A Visitor Guide & North Welcome to Cupar and North Fife, with its rolling hillsides, We lcofarmland me and coastal views. The area stretches from the Tay estuary and Lomond hills in the west to the unspoilt expanse of Tentsmuir forest in the east, and is centred round the charming market town of Cupar. Discover local history; visit arts festivals and watch artisans at work; eat locally grown produce; enjoy the area’s beautiful scenery; and explore its forests, hills and coastal paths. We hope you will find lots to see and do in this brochure. Please check directly with the venues for opening times. More information on the Cupar & North Fife area and on the Kingdom of Fife can be found on the Visit Fife section of the Welcome to Fife website. w: welcometofife.com Digital information kiosks can be found at various locations including: Cupar – Coffee & Kilts, Ladywynd Falkland Palace – Harbour Café North Fife explore, relax, find time for life

Contents Welcome 2 Places to visit 3 History and culture 7 Sports and activities 11 New routes into Cupar & North Fife 16 Family days out 21 Food and drink 23 Events and festivals 25 Travel and accommodation 28 Discovering 29 North Fife map 30 2 Places to visit

North Fife is a tapestry of interesting villages, take- your-breath-away scenery and fascinating places to explore.

Ceres An ancient village, probably named after St Cyr, an early Christian martyr. Look out for the provost with his tankard of beer. Ceres is home to the oldest in Scotland, the Fife Folk Museum and Wemyss Ware Pottery. It is also one of the locations on the , a new walking route which will eventually stretch from to .

Auchtermuchty Walk the old streets of ‘Muchty, created a royal in 1517, North Fife explore, relax, find time for life and find the statue of Sir Jimmy Shand, the famous dance band accordionist.

2 3 Places to visit

Collessie A conservation village with Cupar 18C thatched cottages, original A since 1328, Cupar is a traditional weavers’ cottages and the old market town with charming independent shops, school house. The roadside wall of the tomb of Sir James Melville cafés and restaurants. Visit the distinctive of Halhill (1535 – 1617) has an Victorian style , and the Angel War unusual public exhortation in Memorial, unveiled by Field Marshall Earl Haig in Scots (translation provided). Walk 1922. The , with its iconic unicorn, to nearby Newton Farm to see the contained a time capsule dating from 1897, now ancient Pictish Standing Stone. in the Heritage Centre. To the north of Cupar, spot the 29-metre-high Hopetoun monument, erected on the Mount in 1826 in memory of Sir John Hope, 4th Earl of Hopetoun. Climb to the top of the Mount for spectacular views.

4 Falkland A beautiful medieval conservation village, lying at the foothills of the Lomond hills, and famous for its 16C renaissance palace. Walk the narrow, Did you know? cobbled streets, Falkland is the location and enjoy the for 1940s Inverness in the tearooms, and British-American TV series craft and gift Outlander Season 1 shops.

Freuchie Freuchie is most famous for its cricket team, which won the National Village Cup at Lord’s in 1985. French masons working on Falkland Palace lived here in the 16C, and courtiers who had disgraced themselves were sent to Freuchie.

Kilmany Newburgh Visit the statue of double Positioned on the Tay estuary, Newburgh world Formula One has stunning views north to Angus. Find champion, Jim Clark, the sculpture of leaping salmon on the tragically killed in a minor shore, commemorating Tayside salmon race in 1968. fishing, which dates to Pictish times. Newburgh is famous for its orchards, A plaque on the Masonic Hall some of which date back to 1191 when commemorates Herbert Asquith, Prime Benedictine from Abbeville in Minister from 1908. Stroll through Ladybank France planted trees around Lindores forest, mostly Scots pine with a lovely . avenue of 150-year-old beech trees. From Newburgh, follow the coast road along the estuary, past the remains of Monimail 15C Denmylne Castle, and through The 16C Monimail tower in the Balmerino and to Newport, village of Monimail is a remnant enjoying the beautiful views as you of a medieval palace of the go. Archbishops of St Andrews. 7 5 Places to visit

