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Location:

Sauchope Links is located just outside Crail in the eastern lowlands of Scotland. Situated directly on the Fife Coastal Path a stay here makes getting out on foot very easy as it’s only a 15 minute walk into Crail along the waters edge.

Arrival and Check-in:

Sauchope Links is accessed via a country lane on the edge of the village and is clearly signposted. On reaching the holiday park we proceeded through the entrance gate and followed the track along to the reception which is located within the site office. There was ample parking to one side of the building for us to stop briefly and check-in.

We had arrived around 40 minutes before the official check-in time and wondered if we might need to wait until our lodge was available but were pleasantly surprised to find the accommodation ready for us.

We were warmly welcomed by the on-site manager Carol who handed us a folder with information about the park and its facilities. Included was a useful map indicating the exact location of our lodge. Ocean View was to be our home for the next four nights and as it was located at the far end of the park it gave us an opportunity to view the different styles of accommodation on offer as we drove along. The park is long and thin, designed in such a way that all accommodation benefits from splendid sea views.

Our Signature Lodge

We had been booked into one of Sauchope Links two bedroom Signature Lodges which are the newest on site and only around a year old. Each lodge has its own parking area and after reversing onto the drive we were excited to take a look around before bringing our luggage indoors.

The signature lodges are spacious with an interior space of 40ft x 20ft. The entrance door is accessed up a few wooden steps leading into a hallway with storage cupboards, coat hooks and a built-in seat that proved useful for sitting down on when putting our shoes and hiking boots on. Concealed in a cupboard was a washing machine which would be very handy for guests booking longer stays.

Leading from the hallway was an open plan living / dining area incorporating a fully equipped kitchen. The living area worked particularly well with its two large upholstered sofas, a central coffee table and large screen television. The entire living space was flooded with natural light as there were large windows to three sides.

The dining area boasted a large table with corner seating upholstered in the same stylish grey fabric as the sofas, giving the whole space a cohesive feel. The kitchen came fully equipped with an oven, hob, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, toaster, coffee maker and kettle. The cupboards were well stocked with high quality crockery, pots, pans and cutlery. The only thing missing seemed to be a small mixing bowl for whisking up our morning scrambled eggs, however it wasn’t too much of a problem as I was able to use one of the cereal bowls instead.

Also provided were tea towels, dishcloths and bin sacks alongside a starter pack of dishwasher tablets and washing up liquid. Everything was in pristine condition and spotlessly clean and it was actually quite pleasurable preparing dinner whilst gazing out to sea.

Moving into the bedrooms, the main one had a standard private en-suite, while the second bedroom also had its own en-suite with an additional door from the hallway making it more flexible and accessible. One bathroom came with a walk-in shower cubicle and the other with a bath with shower over. With heated towel rails, constant hot water and good pressure from the shower head, it was comparable to staying in a hotel.

The bedrooms could be configured as either two doubles or a double and a twin. The bed linen was of a good quality and with bathrobes, towels, a hairdryer and fragrant toiletries there was no need to bring these items from home.

The balcony could be accessed from either the front door or patio doors in the dining area. It came furnished with a wooden table and four chairs and naturally became a favourite place for our morning cups of coffee. As we were out a lot we only managed to eat lunch out on the terrace one day. Even in April it was a real sun trap making it ideal for relaxing and breathing in the fresh sea air.

Located in a secluded position to one side of the entrance was our very own hot tub. As this was electronically operated there was no setting up required and all we had to do was lift the lid and climb in. After a full day of sightseeing, sinking into the warm bubbles of the hot tub whilst sipping a chilled glass of Prosecco was blissful.

On-site Facilities

On-site facilities are kept fairly simple but provide everything needed for a tranquil stay. There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool which operates seasonally and also a small games room, ideal to keep the family entertained on rainy days.

The office contains a compact but well-stocked shop with everyday essentials along with wine, beer and soft drinks, which is convenient for settling in without needing to head out to the supermarket straightaway. In the reception area there’s also a small book library where guests can borrow and swap books, which suits the slower, more relaxed pace of the site.

