calls. The phone is in the utility room.

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Books

 

There are a range of books in the downstairs entrance hall and in the small sitting room upstairs. If you are leaving before finishing a paperback please take it provided you replace it with one of your own, but please do not remove hardback books.

 

Games etc

 

There are a range of games and a few jigsaws in the upstairs sitting room.

 

Laundry Facilities

 

There is a washing machine and drying stands (one with low power electric heating) in the utility room, an iron and ironing boards.

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Important numbers:

 

Doctors

 

Anstruther Medical Practice, Skeith Health Centre, Crail Road, Anstruther

Tel 01333 310352

 

Dentist:

East Neuk Dental Practice, Anstruther

Tel 01333 311033

& others in St Andrews (9 miles)

 

Pharmacist:

18-20 High Street

 

VET

Wilson & Partners

33 Argyle Street

St Andrews

01334 479279

 

 

Emergency Calls: 999

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The Fife Coast Path

 

The Fife Coastal Path runs from the Forth Estuary in the south, to the Tay Estuary in the north and stretches for 117 miles. The path is clearly waymarked and offers a range of walking experiences from the easy and level, to the wild and demanding. Whether done in bit sized chunks or as a long distance route there is definitely something for everyone. 

 

You can walk from the Posthouse west towards Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans & Elie or east to Fife Ness/Balcomie then north to St Andrews and beyond. North of St Andrews you’ll find Tentsmuir forest with the longest, broadest beach in Fife leading to the Tay estuary.From the cosmopolitan atmosphere of St. Andrews to the former coal mining towns of central Fife; from the small fishing villages of the East Neuk to the bustling industrial areas of the west, rugged cliffs, award winning beaches, internationally important estuaries and wildlife reserves, walking the Fife Coastal Path is an experience not to be missed!

 

Top tip:  use the local hourly bus service to do one way walks. Either start from the house or drive to one of the other villages Bus times are on bus stop opposite Posthouse for going west and 200 yards to right for going north east)

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Dog friendly Crail

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Walks galore 

 

You can enjoy walks for miles along coast path, in either direction from Crail.  There are grassy areas and beaches but watch out for the cows for first mile if you’re heading west towards Anstruther. Our large poodles love to roll in fresh cowpats so do resist the temptation!  If one way is enough for either man or his dog, why not get a bus back? An hourly bus service runs until around 11pm either way along coast that takes dogs. Apart from the coast have a look in our walk books in house for other ideas.

 

Popping out 

 

If you just need a quick outing the nearest grass is overlooking the sea, just 3-4 minutes walk away. Just walk down the short lane diagonally opposite and to the left of the house, turn right at the bottom, straight on for 150 yards then bear left and straight on. Remember your doggie bag!

 

Dog friendly pubs & food

 

If you don’t want to take a picnic here are some dog friendly places to eat and drink:

 

●       In Crail itself there’s the Golf Hotel. The bar and beer garden welcome dogs  and we have a special affection for this small hotel where the fish and chips is always lovely .

 

●       In Anstruther (go west through the town then right after sharp double bend and you’ll find the Dreel Tavern, which has a lovely old dog friendly bar and a beer garden:  Enjoy the excellent fresh fish and chips and guest beers.

 

●       In St Monans do visit the lovely East Pier Smokehouse at the east end of harbour which serves light food/seafood and wonderful smoked fish and seafood to take home . There’s a dog friendly outdoor terrace (very casual)  where you can eat great food with glorious sea views. 

Golf

 

East Fife and St Andrews in particular is the Home of Golf. Crail has the 7th oldest club - 5 minutes drive from the Posthouse - and north east Fife has probably the biggest concentration of golf in the world courses in the world.

 

Prices are reasonable on the less well known courses – quieter, and still excellent to play on, early and late in the year. Being at the sea, we get almost no snow although occasionally the ground freezes in the winter (not good for getting a tee in but your drive will bounce a long way!)

 

The nearest courses are –

 

●          Crail Golfing Society (Balcomie) (2 courses)

 

●          Kingsbarns Golf Links (2 courses)

 

St Andrews area has around 8 including the Old Course (yes if you book ahead you can play on it) and there area a number of other courses within a 15 mile radius.

For a less challenging, lower key round, do try the 9 hole course at Anstruther.

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Eating out

 

Crail

 

Julias (opposite the house) Good for coffee, teas, soup & toasted sandwiches etc

 

The Golf Hotel (lunches, dinners - and our key holders) 

 

Crail Harbour Gallery and Tearoom (toasted sandwiches etc)

 

Crail Chip Shop (good fish and chips and branching into wider range of sit down items)

 

Nearby restaurants/bar food

 

Craig Millar @ 16 West End, St Monans (lunch & dinner, expensive, lowly waterside location - emphasis on fish)

 

The Peat Inn (about 15 mins drive inland - expensive but highly regarded - booking essential

 

The Dreel Tavern, Anstruther (beautiful old pub serving real ales and home cooked food)

 

Waterfront Restaurant, Anstruther (varied menu)

 

The (very famous) Anstruther Fish Bar (big queues at busy times)

 

The Ship Inn, Elie (high quality bar food in old established inn - gets very busy at weekends and summer holidays)

 

St Andrews (15 mins by car, 25 mins by bus) has in extensive range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets) including the Grange Inn and Rufflets, both of which do very good value lunches and both a couple of miles outside St Andrews.

 

Speciality 

 

East Pier Smokehouse & Cafe, St Monans (fantastic locally caught smoked fish and attractive harbourside cafe, weekend dinners in summer (booking essential). Usually closed in the winter – check opening times.

 

Cocoa Tree, Pittenweem (speciality hot chocolate and light lunches)

 

 

Festivals & events

 

Crail Festival 

 

A diverse range of arts & music. Their website is still showing details of the 2014 programme.

 

The Festival is held during the "Glasgow Fair" holiday fortnight. The Glasgow Fair starts in the weekend preceding the third Monday of July each year.

 

Crail Food Festival

 

Crail Food Festival is now entering its fourth year and to date has attracted over 9,000 visitors. 

 

The first ever event in 2011 was dedicated to showcasing local produce and promoting local companies. Since then it has seen an expansion in the number of participants and a real joy with the ever increasing quality of our food offering which remains dedicated to local produce.

 

 

Pittenweem Arts Festival (Early August)

 

Pittenweem currently has around 30 artists resident in the village and many more in the surrounding chain of small fishing villages set along the lovely East Neuk coastline.

 

The festival hosts an exciting mixture of well-established invited artists, newcomers and resident artists, who exhibit in homes, studios, galleries and public spaces throughout the village and its environs. Over 9 days, the festival offers visitors a wide variety of exhibitions, workshops, performances, talks and children’s events, all related to the arts.

 

 

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