Travellers who set up an illegal encampment at Crail have been ordered to move on.
An eviction notice was served on the group just days after they arrived at Kilminning, which was ruled out as a seasonal camp for Gypsy Travellers more than three years ago.
Fife Council sought a court order on Wednesday, which was served later the same day.
The order requires the Travellers to leave by Friday.
Failure to comply will, the local authority insisted, result in further intervention to ensure those camping at the picturesque picnic spot move on.
A local resident reported that a van and caravan had appeared on Monday, followed shortly after by several others.
East Neuk and Landward councillor Bill Porteous said: “I am pleased to see that due to the vigilance of a local resident this has been urgently brought to the attention of Fife Council and Police Scotland.
“I look forward to the matter being resolved urgently.”
Kilminning, near Crail Airfield, has regularly been used by Travellers in the past, particularly during the summer months, while they farm whelks from the coastline.
However, villagers had complained about disruption and alleged that Travellers had damaged property, intimidated other visitors, including bird watchers and dog walkers, and left behind rubbish and debris.
A proposal to designate Kilminning as a seasonal site for travellers was ditched in 2014 due to a lack of support from local residents who were keen to maintain the area for recreation.
The land where the caravans were pitched this week is usually sealed off with a padlocked goalpost barrier, however it was claimed the padlock was missing.
Fife Council service manager Greig Henderson said: “We’ve taken court action to remove Travellers from the unauthorised encampment at Kilminning in Crail.
“An eviction notice was served yesterday (February 21) giving 48 hours’ notice for the encampment to be vacated.
“This will be enforced if necessary.”