Newport-on-Tay Tayport Newport is the site of An historic harbour, located at the mouth McGonagall’s Beautiful of the just north of Railway Bridge of the Tentsmuir forest and with Silvery Tay. Tragically attractive views across the bridge collapsed one the Tay to the Broughty stormy December night in 1879. The Ferry coastline. town also has an old ferry terminus and grand Victoria villas. Wormit Here you will find the memorial to the passengers and crew of the The Tay road bridge was opened by the train who died in the Tay railway bridge Queen Mother in 1966. At the Newport disaster on 28 December 1879. end of the bridge, there is a memorial obelisk to the workers who died during construction. Look out for the ‘gateway’ sculpture by Shaeron Averbuch, erected in 2004 to highlight the .

8 6 History and culture

Cupar & North Fife is full of history. Explore its conservation villages, its magnificent renaissance palace, its stunning Edwardian mansion and its historically important abbeys.

Balmerino Abbey The abbey ruins, located in the charming village of Balmerino on the Tay coast, are a fine example of a 13C Cistercian monastery. The grounds contain an ancient Spanish chestnut tree. The abbey is under the care of the National Trust for Scotland. w: nts.org.uk/Balmerino-Abbey

Cupar Heritage Centre Located in renovated buildings at , the centre displays artefacts and information about life in the area. w: cuparheritage.co.uk

Falkland Palace The splendid renaissance country palace, built by James IV and James V in the 1500s, was a favoured hunting retreat for the Stuart monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots. It boasts stunning interiors, and the Chapel Royal, dating from the reign of Charles I, is still used as a place of worship for the parish. Visit the beautiful gardens and the oldest remaining Real Tennis court in Britain. The historic orchard is home to many rare species of wild flowers and insects. Check out the many gifts and Palace souvenirs for sale in the gift shop. Falkland Palace and gardens are cared for by the National Trust for Scotland. w: nts.org.uk/Falkland 7 History and culture Fife Folk Museum The Fife Folk Museum exhibits artefacts from a bygone rural lifestyle. It has a fascinating collection of old farming implements, tools, domestic equipment and costumes. The museum and museum shop are housed in a 17C Weigh House and cottages. The Weigh House tearoom serves delicious home- made food. w: fifefolkmuseum.org

Hill of Tarvit Downton Abbey fans need look no further to find this wonderful example of Edwardian stately living. Remodelled by renowned Scottish architect Sir in 1906, it is fascinating for preserving the record of life both upstairs and downstairs. There’s plenty to do from getting stuck into period parlour games to admiring the beautiful Chinese porcelain and Raeburn paintings. Explore the gardens, woods, open heath and parkland which surround the house. Try out a game of pitch-and-putt or croquet on the terrace then relax ? with lunch or our scrumptious DidFalkland you Palace, know Fife Folk homemade cakes and scones Museum, St Athernase Church, in the tea room. is Hill of Tarvit mansion house and cared for by the National Trust the sugar beet factory in Cupar are all featured buildings in for Scotland. Scotland’s Year of Innovation, w: nts.org.uk/Hill-of-Tarvit Architecture & Design 2016.

8 The House of Falkland “A rare and undiscovered jewel” built between 1839 and 1844 by William Burn, a pre-eminent country house architect in the Victorian era, with exquisite arts and crafts-style interiors. It is currently in use as a residential school; group visits can be arranged by phoning the Falkland Centre for Stewardship on 01337 858838. w: centreforstewardship.org.uk

Laing Museum, Newburgh The museum was gifted to the town by local historian Alexander Laing, and houses his collection of unusual artefacts. Visits are by appointment. The museum shares a building with the Newburgh Library and Heritage Centre, which has a display of the history of the area. t: 01334 828180 w: onfife.com/venues/laing-museum

11 9 Fife has been voted No 1 outdoor destination by Scottish Natural Heritage every year since 2009.

