Almost on the foreshore, there is a beautiful little church, dating from the 12th century built by David II in gratitude for having survived a shipwreck on the coast nearby. It was restored in the early 19th century and now serves as the local parish church. It has featured in several recent movies such as ‘The Railway Man’ starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman, and Whiskey Galore’ starring Eddie Izzard.The remains of Newark Castle, with its circular beehive dovecot are further along the coastal path to the west of the village.
St Monans lies directly on the Fife Coastal Path, so is very popular with walkers, along with some of Scotland's finest and cleanest sandy beaches, so don't forget to bring your bucket and spade! This is a fascinating, picturesque, 'different' part of Scotland that everyone should see.
The coast is backed by an attractive agricultural countryside that boosts very many excellent restaurants serving local produce and a wealth of great golf courses.
Boat trips can be taken to see the seabird colonies on the islands in the Forth. Visit Kellie Castle, just outside Anstruther, and while there, visit the cheese factory where you can see the cheese-making process and perhaps take home some of the produce. The conservation village of Falkland, with the fairytale palace so beloved of Mary, Queen of Scots at its centre, is also well worth a visit. Falkland is one of the main locations for the TV Series ‘Outlander’.
St Andrews and Crail Harbour are surely a 'must visit’, as perhaps is the Secret Bunker which was meant to be the Government's headquarters in Scotland in case of nuclear war. It is worth taking the time to explore some of neighbouring Perthshire, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs and Royal Deeside, which are all within an easy day's drive.
Local Info
- Pub: 0.25 miles
- Shop: 0.25 miles
- Restaurant: 0.25 miles
- Train Station: 17 miles
- Airport: 45 miles
- Supermarket: 0.25 miles
- Sandy Beach: 2 miles
- Swimming Pool/Leisure Centre: 9 miles
- Cycle Hire: 4 miles
- MTB Trails: 4 miles
- Riding Stables: 1 miles
- Golf Course: 2 miles
- RSPB Reserve: 14 miles
- National Park: 121 miles
- Boat Hire: 2 miles
- Marina: 2 miles
- Ski Slopes: 62 miles
- Bus Links: 0.5 miles
- Water Sport Centres: 2 miles