One of my favourite corners of Scotland is the very picturesque East Neuk of Fife so it has been enormously pleasing to me, as a Scottish country house agent, that this special enclave has kept me the busiest since lockdown first began. 

As a result of endless virtual market appraisals for sellers and video viewings for buyers, numerous bids flowed in when the market re-opened at the end of June. Indeed we have already sold more properties there in the past four weeks than during the whole of 2019. 

We’re now achieving premiums of between 10-20 per cent above the asking price, with properties on the water taking less than a week to sell. My colleague, Faisal Choudhry, Head of Residential Research in Scotland, tells me that the average price of properties in the East Neuk is now 44 per cent above those in the neighbouring Fife locations and values now sit 28 per cent above the Scottish average.

‘Neuk’ is the Scots word for corner, and the area’s towns and villages are indeed tucked away along the coast line. So what is it about this relatively hidden gem that is attracting so much attention from buyers from all over Scotland and also much further afield?

The East Neuk comprises around 40 square miles on the most northerly coast of the Firth of Forth. The lush countryside, sandy beaches and tiny fishing villages – now a haven for locals, weekenders and holidaymakers alike – were once at the heart of Scotland’s fishing industry.

The distinctive architecture in villages such as Elie and Earlsferry, St Monans,  Pittenweem (pictured above), Anstruther, Crail and Kingsbarns point to the area’s rich history and provide a sense of place. Characterised by red pantile roofs and crow-stepped gables, the style can be traced back to trading relations between Fife and the Low Countries, which led to the exchange of ideas, skills and building materials. Also known as Flemish tiles, the pantile (Pan being Dutch for tile) was developed in the Low Countries in the 15th century from the earlier Roman forms of roof tile.

The bustling villages of the East Neuk can all be discovered on foot by following the picturesque Fife Coastal Path. They combine to offer a foodies’ paradise with pubs, cafés and many restaurants that sell freshly caught seafood, including three with Michelin Stars. 

As lockdown measures ease, farmers and fish markets as well as various food festivals will once again brim with fresh produce, locally made craft beers, gins and whiskies. The area’s fertile land and relatively temperate climate are perfect for fruit growing and there are many opportunities to pick you own.

An abundance of castles, palaces, galleries and museums tell of East Neuk’s rich history, as do places of interest like the 1950s bunker near Crail. Built as a regional seat of government in the event of a nuclear war, the bunker is now a tourist attraction.

Ladies Tower at Sauchar Point was built in the 1700s to allow Lady Anstruther to change for her regular bathes in the Forth. The wiggly harbour of St Monans and its famous Welly Boot Garden has won the town various awards. Anstruther is home to Scotland’s Fishery Museum which displays the Reaper used in the hit TV series Outlander. Meanwhile Skinfast Haven, a tiny 16th-century harbour at Cellerdyke, was once home to more than 50 herring boats and the Coves of Caiplie was an early site of Christian worship.

The extensive  list of places to visit also includes the Pittenweem Arts Festival, which takes over the small town in August with more than 100 artists displaying their work in galleries as well as their homes, garages and sheds.

East Neuk’s beaches provide endless opportunities for building sandcastles and exploring rock pools. For the more energetic, there are in excess of 50 golf courses to choose from across the region, widely regarded as the Home of Golf, including one of Scotland’s oldest and most picturesque links courses at Elie. And true adrenaline junkies will enjoy Chain Walk, which, a bit like Italy’s Vita Ferrata, consists of a series of chains which can be used to scramble along coastal cliffs.

The area also generates some of Scotland’s most Instagrammable opportunities, including a boat trip on the May Princess to spot grey seals and the UK’s largest puffin colony on the Isle of May, and the stunning walled garden of Cambo Estate with its blooming cherry blossoms and swathes of snowdrops.

From the taste of fresh lobster and the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs to the scent of wild flowers and incredible sea vistas or architectural views, the East Neuk of Fife is an assault on the senses in the best possible way. Despite its magic and growing popularity over the years, it has retained its character, colour, vibrancy and charm and will continue to be one of the most interesting places to visit and in which to invest in property.                                                            

Further information

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