History and culture

Lindores Abbey, Newburgh An important 12C Tironensian abbey, until it was sacked by John Knox and his supporters in 1559. The abbey is believed to have been the birthplace of Scottish whisky. Lindores Abbey and are part of the historic pilgrimage paths across Fife from in the west to St Andrews in the east. w: scottishchurches.org.uk St Athernase Church, A 12C Norman church in an historic conservation setting. The best preserved Romanesque parish church in Scotland, according to Professor John R Hume. Open to visitors by appointment. w: leucharsstathernase.org.uk Scotstarvit Tower, Craigrothie 15C tower, remodelled between 1550 and 1570. Home of Sir John Scot, the author of Who do you think you are? Scot of Scotstarvit’s Staggering State of the Many people visit Fife to find out about their ancestors and their family tree. The Scots Statesmen. For access, collect a key Fife Family History Society is a charity from the Hill of Tarvit mansion house or registered in Scotland with the aim of phone the mansion in advance on 01334 promoting Fife family history. Contact the 653127. secretary if you need help to find out about w: historic-scotland.gov.uk your family connections, or look up the website for further information. Wemyss Ware Pottery, Ceres e: [email protected] The highly collectable Wemyss Ware w: fifefhs.org pottery, with origins in the 19C, is now produced by the Griselda Hill Pottery in Alternatively, visitors with family connections in North Fife can discover Ceres, where there is a visitor centre and more about their family roots by shop. Every piece is unique and hand- contacting scottishancestor.co.uk, a painted using a secret technique. service based in Lindores. w: wemyssware.co.uk 10 Sports and activities

The great outdoors ? If you love the great outdoors, Did you know Fife has been voted North Fife is the place for you. No 1 outdoor destination by It has a wealth of walking and Scottish Natural Heritage every cycling trails and tracks to explore, year since 2009. along with country sports, off- road driving, sailing and, of course, golf. Check out the Things To Do section of the Welcome to Fife website to find everything to see and do outdoors in Fife. 13 w: welcometofife.com 11 Sports and activities

Balloon flights Take a flight from Falkland Golf Club to see the area in all its majesty. w: virginballoonflights.co.uk Country sports Newton Hill Country Sports near Wormit offers outdoor pursuits including quad biking, off-road driving, shooting and fishing. The centre specialises in group sessions and visitors should phone to organise bookings in advance on 01382 330519. w: newtonhillatv.co.uk The rivers Tay and Eden provide excellent fishing. A number of fisheries welcome visiting anglers including Lochmill Reservoir, Golden Loch Fishery and the Park View Trout Fishery near Collessie. w: fifefishingguide.co.uk w: wheretofish.co.uk Horse riding For riding schools contact Barbarafield Riding School at Craigrothie or Highfield Equestrian at Howe, near Giffordtown. Lessons, events and hacking are all available. Riders bring their horses to Lindores Cross Country, where there are excellent equestrian facilities and luxury accommodation overlooking the stunning countryside landscape. w: barbarafield.co.uk w: highfieldathowe.com w: lindoresxc.co.uk A number of shooting estates across the region offer commercial shooting of various 14 game, eg Birkhill Castle, near Cupar. 12 w: birkhillcastle.org.uk Roe and deer stalking can be arranged by a number of companies in the Fife area, eg Woodmill Shootings, Lindores. w: woodmillshootings.com Learn how to drive a 4WD off road at the Scottish Off-Road Driving Centre at Strathmiglo, one of the most challenging 4 x 4 off-road driving courses in Scotland. Phone 01337 860520 to book sessions in advance. w: scotoffroad.co.uk Explore nature – cycling, walking and nature reserves There are many varied walking, cycling and hiking routes across North Fife’s countryside and along its coastline. w: walking-routes.co.uk/Scot/Fife.htm w: discoverfife.net w: cyclefife.com There are 24 Kingdom of Fife Millennium Cycle Ways in the area, signposted from access points in Cupar, Newburgh, Auchtermuchty, Tayport and Newport-on-Tay. For the more adventurous cyclist, there are off-road cycling routes in forestry land, including Tentsmuir and Pitmedden forest. The Tay estuary is one of the defining areas of North Fife, providing visitors with many spectacular views and rewarding walks. White-tailed sea eagles can be spotted along the estuary and in the Fife forests. These eagles, the largest bird of prey in the UK, were reintroduced to east Scotland in 2009. The North Fife stretch of the Fife Coastal Path, along the south of the Tay estuary, is one of the most diverse on the 150km route. The route is well signposted with wooden signs, fence markers and stickers on lamp posts and poles. See the map overleaf. 14 15 w: fifecoastalpath.co.uk 13 Sports and activities

