If you’re looking for a summer day out, this Scottish harbour town is a historic delight, and has plenty to do from exploring caves to walks along stunning coastal paths
With the summer holidays soon coming to an end, now might be the time to go out and explore somewhere new, and this harbour town could be the perfect day out.
A recent Telegraph article named Britain’s 10 loveliest harbour towns, and coming in as the best for ‘cuteness’ was a Scottish destination that beat some of its better known rivals.
It said: “With its pastel-painted cottages and boat-bobbed harbour, comely wee Pittenweem looks made for tourists. But actually, those lobster pots stacked along the quay are still very much in use. This is an authentic working fishing village, where seafaring is still central to daily life.”
Start your day with a stroll along Pittenweem’s harbour, where you’ll still see the small boats coming in with a fresh catch. There are fish and chip shops just a few steps from the waterfront, so you can try locally caught haddock or cod, or even shellfish such as lobster, crab, or langoustines. Chip Ahoy at the Larachmhor often comes highly-recommended, and is regularly a finalist in the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards.
A walk to Pittenweem Lighthouse is also a great way to see the waterfront, giving you views of the cute cottages and stone buildings along the harbour. It also has one of Scotland’s most unique outdoor swimming spots, a tidal pool that fills with sea water twice a day, and has been designed to be sheltered from the tides making it a calm spot to swim or splash around.
Head inland, and you can visit St Fillan’s Cave, a natural underground cavern said to be the home of a saint in the 7th-century. The cave has become a minor pilgrimage spot, and you can pick up the key at the Pittenweem Chocolate Company before letting yourself round for a tour.
Once you drop off your key, take a seat at the Cocoa Tree Café, which serves decadent hot chocolate and sweet treats, or pick up some artisan chocolates to take home with you as a souvenir.
Wander around the cobblestone streets and you’ll find a variety of quaint independent shops, local food stores, and artisanal shops. Pittenweem has arty vibes, and you’ll find lots of little galleries displaying works from artists who have been inspired by the rugged beauty of the area. Its yearly art festival brings both local and international artists to the area.
Another Scottish harbour town made the list at number nine. Tobermory on the Isle of Mull was named best for colour, thanks to its waterfront houses painted in vivid tones. Those with children of a certain age will recognise the town from the CBeebies series Balamory, and many of the houses from the original series can still be spotted.
But there’s more to the town than just kids’ stories. Tobermory is still an active fishing harbour, and also has a traditional distillery and visitors’ centre where you can learn how the island’s whisky is made.
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