Self Catering in the village of Crail only 10 miles from St Andrews offers a unique way of shopping which has all but disappeared in many towns and cities in the UK.
Walk to the shops on your self catering holiday
This is the way our grandparents used to shop, buying meat from the butcher, bread from the baker, fruit from the greengrocer and fish from the fishmonger. It’s also a chance to meet the locals and find out what is going on in the village during your self-catering holiday.
If part of your holiday is cooking great meals using locally sourced ingredients then Crail could be the holiday destination you have been looking for.
For the kids there is a sweet shop, The Beehive which sells locally produced ice cream.
The seafood lovers can enjoy freshly caught crab and lobster from the seafood shack at Crail harbour or fish and chips from the local fish and chip shop.
Self Catering – Penmans Butchers
A visit to Penmans to stock up for the week or weekend is part of our self-catering holiday. It’s a fantastic shop with a great range of meats to choose from, all beautifully displayed. We tend to buy bacon and sausages for breakfast, pies and cold meats for lunch and steaks for dinner. If you are planning a family meal there is a great barbecue range, roasts, steak pies, lamb, chicken and venison. The eggs are locally sourced.
Barnetts Bakers
This is an award winning family business which has been baking fresh bread, oatcakes, scones and tasty treats in Anstruther since 1947. The product range uses many locally sourced ingredients and includes the very popular artisan breads.
However if you have a sweet tooth I would recommend the Fudge Doughnuts but you have to be quick as they sell out fast every day.
Fabrik
This is a shop you tend only to find in a large town or city, so we are very fortunate to have such a choice in Crail. This shop has started to sell more unique pottery made by Vanessa Bullick at her workshop in Cellardyke. Products such as stoneware, tableware, vases, jewellery, oilskin swim bags. oilskin bucket bags. For more details click this link
Fabrik has recently swapped with the chemist shop still in the High Street.
Self Catering – Greens in Crail High Street
This is not just a greengrocer as the name might suggest. The fruit and vegetables are as good if not better than you will find in the supermarket with local strawberries and raspberries for sale over the summer months. The shop has recently been refurbished and in addition has a selection of fine wines, craft beers, fish, preserves and local Anster Cheese. Recent additions include fresh Crail Crab from the harbour, Stornoway Black Pudding, locally produced Gin and Crail Ale. But don’t take our word for it check them out on Facebook.
Crail Pharmacy
We find most of our guests bring enough toiletries to last them for the duration of the holiday however there may be things you forget or need extra especially if you have young children. Professional assistance is on hand from the pharmacist for medicines, prescriptions or minor ailments.
The Beehive
The Beehive is under new management and is now a coffee shop serving coffee, delicious cakes, Jannettas Ice Cream creative goods, books, artwork and crafts.
Shells
Gifts, cards, postcards, fine soaps.
Crail Gallery
Crail Gallery is well worth a visit if you are looking for a unique picture or print of the local area produced by Crail’s own local artists. You can also order online by mail order. To find out more click on this link
Crail Pottery
Crail Pottery is a family run business. set around a beautiful courtyard in Nethergate, the heart of Crail producing a range of stoneware and hand painted earthenware. Every piece hand thrown on the potter’s wheel, decorated, glazed and fired on site. For details click on this link
Self Catering Convenience Stores
Crail Co-op is a small supermarket which sells everyday essentials such as milk, rolls, bread, soft drinks, ready meals, cooked meats, wines, beers, plus newspapers and magazines. The Co-op is open from 7.00am until 10.00pm. The bakery is a particular favourite with our guests.
The Crab Shack at Crail Harbour
One of the highlights of our stay in Crail was a trip to the harbour where we bought fresh dressed crab or cooked lobster. Sadly the Crab Shack has now closed and Reilly Shellfish have moved to a shop in Shore Street Anstruther.
Crail Fish & Chip Shop
Finally if you don’t want to cook then why not try our excellent Fish & Chip Shop located in Crail High Street and a short walk from Sandcastle Cottage. Well you can’t come to Crail and not eat Fish & Chips at least once on your holiday! During the summer months waiting times could be up to 20 minutes.
Self Catering out-with Crail
For details on all the local farm shops click on the link and read our blog entitled Farm Shops near Crail
As one of our guests remarked “Everything is on your doorstep and you don’t have to get in the car”
Self Catering – More tips and suggestions
The East Neuk is famous for its fishing industry and there are some excellent places in the area you can buy different types of fish. Crabs and lobsters are caught locally and you can buy locally caught crab at Greens in the High Street (when available).
The best place to go to buy fish is the industrial estate just off the main A917 at St Monans. G J Wilson and David Lowrie have excellent fish counters. The East Neuk Kilnhouse do an excellent range of smoked fish. You may remember they featured on the Hairy Bikers trip to the East Neuk. For more pictures click the links.
Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail
If you would like to find out more about staying at Sandcastle Cottage then click this link. Alternatively if you wish to check prices and availability then click th,e book now button below.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sandcastle Cottage
Blog updated September 2024