The Lomond Hills are Fife’s most prominent landmarks. The Lomond Hills Regional Park is the centre of 25 square miles of moorland, lochs and farmland. The area was designated as Scotland’s first Regional Park in 1986. It is a vast area with numerous access points and a huge network of paths and interesting features. w: fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk/lomond-hills

The Falkland Estate takes in native woodlands, an organic farm and countryside just below the Lomond hills, with many walks and cycle trails. The estate is managed by the Centre for Stewardship, which runs volunteering programmes and learning opportunities around its key themes of wood, food and crafts. w: centreforstewardship.org.uk

For gentler walks, go red-squirrel watching in the woodlands of Ladybank forest. If you enjoy bird watching, explore Birnie and Gaddon lochs, Collessie, for over-wintering ducks; and the Eden estuary, , for wading birds. If you are here in the winter, search for snow buntings in Tentsmuir forest. w: fifecoastandcountrysidetrust.co.uk/local-nature-reserves

Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve near Tayport is an internationally recognised habitat for plants, birds, insects and animals such as basking seals, red squirrels, deer, wildfowl and otters. Thousands of grey and common seals come each year to moult, breed and have their pups and it is a truly memorable experience to see them basking on the sandbars. Look out for grey seal pups between October and December and common seal pups in June and July.

Trails and cycle tracks are clearly marked to help visitors discover the vast woodlands, windswept dunes and stunning beaches. It’s a perfect place for family expeditions, picnics, leisurely walks or exploring. There are access points at Kinshaldy, Tayport (closest for public transport) and Morton Lochs. w: scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/tentsmuir Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors responsibly: follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. w: outdooraccess-scotland.com

14 For more detailed information visit w: fifecoastalpath.co.uk or look out for the Fife Coastal Path map at visitor information centres. In Newburgh the Path follows the shoreline before crossing farm fields and rising to the crest of high land giving spectacular views over the Tay Estuary. Rough grass tracks and steep climbs not suitable Enjoy the Fife Dunfermline street map to be inserted for cycling and will appeal to more energetic walkers. Coastal Path

From Glenduckie to Balmerino the Path moves inland and continues along grassy tracks across undulating farmland. Steep hills cut through dense woodland on Ayton Hill. The Path skirts Norman’s Law before descending to follow quiet country lanes towards Balmerino. A demanding rural stretch.

From Balmerino Abbey, the Path crosses farmland and woods and is narrow and undulating, requiring careful navigation at times. Several gates to negotiate and two sets of stairs make it unsuitable for cycling. The eastbound route offers great views of the two Tay Bridges and becomes suitable for all abilities from Wormit Bay eastwards through Newport-on-Tay.

At the Tay Road Bridge the Coastal Path merges with the Kingdom Cycle Route as it follows the river to the harbourside village of Tayport, with a café, pub and public toilets. From Tayport the Path stays close to the of Tay as it heads along a trail into Tentsmuir Forest, skirting the sands of the shoreline. Ideal for cyclists and walkers to enjoy the natural terrain of Tentsmuir Forest. 17 15 Waterstone Crook Leisure Centre Tayport Marina Tay Railway Bridge Tentsmuir Forest Cupar and North Fife Newport-On-Tay

