The Old Coach House is a B-listed historic building within the Anstruther Conservation Area; it began life more than 350 years ago as a maltings, and for a short spell (75 years or so) was the coach house for Johnston Lodge (National Trust mansion, just up the brae); in the '70s it was divided and tastefully converted into two delightful cottages, one of which is the "Old Coach House South". The external appearance has been faithfully preserved, including stone roof-finials and 2 "bullseye" windows. With its walled and cobbled courtyard to the front, and a walled garden to the rear, both extremely safe for young children, the house is secluded and quiet but all amenities are within a short walk.
Anstruther is a former fishing port of much character located 10 miles south of St Andrews. It was the birthplace of Dr Thomas Chalmers, the first Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland (the "Wee Frees"); Robert Louis Stevenson lived in the town as a child for a time (1868) while his father was overseeing work on the new outer wall of the harbour, which he had designed.
Anstruther is set in open country, and many of Fife's 43 golf courses are not far away; Anstruther's own 9 hole links course (15 minutes walk) has some interesting greens sandwiched between rocky foreshores and gorse-clad slopes. There are at least 3 first class restaurants in the area (one of them 50 metres away), and two pubs (5 minutes and 10 minutes walk respectively) serving exceptionally good food. The local fish is usually excellent, and there is a Co-op supermarket within 10 minutes walk of the house. The harbour, with shops, several other pubs, public library and the Scottish Fisheries Museum, is 100 metres from the gate; fishing trips, and excursions to the Isle of May, leave from the quayside right next to Anstruther Lifeboat Station, which can usually be visited at week-ends in Summer (barring emergencies).
The kitchen and the sitting room are open-plan but separated by the stairs, which are not steep but are open on one side (the kitchen side); there is a paved terrace facing west, with steps leading down to the walled garden.
Heating is by electric night-store and convector heaters (£10 of electricity INCLUDED). Bed linen and towels are available for hire. We regret pets are not accepted, and smoking is not allowed within the house.
