Extracts from the Visitors’ Book at Sandcastle Cottage, Crail 2006:
Richard, Sheffield – “A lovely cottage in the perfect location – all in all a wonderful holiday. Had a great time.” June 06
Andrew, Annette & Fraser, Aberdeen – “Had a wonderful time with perfect weather. The garden was fab for relaxing! ” June 06
Karen & Steve, Chadderton, Manchester – “Lovely comfortable cottage, picturesque village, beautiful garden. Had a great relaxing week.” June 06
Charlie, Claire, Jamie & Kim, Balquhidder – “This was our first family holiday in Crail. The sun shone all week except for one day. We picked up shells, climbed on the rocks, we found the fossilised tree, we ate fish and chips in Anstruther, we visited the Deer Farm, we made sandcastles at Elie and went swimming in the sea at St Andrews. We ran our own Sports Day in the garden and played Cluedo and had a barbecue. We went shopping and won a prize at the St Andrews Aquarium for a quiz. We had a perfect time and want to come back every summer.” July 06
Forrest, Marjory, Jenny, Neil & Lucy, Cambuslang – “This is our fourth annual summer holiday in Crail. There is nothing better than to wake up on the first morning and looking forward to a week of simple pleasures. We seem to relax more each year. We spent three days at Kingsbarns beach this year. The cottage is just as comfortable and ideally situated as we remembered.” July 06
Nic, Craig, Katie & Gavin, Johnstone – “Third holiday – third fantastic time! The sun always seems to shine on us in Crail. With the addition of Gavin to the gang we’ve had even more fun. Thank you, Sandcastle!” July 06
Annan Family, Edinburgh – “Thoroughly enjoyed our 5th summer holiday at Crail. Thanks to the amazing hot and sunny weather, we have certainly brought the sand into Sandcastle Cottage! First time we’ve been here for the Crail Festival which we thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks to Susan’s tip, we joined the queue for tickets early and were duly rewarded! The girls (Sophie(5) and Emily(4)) had great fun at the Children’s Centre and, as ever, on Roome Bay Beach. Very sorry to be leaving it all behind for another year.” July 06
McNaughton Family, Edinburgh – “Wonderful to be in our own cottage once again! We’ve really appreciated the proximity to Roome Bay for paddling and trips to the park. Often we’re just here in the winter so paddling’s a bit cold. New places we’ve visited this time include Verdant Works at Dundee – a fascinating tribute to Dundee’s Industrial Heritage. We’d a lovely meal at The Doll’s House in St Andrews one evening with our friends and neighbours. Helen’s old enough now to cycle to the shops for us, so we’ve had a ready and willing personal delivery service all week. First Fruits strawberries have been delicious and Ronnie at Penman’s has always had a ready supply of stories, and sausages! Can’t wait for our next visit.” August 06
Jon & Lynne, Joe & Ruby, Chelmsford, Essex – “A lovely relaxing week with plenty of sunshine and lots of large crabs caught at Roome Bay! Ruby (4) and Joe (8) enjoyed exploring. As always the cottage has been lovely and we really like the new decor in the living room. We’ve enjoyed eating outside and Penman’s butchers is excellent for everything. Honey Pot Cafe has lovely fresh scones, North Point in St Andrews is good and very child friendly. Kingsbarns Beach also lovely and sandy. We spent a wet afternoon in the Fisheries Museum in Anstruther and the fish and chip shop is worth a visit despite long queues. Crail Museum also worth a look. We read in the local paper that a bottle nose dolphin was spotted just off the bay in front of the caravan park in July but sadly we didn’t spot anything quite so exciting! Sad to be heading home.” August 06
Jackie, Chris, Sophie, Ignacius, Phillipe & Sebastian, Roquefort les Pins, France – We have had a wonderful holiday! The weather has been great. We have become experts in Scottish history and heritage having visited Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Linlithgow, Dundee, Dunfermline, St Andrews,…. The children loved crab fishing and kite flying, walks to Anstruther watching cows, pigs and caves! It was worth the long drive and driving with our big car in small country lanes..on the left! We really hope to come back!” August 06
Carol & Howard, Consett, Co. Durham & Lois & Xhevi, Northampton & Albania – “Thank you for a fab. holiday. Cannot fault the house (we have stayed in a couple of stinkers!) Very well- equipped, very comfortable and lovely to come back to at the end of the day. Enjoyed food and a few glasses of wine in the lovely garden. Shopped locally as much as we could (chicken breasts stuffed with haggis tonight from Penman’s butchers). We didn’t venture too far on this visit to Fife, but just enjoyed the village, the coastline (Howard saw 2 dolphins on one of his many walks – don’t think it was the wine!) and St Andrews. We love Crail itself, especially the houses and the harbour – ate our first lobster there (didn’t know it was a spectator sport!) – and visited the lovely harbour-side tea room and the pottery. The people are very friendly. All in all, had a thoroughly enjoyable time.” August 06
Marian & Barry, Brackley, Northants – Our first visit to Crail but our 2nd to the area. Had a wonderfully relaxing week. Played Golf at Cupar and Anstruther (what wonderful views and a lovely little golf course). We’ll be back next year. Enjoyed watching the football at the Golf Hotel. Everyone we have met have been so friendly and welcoming. Ate at the Marine Hotel twice – the fish was superb. The cottage is lovely and very well equipped. Thank you Susan and Sandy for such a great place to stay in this lovely village.” Sept 06
Kevin & Jean, Altofts, West Yorkshire – “We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this beautiful part of Fife. Crail is very picturesque and all the villages along the East Neuk. Saw seals in the harbour at Pittenweem and had a fabulous day out to the Isle of May on the hottest September day. Spent a wet morning in the Fisheries Museum in Anstruther followed by grilled Mackerel and Chips, (lovely!) at the chip shop on the harbour front. We have felt very comfortable in your lovely homely cottage and have enjoyed sitting in the garden. Thanks very much. I am sure we will be back in the future. Excellent last night meal at the Marine Hotel.” Sept 06
Bridget & Erik, Maghull, Liverpool – “Enjoyed a very comfortable stay at your lovely home. Thank you for the excellent weather (it rained at night and the sun shone every day). Had a good lunch at the Ship Inn, Elie, sat in the sunshine. Can recommend the Marine Hotel Crail – especially the lobster salad. Falkland Palace is a place not to miss – use the ‘B’ roads to enjoy the countryside. The changing of the flags in Tolbooth Wynd is a joy.” Sept 06
Patricia & Tom, Aberdeen – “We enjoyed every minute of our visit to this beautiful area. The location of the cottage is perfect and the cottage itself is a jewel – comfortable, cosy and well equipped. The weather was exceptionally good for the time of year and we were able to spend some time in the garden after exploring the beautiful little villages in the surrounding area. We look forward to a return visit!” Oct 06
Jim, Sadie, Lynda, Thomas & Isla, Clarkston, Glasgow – “We have had a great week at the cottage. Visited Anstruther, St Andrews and Pittenweem. The weather was great, until today (very wet and windy). Cottage is great and the garden is beautiful. The kids loved walking after dark and looking up at the stars from the garden. Hope to visit again!” Oct 06
