It is one of Fife’s most picturesque fishing villages and home to a former first minister of Scotland. Yet, according to a new tourist guide, the east neuk community of Cellardyke does not exist.
The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust has found itself in hot water after omitting the village from its latest publication, The Fife Coastal Path.
Promoting 22 tourist destinations on the 117-mile coastal walk between Kincardine and Newburgh, the booklet is billed as ”your essential guide.”
It features a number of popular spots including Shell Bay, Elie, St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Boarhills.
Neighbouring Anstruther, famous for its fish and chip shops, is also mentioned, as is Crail to the east of Cellardyke.
Businesses are, however, bemused as to why Cellardyke is not included despite boasting a number of eateries and other tourist attractions.
Trevor Gow, who runs the Haven restaurant overlooking the harbour, said it was bizzare.
”They had the cheek to hand them in here and my wife pointed out we had been omitted,” he said.
”It’s arguably one of the most picturesque fishing villages in the East Neuk. It’s beautiful, with views of the Isle of May and the harbour.”
He added: ”The guide lists the businesses in each village but we’re an official Welcome Port and we’re not even mentioned.
”In fact, Cellardyke isn’t even on the map. It’s very, very bizarre, especially when they’ve included Kingsbarns and Boarhills which aren’t even really on the coastal path.”
Crispin Heath, who runs family centre East Neuk Outdoors, said he was amazed at the omission.
”We are immediately adjacent to the path and have lots of walkers going past,” he said. ”We do talk to them but it would be helpful if we were included in the guide.’Anstruther thinks it’s the bee’s knees”’Anstruther thinks it’s the bee’s knees and thinks we don’t exist along here. We’ve attended meetings with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust so I don’t know why we’ve been missed out.”
Cellardyke, home of former MP and first minister Henry McLeish, was originally known as Lower Kilrenny and in the 19th century was a vibrant port that exported fish around the globe.
It has now become popular with artists, writers and musicians, who take inspiration from the beautiful surroundings.
The guide’s authors have acknowledged Cellardyke’s omission was a problem.
Countryside trust business manager Simon Phillips said: ”We made every effort to make our business listings booklet as comprehensive as possible.
”However, we accept that Cellardyke was not included and, when local concerns were first raised about this issue, we resolved to rectify the problem as best we could.
”Cellardyke is clearly marked on our recently updated Fife Coastal Path map and will be featured in our new book, the Fife Coastal Path Official Guide, which will be widely available soon.
”Fife Coast and Countryside Trust welcomes all feedback on its ongoing efforts to promote Scotland’s longest and most popular coastal walk.”