Cupar
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Cupar
The main centre in the Howe of Fife is Cupar, a thriving market town that was once the administrative centre of Fife. There's an air of relative well-being about the place, verified by an array of shops catering to the retail connoisseur. In the heart of the burgh is the Castlehill which played a notable part in Cupar's history. There, the Thanes of Fife had their principle residence in ancient times and later it became the home of Sir David Lindsay. Sir David was a dramatist with a devastating wit and his play Ane Pleasant Satyre of the Three Estaits earned him considerable fame. It was by far the most popular play of its day and is still popular at the Edinburgh Festival.
Phone code: +44 (0)1334 Population: 7,610
Getting There
Cupar is on the Edinburgh to Dundee rail line and trains depart in each direction roughly every hour, or every 2 hrs on Sun. Buses from Dundee to Kirkcaldy pass through the town, and there are direct buses to St Andrews every 20 mins.
Sights
Hill of Tarvit
One of the main reasons for stopping off at Cupar is to visit Hill of Tarvit, two miles south of the town and one mile from Ceres. This Edwardian mansion house was beautifully remodelled by Robert Lorimer in 1906. Among the fine collection of treasures inside are Flemish tapestries, Chinese porcelain, Dutch paintings and 18th-century French, Chippendale and vernacular furniture. The gardens are laid out in the French style, with box hedges and yew trees, and there is a woodland walk to a hilltop toposcope with a lovely view of the house. The estate includes the fine Scotstarvit Tower, three quarters of a mile west of the mansion house, dating from 1579. House and garden open Easter & May-Sep, weekends in Oct. Admission to tower free; key held at house.
Scottish Deer Centre
The Scottish Deer Centre, three miles west of Cupar on the A91, is both enjoyable and educational. Here you can see many species of deer at close hand, and even feed, stroke or photograph them during a ranger-led tour. There are indoor and outdoor adventure parks for the kids as well as a restaurant and winery. Easter-31 Oct daily 1000-1800; Nov-Easter daily 1000-1700. Tel. 01337-810391.
Fife Animal Park
Those who prefer more exotic animals can head a few miles further west on the A91 to the Fife Animal Park at Collesie, where you can see ostriches, wallabies, emus, bison and llamas as well as more familiar breeds. Apr-May daily 1000-1800; Jun-Aug till 1900; Sep-Mar till 1600. Tel. 01337-831830.
Sleeping & Eating
Fernie Castle Hotel, near Letham, 5 miles north of Cupar, Tel. 01337-810381, Fax. 810422, A beautifully restored 14th-century castle set in 17 acres of grounds with its own loch, 15 comfortable en suite rooms, lovely dining room and bar. Eden House Hotel, 2 Pitscottie Rd, Tel. 652510, Fax. 652277. Elegant Victorian town house with 11 en suite rooms and excellent restaurant, also arranges golfing packages.
Lordscairnie, Moonzie near Cupar, Tel/Fax. 01337-870252. Superior B&B with 4 en suite rooms, dinner available on request. Rathcluan Country House & Restaurant, Carslogie Rd, Tel/Fax. 650000. 2 en suite rooms and 3 with shared bathroom, parking and wheelchair access.
In the town centre there are bakeries, fish and chip shops and the obligatory Indian and Chinese restaurants and takeaways. The best place to eat in town is undoubtedly Ostler's Close, 25 Bonnygate, Tel. 655574, which does a 3-course lunch for under £20.
The best place in the area is the renowned Peat Inn, 3 miles southeast of Ceres on the B940, Tel. 840206, and well worth a detour, for here, in the 18th-century building, you can sample some of the finest food in the entire country. The proprietors have a Michelin star to verify this and the French-influenced décor and ambience match the culinary excellence.
Self Catering Cottages in Cupar
- CUPAR - Fife Sleeps 4
Ceres
Once described as the most attractive village in Scotland, Ceres lies three miles south of Cupar. Whether or not you agree with that assertion, the village does present an appealing picture with its pan-tiled cottages surrounding a historic village green. Tradition says that the village and ancient cobbled bridge have been there for more than 650 years, that the men of Ceres marched across the bridge on their way to the battle of Bannockburn and on their return celebrated their victory with games on the village green. The Highland Games are still an annual event, on the last Saturday in June, with the Ceres Derby the highlight of the day.
Sights
Another special feature of Ceres is the Fife Folk Museum, housed in part of the 17th-century Tolbooth Weigh House and two adjoining cottages. The award-winning museum displays crafts and trades, costumes, tools and utensils of a bygone age in rural Fife. Easter and mid-May to Oct daily 1400-1700. Tel 828250.
Also worth visiting is the Griselda Hill Pottery, at Kirkbrae. Here you can see a revival of the production of Wemyss Ware, the best-known Scottish pottery. Tel. 828273. Summer and Christmas Mon-Fri 0900-1630, Sat and Sun 1400-1700, Mon-Fri 0900-1630 in winter. Free. A good place for a bar lunch is Meldrums Hotel, on Main Street, Tel. 828286.