Tour Elie on a relaxing small
group vacation of my homeland

" I look forward to showing you my historic
Scotland, as only a native Scot can. "

The two villages of Elie and Earlsferry are linked around a natural harbor and are now popular seaside resorts with many facilities to offer both locals and visitors. Gone are the days of the 1800's when the harbor was a bustling port.

Today Elie and Earlsferry have a more relaxed atmosphere where people enjoy windsurfing, sailing and golf. The most famous Elie golfer is James Braid who won the Open Golf Championship five times between 1901 and 1910.

Earlsferry is a very old village where the ferries used to arrive from North Berwick and other ports on the Lothian coast. The village, however, owes its name to Macduff, the Thane of the Earl of Fife in the 11th century. When Macduff was escaping from the clutches of Macbeth he took refuge in a cave near Kincraig Point until it was safe for a local fisherman to ferry him over the Firth of Forth to Dunbar. Thereafter the village was known as Earlsferry.

Beyond Earlsferry lie the ruins of an old chapel which provided shelter for pilgrims heading to and from the town of St Andrews. There is also an old road leading from Earlsferry which crosses the golf course and was known as " Cadgers Road." This led to the Royal Palace at Falkland and was the route that carriers or " cadgers " took to deliver fresh fish to the Royal Palace. There are many historic building throughout the villages. One of the oldest, known as the " Castle " stands in South Street and dates back to about 1500. Also in South Street is Gillespie House which was rebuilt in 1870 but kept the " Muckle Yett " doorway of an earlier house on this site. Nearby, and in the High Street is the old Parish Church built in 1639 by Sir William Scott of Ardross. Its Tower, with its interesting octagonal shape, was added later in 1726. Elie house built in 1697 was cursed by a gypsy. The curse stated that only six generations of the residents, the family of Anstruther's, would live in the house, and this is exactly what happened.

For the Independent Traveler to Scotland we also offer help with Airfares, Hotel Packages, and Rail Travel.

Leave The Herd Behind With A Small Group Tour of Scotland

All my small group tours of Scotland, which often include my native Fife, are paced for discovery and understanding, not just notching sites. Each small group is limited to an absolute maximum of 18 people, with a typical small group being just 6 or 8 people. I prefer to guide these small groups through Scotland in a relaxing manner, staying at two or three base locations from which we can visit places of interest - and not have to move luggage every day.

Tour Scotland guests tend to be travelers rather than tourists, enjoying seeing behind the tourist facade, while visiting with " locals " and seeing sites not normally seen by the regular tourist. Many group members visit Scotland to trace their Scottish ancestry; others to golf or fish; most come to simply enjoy the beautiful scenery, historic buildings and gardens, and most of all, to meet and enjoy the people of Scotland. My Tours of Scotland can be best described as being " couthy. " It's a Scottish word meaning " gentle."

What goes into an unforgettable Tour of Scotland ? Lots of great scenery, for sure. Perhaps also a smidgen of something you can't quite put your finger on, but nevertheless creates a lasting impression. Maybe a piper playing in the pub; perhaps a conversation with a local; a shepherd working his dogs; fishermen landing their catch. All my previous group members have their own lists of defining moments. I wonder what yours will be ?

Any time from April through October is a really good time to Tour Scotland. Spring and early summer are my particular favorites. Forests, fields and glens offer a wonderful array of colors during that time of year, while the long Northern days of sunshine let you get out and enjoy it. There is also no shortage of things to do as all the best attractions are already open, and are far more relaxed away from the mid-summer crowds, whilst in the cities the Arts season is in full swing. But whenever you visit, you're always guaranteed a warm welcome in my Scotland. June through August is the best time to attend Highland Games on a Tour Scotland tour.

Here's a built by a couple of Tour Scotland members from last year. I think you will find the site interesting and informative. A Journey Through Scotland. For my latest Tours of Scotland photos click: May 2003 or Loch Ness.

Tour Scotland group members will have the opportunity to shop, play golf, visit local pubs and simply go for walks and enjoy local sights and sounds. Let me know your reasons for wishing to Tour Scotland, and see if I can best fit your needs. If you would like to visit independently, or as part of a small group tour, or on another Tour of Scotland, please e-mail me:

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Sandy Stevenson All rights reserved 2000.