Crail

The oldest and most aristocratic of East Neuk burghs, pretty Crail is where many fish merchants retired and built cottages. The town landmark is a picturesque Dutch-influenced town house, or tolbooth, which contains the oldest bell in Fife, cast in Holland in 1520. Crail is an artists' colony but remains a working harbor; take time to walk the streets and beaches and to sample fish by the harbor. As you head into East Neuk from this tiny port, look about for market crosses, merchant houses, and little doocots (dovecotes, where pigeons were kept)—typical picturesque touches of this region.