East Neuk

The East Neuk or East Neuk of Fife is an area of the coast of Fife, Scotland, which is geographically ill-defined but nonetheless stirs local passions.

"Neuk" is the Scots word for nook or corner, and the East Neuk is generally accepted to comprise the fishing villages of the most northerly part of the Firth of Forth and the land and villages slightly inland therefrom. In effect, this means that part to the south of a line drawn parallel to the coast from just north of Earlsferry to just north of Crail. As such it would include Elie and Earlsferry, Colinsburgh, St Monans, Pittenweem, Arncroach, Carnbee, Anstruther, Cellardyke, Kilrenny, Crail and Kingsbarns. At Balcarres, Colinsburgh, is Balcarres House, home of the Earls of Crawford and Balcarres (family name Lindsay). The boundaries set by local government are the old wards. This means according to this method that Lundin Links to Crail are part of the East Neuk.

However, there is a cachet to being part of the East Neuk, and other villages have laid claim to the address, particularly Lundin Links, Upper Largo and Lower Largo. Some disquiet was evident in the fishing villages when a sign was erected outside Lundin Links proclaiming that the passer was entering the East Neuk of Fife.

External links

• Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland, John Keay
• The East Neuk of Fife: Its History and Antiquities, Geology, Botany, and Natural History in General, Rev. Walter Wood, A.M.
• Rick Steves' Great Britain 2008, Rick Steves
• Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Men of Fife, M. F. Conolly 1866