Balmerino Tayport Abbey Wormit

Balhelvie Fife Coastal Path Newton Hill Country Sports Events Farm Wormit Boating Club Newburgh Sailing Club Cupar Leisure Centre Fruit Markets Lindores Cross Country Fife Jazz Festival St. Athernase Church, Leuchars Eden Mill Distillery & Brewery Highland Games Golden Loch Fishery Cupar Flower Show Food Eden Estuary Laing Museum Woodmill Shootings Highland Games Fife Coastal Path Lindores Abbey Cupar Arts Festival Guardbridge Outdoors Newburgh Farmers’ Market Cupar Heritage Centre Pittormie St Andrews Wee Kingdom Fruit Farm

Fife Show Family Lochmill Lindores Daftmill Reservoir Cairnie Cupar Monimail Distillery Fruit Farm To w e r Hill of Tarvit Sports Colessie Cairnie Mega Maze Scotstarvit Tower Scottish Kingarrock Hickory Pitmedden Forest Deer Golf Course Birnie Loch Centre Auchtermuchty

Heritage Fife Zoo Ceres Ladybank Park View Highfield Barbarafield Fife Folk Museum Scottish Off Road Forest Trout Equestrian Riding School Fishery Wemyss Ware Pottery Driving Centre Muddy Boots Pillars of Adventure Playground Highland Games Hercules Chillilicious Muddy Boots Farm Shop

Falkland Falkland Palace

House of Falkland Stables Fife Sing / Falkland Traditional Music Festival

Centre for Stewardship Events

Disclaimer: This is not a geographically accurate map, but a Falkland Estate / Centre for Stewardship representation of the variety of destinations in North Fife. It should not be followed as a road map. Lomond Hills Designed by Claire Hubbard Virgin Balloon Flights © Falkland Stewardship Trust 2016 Falkland Tennis Club / Falkland Cricket Club Waterstone Crook Leisure Centre Tayport Marina Tay Railway Bridge Tentsmuir Forest Cupar and North Fife Newport-On-Tay

Balmerino Tayport Abbey Wormit

Balhelvie Fife Coastal Path Newton Hill Country Sports Events Farm Wormit Boating Club Newburgh Sailing Club Cupar Leisure Centre Fruit Markets Lindores Cross Country Fife Jazz Festival St. Athernase Church, Leuchars Eden Mill Distillery & Brewery Highland Games Golden Loch Fishery Cupar Flower Show Food Eden Estuary Laing Museum Woodmill Shootings Highland Games Fife Coastal Path Lindores Abbey Cupar Arts Festival Guardbridge Outdoors Newburgh Farmers’ Market Cupar Heritage Centre Pittormie St Andrews Wee Kingdom Fruit Farm

Fife Show Family Lochmill Lindores Daftmill Reservoir Cairnie Cupar Monimail Distillery Fruit Farm To w e r Hill of Tarvit Sports Colessie Cairnie Mega Maze Scotstarvit Tower Scottish Kingarrock Hickory Pitmedden Forest Deer Golf Course Birnie Loch Centre Auchtermuchty

Heritage Fife Zoo Ceres Ladybank Park View Highfield Barbarafield Fife Folk Museum Scottish Off Road Forest Trout Equestrian Riding School Fishery Wemyss Ware Pottery Driving Centre Muddy Boots Pillars of Adventure Playground Highland Games Hercules Chillilicious Muddy Boots Farm Shop

Falkland Falkland Palace

House of Falkland Stables Fife Sing / Falkland Traditional Music Festival

Centre for Stewardship Events

Disclaimer: This is not a geographically accurate map, but a Falkland Estate / Centre for Stewardship representation of the variety of destinations in North Fife. It should not be followed as a road map. Lomond Hills Designed by Claire Hubbard Virgin Balloon Flights © Falkland Stewardship Trust 2016 Falkland Tennis Club / Falkland Cricket Club Sports and activities

Golf Fife is famous as the home of golf, but don’t limit yourself to the Old Course in St Andrews – there are many other excellent golf courses in the area, where a warm welcome awaits visitors.

