In a picturesque setting which will have changed little in the last 100 years and overlooking the harbour in the sleepy little fishing village of St Monans (shops, pubs, hotel) in the East Neuk of Fife, is Old Bank House. It forms the ground floor of a typical, traditional Scots house, which once, as its name suggests, served as the local Bank.
Facing south, right on the quayside, with parking at the door, it offers bright, comfortable and cosy accommodation for three people with an open plan sitting/dining room and a well-fitted, modern kitchenette off.
Old Bank House is an ideal base from which to explore the many attractions of the region. Historic St Andrews, with its ancient University, ruined cathedral and castle and the glorious West Sands, as featured in the opening sequence of the film Chariots of Fire - (it also boasts the odd golf course or two!) - is only 14 miles away. Edinburgh, at 46 miles across the Forth Bridge, is well within range for a day's visit. To the north, Perth (40m, leisure centres, all facilities) stands at the gateway to the Highlands. Nearer still is Dundee (26m), where Captain Scott's ship Discovery is moored in the harbour. Even Aberfoyle and the Trossachs (76m) can be accessed within the day.
In the immediate area, St Monans is in the centre of a cluster of gourmet restaurants. The nearest, noted for its excellent seafood, is only yards away at the far end of the harbour, so is well within walking distance of Old Bank House. Others can be found at Anstruther (3m) and Elie, the next village along the coast (3m), and bikes, windsurfers and dinghies can also be hired there. From Anstruther, there are regular boat trips out to the Isle of May. Kellie Castle, with its magnificent gardens, is 5 miles away, while the conservation village of Falkland, with Mary Queen of Scots' lovely turreted palace, is within a half-hour's drive - combine it with a visit to the Scottish Deer Park. Visitors can also spend a fascinating day at Scotland's Secret Bunker (7m), frozen in time since the 1950s.
Just about every small town in Fife has its own, often excellent, golf course, most of which are open to visitors at very reasonable rates. Tennis courts are to be found in many of the local parks, and there is excellent walking along Fife's coastal paths.
Heating is by gas CH (£10 INCLUDED), and electric fire in the sitting room. (First £10 of electricity INCLUDED). Bed-linen is INCLUDED and towels are available for hire for overseas visitors. Sorry, no pets and no smokers.
Other self catering holiday cottages in this area -
Pend Garden (slps 4)
West Shore Cottage (slps 6)
Sea Loft (slps 2)
East Shore Cottage (slps 2/4)
Sea Breeze Cottage (slps 2/4)