The lodges are pet friendly and being located along the coastal path, it’s the perfect location for a dog walk. Wi-Fi is chargeable but at a very modest fee of just £2 per day for up to five devices. It was easy to connect to and provided us with a fast, reliable service.

Out and About

Crail

I recommend walking directly from the Sauchope Links Park along the Fife Coastal Path into Crail as it takes only 15 minutes. It’s an easy, scenic route that follows the coastline the entire way. The walk brings you into Crail’s small, working harbour which is charming and lovely for a wander.

You can also walk in the opposite direction along the coast where the path opens out into heathland with wide sea views and far fewer people, offering a more open and exposed coastal experience. We ventured out in both directions, enjoying these walks.

A Day in Anstruther

A day in Anstruther works well as a relaxed coastal outing with a good mix of history, wildlife and food, and it fits easily into a stay at Sauchope Links.

Start at the Scottish Fisheries Museum, which offers an insight into East Neuk’s fishing heritage. The museum is much larger than it first appears as it spans several connected buildings with galleries filled with old wooden fishing boats and a re-created fisherfolk’s cottage. There’s also hands-on activities including a lesson on rope tying techniques. I would highly recommend adding this museum to your day out in Anstruther. Scottish Fisheries Museum

Afterwards, take a boat trip with Anstruther Pleasure Cruises out to the Isle of May. This is one of the more memorable experiences in the area, especially during puffin season. It takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the Isle of May and dependent on tide times visitors will have between 2-3 hours time on shore to explore.

The focus is seabirds, but we also got to see seals and dramatic coastal scenery along the way, with the island itself feeling quite remote as you approach it from the water. Anstruther Pleasure Cruises

Back in Anstruther, finishing the day at the Anstruther Fish Bar is almost part of the routine as nearly everyone from the boat trip heads there. It’s busy for a reason, as it serves award winning fish and chips which taste divine. Anstruther Fish Bar.

St Andrews

A visit to St Andrews is yet another reason for booking a stay along the Fife coast. This beautiful university town is only a short drive from Crail but I recommend arriving early as the car parks fill up very quickly and it can be difficult to find a parking space after 10.00 a.m. An alternative option is to take the bus from Crail as there is a frequent service into St. Andrews.

Start off along The Scores (seaside promenade) and explore the ruins of both St Andrews Cathedral and St Andrews Castle which provide a strong sense of the town’s medieval importance. The cathedral ruins are particularly striking in scale, while the castle adds a more dramatic coastal edge.

Golf is central to St Andrews, and watching play on the Old Course is part of the atmosphere whether you’re a golfer or not. Nearby, the World Golf Museum adds context to why the town is so significant in the history of the sport. World Golf Museum

The town centre itself is worth exploring with independent shops and familiar names sitting side by side.  Toppings Bookstore is a must, especially if you enjoy bookshops that encourage lingering rather than quick browsing. The university also adds to the character of the town, particularly around St Salvator’s Quad, where the historic architecture and student presence give a constant sense of activity and tradition.

Whisky Experience and Local Walks

Scotland is synonymous with both golf and whisky and going on a distillery tour is another favourite thing to do. We joined the whisky experience tour at the nearby Kingsbarns Distillery. It’s only a 10 minute drive from the accommodation and with tours at 4.00 p.m. most days it fits easily into a holiday itinerary. The tour offers a clear sense of modern whisky production in a restored historic setting, and the tutored tasting afterwards rounds off the visit perfectly. Drivers don’t miss out as they get to take home the same quantity in sample sized bottles to drink at their leisure. Kingsbarns Distillery

Overall

Our four night stay in a two-bedroom Signature Lodge at Sauchope Links Park was a very relaxing experience. The lodge being comfortable, and very well maintained. With our private hot tub and the coastal location, Sauchope Links is an ideal base for exploring this beautiful part of Fife.

We were guests of Largo Leisure, and as always, all views and opinions are entirely my own.

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