Thistle Holiday to Anstruther, August 2010

by Simon Williams, Thursday, 26th August 2010

It was a cold wet morning on Sunday, 8th August when we all met by the bus shelter on Wigan Lane, near Trinity URC where the Thistle juniors practice. We smiled and said hello to the familiar faces huddled under the shelter with their suit cases. But the rain didn't dampen the air of anticipation and excitement for the holiday to come.

The coach arrived and Adrian, our driver, loaded the suit cases while we all climbed aboard. We set off at 7:45am, and after a brief detour to pickup the final member of the group in Preston, we were on our way to Scotland.

We called in to Tebay Services , always a favourite, for a late breakfast and to stretch our legs, and then onwards up the M6. For lunch, we called into Moffat Woollen Mill were we also had time to wander around the shops.

Soon, we headed off towards Edinburgh, and on to the first arranged visit of the holiday, the beautiful Rosslyn Chapel , made famous in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. There we were told the story of the chapel and the ongoing restoration efforts, including the huge metal canopy that had covered the chapel for 13 years so the stonework could dry out. Later in the week, the chapel was in the TV news as the last remnants of the canopy were finally removed.

We carried on, across the Forth Road Bridge and on to Anstruther, Fife and our hotel for the week, the Craws Nest with plenty of time to get ready for dinner at 7:00pm. We were not disappointed, the rooms were lovely and many had a view of the sea and Anstruther harbour. Dinner was delicious, a gourmet selection served by cheerful waitresses. We were going to enjoy the holiday!

Later, it was a pleasant, bright evening and many of the party ventured out for a walk; variously heading straight for the coast, Anstruther harbour or taking the coastal route to Pittenweem, a couple of miles away. Finally, we had a couple of drinks in the hotel before heading off for bed.

Day 2 (Monday). We awoke the next morning and enjoyed a full breakfast, before departing at 9am for Dundee via St Andrews and the Tay Road Bridge. We visited the RSS Discovery , the ship that took Captain Scott and his men to the Antarctic and heard their story in the new visitors centre. Afterwards, we headed over to the Verdant Works , where we were served a light lunch of soup and sandwiches before being led on a guided tour of the old Jute factory. Here we learned of Jute production in India and Dundee and how it was closely intertwined with the lives of the people of Dundee, ship building and the RSS Discovery. We were also reminded that Dundee is the home of The Broons and Oor Wullie!

Day 3 (Tuesday). After another lovely breakfast we set off for St Andrews where we spent the morning enjoying the ruins of the St Andrews Cathedral, the Lammas Fair with its open markets and the Golf course, of course. Everyone managed to find time for lunch and some of the group met up with a Thistle couple who were attending a dance summer school at St Andrews University .

In the afternoon, we visited The Secret Bunker - an amazing place with an amazing story behind it ("...deceptively spacious farmhouse with a rather large cellar..."). Later, we went to Crail to visit Crail Pottery where we watched one of the potters at work. Most of the party independently found their way to the Crail Harbour Gallery and Tearoom , near the beautiful harbour to enjoy delicious cakes with a stunning view out to sea and the Isle of May.

Day 4 (Wednesday). Today we went to Glamis Castle , in Angus - a longer drive, but well worth the effort. We spent an hour or so on a tour around the building with an enthusiastic guide who informed us in several rooms, "there's a Ghost story..." Many of the party enjoyed lunch in the restaurant, and went out to wander around the Italian Garden, castle grounds and not forgetting the Shop. Rain did its best, but failed to spoil the day and, as we set off back to the Hotel, some were even enjoying an ice cream.

On the way back, we called into Pittenweem and looked around some of the venues for the Arts Festival . There was also a picturesque harbour where we watched the comings and goings of the fishing boats.

Again, in the evening, after a pleasant walk some of the group met in the hotel bar for a chat and a drink, and I enjoyed a (not so wee) dram of Bunnahabhain .

Day 5 (Thursday). We had all been given a "Day Off" from organised visits, and many of the group spent the morning having a good look around Anstruther including the harbour and shops. One or two spent a fascinating hour or so in the Scottish Fisheries Museum which, as promised, was significantly larger on the inside than it appeared. The Famous Anstruther Fish Bar proved too hard to resist at lunch time and, I would say, well deserved the accolades.

In the afternoon, most of the group visited Kellie Castle & Garden as it was not too far from Anstruther. There, after wandering through the house we sampled cakes and afternoon tea in the tearoom before strolling through the walled garden and fields. As well as a permanent art exhibition, a local artist was exhibiting his work - the most remote venue of the Pittenweem Arts Festival.

The day finished with another delicious dinner and, after packing our cases for the early departure in the morning, we had a drink and a chat in the hotel bar.

Day 6 (Friday). Our last day began with another fine breakfast and, with the cases all loaded, we set off home. But the entertainment wasn't quite over yet and we stopped on the way to visit Abbotsford House, the beautifully maintained home of Sir Walter Scott. An entertaining guide led us around the house and gave us a real sense of the man and his life. A tasty lunch was provided, leaving us a little time to peruse the gardens.

And with that we returned home, calling only briefly at Westmoreland services.

Braw!

We would all like to thank Margaret, Kathleen, Gwyneth, Bernie and Memory Lane for arranging the holiday and itinerary.