For a truly historical experience, tee off at the nine- hole Kingarrock Hickory Golf Course. You will receive a vintage pencil bag containing a set of original hickory-shafted clubs, balls and all you’ll need to experience the game as it was played in the “Roaring 20s”. At the end of your game, enjoy some delicious ginger beer and home baked shortbread with the compliments of the house. The course is set in the picturesque grounds of the Hill of Tarvit estate, and is maintained as traditionally as possible. The Kingarrock is a truly unique experience for golfers of all standards. w: kingarrock.com For a more up-to-date experience, try some of the other golf clubs in the area: Cupar Golf Club, founded in 1855, is believed to be the oldest nine-hole golf course in the world. Drumoig, near Leuchars, provides the complete package of modern championship golf course, luxury hotel accommodation, driving range and restaurant. Elmwood Golf, one mile west of Cupar, has 18 holes of challenging parkland golf, a driving range and a golf academy, as well as a fully licensed restaurant.

18 Falkland Golf Club has a short but testing nine-hole course, well suited to families and to players who are new to the game. Ladybank Golf Club is regarded as one of the finest inland tests of golf in Scotland. It is often used as a final qualifying venue for the Open Championship when it takes place at St Andrews. Scotscraig Golf Club, near Tayport, founded in 1817, is a challenging course, with fierce bunkering, undulating fairways and punishing gorse. w: cupargolfclub.co.uk w: drumoiggolfhotel.com w: elmwoodgolf.co.uk w: falklandgolfclub.com w: ladybankgolf.co.uk w: scotscraiggolfclub.com

21 19 Sports and activities

Sports There are two Leisure Centres in the area, one in Cupar and one in Newport-on-Tay (Waterstone Crook), which offer various activities, including gym, swimming, sports hall, squash and football. Check each centre for details of activities and opening hours. w: fifeleisure.org.uk

The Tay estuary is a popular sailing destination. Boat clubs in Newburgh, Wormit and Tayport hold regular events and welcome visitors. The inner Tay estuary can be cruised for most of its length towards Perth, and visiting craft can find moorings in Tayport harbour, a sheltered marina with around 100 berths. w: newburghsailingclub.org w: wormitboatingclub.org.uk 22 20 w: tayportharbour.org.uk Family days out

North Fife provides lots of different activities for memorable family days out – whether you are into sport, animals, painting or just relaxing with an excellent cup of coffee while your children run amok in a maize maze. Have a look at the Sports and activities section for further ideas.

Cairnie Mega Maze, Cupar This is a very popular family destination, with a range of energetic activities for children, a farm shop and a tearoom. From July to October you can let your children loose in the Mega Maze (a maze crafted out of a field of maize that grows up to eight feet tall) while you enjoy a delicious strawberry cream tea in the tearoom. You can also pick your own soft fruit in the nearby fields. 23 w: cairniefruitfarm.co.uk 21 Family days out

FIfe Zoo, Collessie Scottish Deer Centre, near Cupar Fife Zoo (under construction in 2016) The award-winning Scottish Deer centre will provide a home for exotic and is one of Fife’s biggest visitor attractions endangered species and is sure to and an ideal family day out. become a family favourite, alongside its The centre is home to 14 species of soft play area for kids. The unique, eco- deer, otters, rare species such as wildcat, friendly Africafé is already open for teas, and Fife’s only wolf pack. Visitors coffees and freshly-made food. are encouraged to learn about the w: fifezoo.co.uk animals, and rangers are available to provide information and regular tours – including the ‘nose-to-nose’ experience with friendly, hand-reared deer. There are displays of falconry, children’s play areas, a trailer ride round the park and a tree-top walk to explore. You can relax in the café that looks out to the charming courtyard, or browse the Highland Food and Whisky Shop, the Muddy Boots Kids Adventure Woollen Mill outlet and the Playground, Balmalcolm centre’s gift shop. Muddy Boots is a family-friendly farm w: tsdc.co.uk shop and play centre for children. Wee Kingdom, Cupar Children’s activities include pottery Award-winning soft play centre, with a painting, covered and outdoor play large two-storey play frame, with slide, areas, grass sledging and a jumping flying fox and ball pool, providing hours pillow. The conservatory of entertainment for children aged up café menu includes to 11. A café provides food and drink fresh produce grown throughout the day, with views of the on the farm. soft play area. w: muddybootsfife.com24 w: weekingdom.com 22 Food and drink

North Fife has a wide range of delicious produce on offer, ranging from venison, game and Angus beef to soft fruit, cakes and pastries and delicious home-made ice cream. Farm shops and the regular food markets in Cupar and Falkland offer a great selection of seasonal local produce. The Fife Food Network is dedicated to showcasing and promoting the region’s many food producers, retailers, restaurants, hotels and cafés. The website has details of events, local suppliers, tours and recipes. w: foodfromfife.co.uk

Butchers Are you staying in self-catering accommodation? Why not visit one of North Fife’s first class butchers for local meat and home-made steak pies: Minicks in Cupar, Ladybank and Newport, or Cheynes in Newburgh.

Beer, whisky and wine Daftmill distillery is on a working farm and is one of Scotland’s newest and smallest distilleries. You can arrange a guided tour to see how the farm uses barley and water from its artesian well to create a distinctive ‘lowland’ whisky. w: daftmill.com Did you know? Eden Mill Distillery and Brewery, Guardbridge, is Cupar & North Fife has a Michelin-starred restaurant - the the first craft distillery and brewery in Scotland. Peat Inn; a restaurant run by The legendary Haig family first made whisky Professional Masterchef winner at Eden Mill in 1810. Tours are available, but Jamie Scott – the Newport in Newport-on-Tay; and an please pre-book. AA 2 star rosette restaurant - w: edenmill.com Ostler’s Close in Cupar.

23 Food and drink

Cupar is home to Luvian’s Bottle Shop, Scotland’s first chilli farm, and the known internationally for its fabulous most northerly in the UK. Their farm range of malt whiskies. Luvian’s also shop sells everything chilli. stocks an extensive collection of fine w: balhelvie.co.uk wines and spirits, has a tempting deli w: cairniefruitfarm.co.uk and sells its own award-winning ice- cream. w: chillilicious.co.uk w: muddybootsfife.com Farm shops and local produce w: pillars.co.uk You can buy ready-picked or pick w: pittormiefruitfarm.co.uk your own raspberries, strawberries w: seriouslygoodvenison.co.uk and other soft fruit from Cairnie Fruit Food markets Farm, near Cupar, and Pittormie Fruit A farmers’ market takes place in the Farm and nursery, near Dairsie. Fresh Crossgate, Cupar on the strawberries are also available from third Saturday of every Lang’s trailer on the A91 just west of month, selling a wide Cupar. variety of local produce. Muddy Boots, Balmalcolm, and Pillars w: fifefarmersmarket.co.uk of Hercules, near Falkland, sell fruit, A food market takes eggs, vegetables and other produce place in Falkland Town Hall every grown on their farms. Saturday morning (excluding the last Balhelvie Farm, east of Newburgh, Saturday of the month) where you rears Aberdeen Angus beef and lamb, can buy delicious, local food: fresh which it sells in its farm shop and and tasty ingredients, wholesome at farmers’ markets in Fife. Venison fruit and vegetables and healthy reared on the Fletchers’ farm in bites all produced within the local Auchtermuchty is sold on-line and at community. Jamesfield Farm Shop, Abernethy. w: centreforstewardship.org.uk/local- The Chillilicious Farm in Ceres is food-works/

24 Events and festivals

February Fife Jazz Festival - check out the website for performers and venues. w: fifejazzfestival.com

May Open Studios North Fife North Fife has a significant population of artists and professional designer-makers. Many of them open their workspaces to visitors annually on the first full weekend in May, during the award-winning Open Studios North Fife. You can speak to the artists, buy directly from them, join their workshops and classes or just enjoy an inspiring range of creativity, from paintings, ceramics and jewellery, to work in glass, metal, wood and textiles. Many of the galleries and quality gift shops in the area stock the work of local makers. The local press will have news of other regular craft events in the area. w: openstudiosfife. co.uk w: createinfife.co.uk w: fcac.co.uk

Fife Show, Cupar is a traditional agricultural show of long standing; a great opportunity to find out more about the local agricultural scene in Fife. w: fifeshow.com

25 Events and festivals Fife Sing is a traditional singing festival, which takes place in Falkland, attracting singers from across the UK. w: springthyme.co.uk/fifesing/

June Cupar Arts Festival is an international festival of contemporary visual art which takes place biannually in Cupar for one week in June. Artworks by established professional visual artists from across the UK and overseas create a curated art trail around the town. These commissioned projects take the form of temporary public artworks, performance art and exhibitions which challenge and delight visitors as they discover them in a range of unconventional sites and spaces. The festival programme also includes music and family events. The festival will take place in 2016, 2018 and biennially thereafter. w: cupararts.org.uk

June and July Highland Games take place at various locations in North Fife, including Ceres, Cupar and Newburgh. w: shga.co.uk w: newburghgames.co.uk w: ceresgames.co.uk

Falkland Traditional Music Festival offers a weekend of ceilidhs, concerts, workshops and a range of traditional music and song competitions in a wonderful historic setting. w: falklandtradfest.org.uk 26 August April – October Cupar Flower show Scotland’s Gardens Visit some of The Cupar flower show attracts the beautiful private gardens open a wide range of horticultural in the Cupar & North Fife area under enthusiasts from Fife and beyond the Scotland’s Gardens scheme. and is focused on providing its Some are open on specific dates and visitors with access to quality others by arrangement. exhibits. w: scotlandsgardens.org/gardens/ w: cuparflowershow.co.uk district/13 August – October Newburgh fruit markets, at which plums and apples are sold from the local orchards. w: newburghorchards.org.uk

27 Travel and accommodation

There are train stations at Ladybank, Cupar and Leuchars, with regular trains to , Edinburgh and further afield. The area is well connected by bus in all directions. Information can be obtained from: w: travelinescotland.com w: welcometofife.com/travel w: visitscotland.com/travel w: stagecoachbus.com In the Cupar & North Fife area you can find hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation, caravan parks and camping. w: welcometofife.com/accommodation w: visitscotland.com/accommodation

welcometofife.com/accommodation 30 28 Discovering the rest of Scotland

From your base in North Fife, you are within easy reach of some of Scotland’s most appealing destinations. A few miles along the coast you will find the quaint fishing villages of the and the famous university town of St Andrews. As well as golf, a stunning beach and a ruined castle and cathedral, St Andrews has good shopping and an excellent range of restaurants. Elsewhere in the Kingdom of Fife, there are leading family attractions such as Deep Sea World and Scotland’s Secret Bunker, as well as historic gems such as Culross and Dunfermline’s Abbey and Palace. Edinburgh, Scotland’s elegant capital city, is just over an hour’s drive from North Fife. Dundee is just across the . Visit museums, galleries, HMS Discovery and the Contemporary Arts Centre. Explore the developing new waterfront, which will be home to the V&A Museum of Design, the first design museum to be built in the UK outside . Head north to discover the city of Perth – the “Gateway to the Highlands” – or west to Stirling to visit its castle and the Wallace Monument. Over to the south west the Falkirk wheel and the renowned Kelpies are well worth a visit.

welcometofife.com/accommodation 30 29 32 North Fife This guide is published by Cupar Local Tourism Association, a not for profit community organisation. Cupar LTA is made up of tourism businesses within the area and is part of Fife Tourism Partnership. This guide is produced in good faith based on the information provided by organisations within Fife’s tourism industry. Cupar LTA has taken reasonable steps to confirm that the information contained in the guide is correct at the time of going to press (May 2016). It cannot guarantee that the information is and remains accurate. Cupar LTA accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in the guide. References made in the guide to specific businesses do not indicate any recommendation or preference and are only made for illustrative purposes. Cupar LTA cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, liquidation, insolvency or cessation of any company, firm or individual contained in this guide. Cupar LTA has not checked the accessibility of the locations, venues and businesses included in this brochure. Please check with the individual organisations for accessibility information. 33 North Fife 33