One of the sweetest things about the Kingdom of Fife is the sense of community that
spreads throughout summer in the form of its festivals. Towns and villages of all sizes
club together to entertain visitors and celebrate tradition through music, theatre, food,
sport and traditional highland dance. This guide is an insight into some of the best
Scottish summer (and beyond) festivals in the region over the water from the capital,
Edinburgh.

Over one weekend in June, this food festival offers food stalls, educational talks, street
music and chef shows in the town of Crail.  Venues include Crail Harbour,
BeechwalkPark and Crail Community Centre.  Included in the itinerary is ‘Langoustine in
a Box’ which content creators from the Feast of Fife press trip say is making waves so
that is definitely one set to catch over this two-day culinary event.

No need to worry about the typical July Scottish summer weather at this Fife festival,
artists perform under a roof during this fully seated gig. Expect a show by Midge Ure
and opera from Oliver-award winning, OperaUpClose in 2018.

Aberdour Festival

Aberdour Festival runs for a mammoth 10 days and is jam-packed with art exhibitions,
music, comedy, fossil walks and scarecrow hunting!  The event also includes a variety of
sports coaching and challenges such as bowls, cricket, tea dances, raft racing and the
famous Donkey Brae Run.
Are you the star of the show?  Check out Aberdour does Strictly this summer!  Can
pampered pooch win the pet show?  They’ve really thought of everything in Aberdour.
While you are there, swing out Aberdour Castle which features in the popular TV series
Outlander.  Fans should check out this guide to Outlander tours and locations for more

A couple of weeks ago I found myself exploring an enchanting Kingdom where a Prince met his now Princess before they married and went off to live happily ever after.  It may sound like I had entered the pages of a fairy-tale but such a place actually exists and you too can live the Royal romantic dream on the idyllic east coast of Scotland.  The Kingdom of Fife is where Prince Wills wooed the now Princess Kate while they attended university in St Andrews and the rest is of course history...

Along with my own Prince Charming I spent the weekend testing the region's romantic credentials on the latest Scotlanders campaign and found that reality is even better than fairy-tale fantasy.  Being accompanied by your own Prince or Princess is optional, after all it is also the place that you could meet that special someone as Kate and Wills can testify!  Whether you are a coupledom or still waiting to be swept off your feet, here are my 10 romantic reasons why you too should visit Scotland's own fairy-tale Kingdom...

Our fairy-tale weekend began as all good fairy-tales do in a secluded hideaway in the woods.  However, this was no ordinary woodland retreat but a rather pretty snowdrop tent on Cambo Estate near St Andrews with it’s own double bed and just the right dose of rustic charm.
This is true glamorous camping with cosy furnishings, cooking facilities and access to a modern toilet block with your own private shower, luxury indeed!  In the evening the leafy pathways glow with fairy-lights and your own fire pit provides enough heat to keep warm while you sit and savor an evening under the stars.
Cambo Estate is perfect for a romantic stroll with it's walled gardens, nature trails and pathway to the beach, all on your little canvas doorstep.

A surprise box of welcome goodies and local produce from the lovely folk at Holiday Essentials ensured that we wouldn't go hungry during our stay; the handmade ceramic heart and love themed candle were thoughtful little romantic inclusions.  They must be mind readers as our generous bounty included a bottle of one of my favourite Cairn o’Mohr wines and the yummy selection of sweet treats and savoury staples were ideal choices to keep our hunger pangs at bay.

I don't know about you but I do love a night at the theatre and The Byre Theatre in St Andrews is one of my favourites in Scotland, it has such a nice ambiance and it became my second home when I was blogging for StAnza earlier this year.  On this occasion we enjoyed a pre-theatre buffet dinner and a performance of Shirley Valentine in the perfectly proportioned auditorium.  If you are ever visiting the town I highly recommend checking out their events list as the shows are great value and the atmosphere is intimate and relaxed.

The following morning I met up with my fellow Scotlanders for an early start at the recently opened Kingsbarns Distillery which is handily placed next door to Cambo Estate.  After a quick catch up over some delicious fresh scones and coffee we were treated to a tour by Douglas Clement, the visionary behind this Fife ‘Dream to Dram’ project.
Whisky is definitely an ingredient I would normally include in any romantic celebration, however my driving duties for the day meant that I sadly couldn't indulge on this occasion.  Although I reluctantly had to turn down the offer of some free drams, the passionate tour provided by Douglas and the picture postcard setting were still great tasters which have left me with several reasons to return.

Picture postcard is an overused term that I try to avoid but look it up in the dictionary and don't be surprised if an image of the Fife coast pops up!  It really is the definition of scenic with colourful, quaint fishing villages, sparkling blue water, patchwork golden fields, magnificent sandy stretches and dramatic historic architecture.  Undertake a coastal road-trip and you should expect it to take at least twice as long as planned with every twist and turn bringing new photogenic opportunities and the fresh salty tang in the breeze drawing you into the seaside communities in search of the catch of the day.

This year was my first time visiting StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival, in fact it was my first time visiting a poetry event of any type.  I had a fantastic weekend and hopefully I can share some of the tips that I picked up so you can have a fantastic time too.  So here is my First Timers Guide to Visiting StAnza...

Where does StAnza take place?

In the historic and picturesque town of St Andrews which is situated in the region of Fife on the east coast of Scotland.  St Andrews is 'The Home of Golf' and the third-oldest English-speaking university in the world which was founded in 1413.  it is also legend that the bones of St Andrew were brought here, hence the name.

When does it takes place?

The festival takes place in March and has just celebrated it's 18th year.

What does StAnza mean?

Stanza is a poetry term which in this case has been carefully branded with the St and A of St Andrews.  If you look at the festival logo then you will see that the A has also been designed to look like the St Andrews Cross (the flag of Scotland).
As a poetry term www.shmoop.com describes a stanza as 'A division within a poem where a group of lines are formed into a unit. The word “stanza” comes from the Italian word for “room.” Just like a room, a poetic stanza is set apart on a page by four “walls” of blank, white space.'

Why should I visit?

This is the perfect chilled out festival and St Andrews is the perfect Scottish short break destination.  Combine the two and you will have an amazingly relaxed and unique experience.

Who is this festival suitable for?

Families, couples, friends or solo travellers will feel equally at home and welcome with events for all tastes.  Even if you don't have any poetry knowledge you may be surprised at how accessible many of the events are.  If you enjoy live performances such as plays or storytelling then you will most likely enjoy live poetry too.

How do I get there?

Bus - There is a bus station in the town centre and you can catch a Stagecoach bus from Edinburgh or Glasgow, see their website for more details https://www.stagecoachbus.com/

Train - St Andrews doesn't have it's own train station, instead you will have to travel to Leuchars station (6 miles away) and complete your journey by bus or taxi.  Train information can be found on the ScotRail website at http://www.scotrail.co.uk/

Car - St Andrews is easily accessible by car from all the main cities in Scotland.  The St Andrews University website has some suggested driving routes, be warned though if you decide to drive then finding a parking place in the town centre at peak times is not easy (understatement!) and paid parking meters are in operation which have a maximum stay time of 2 hours.  The Visit St Andrews website has information on the best places to park for free and current parking restrictions.

Where should I stay?

St Andrews has accommodation to suit all budgets and there are some fabulous high end hotels if you are looking for some luxury.  I always use TripAdvisor as a great guide for honest hotel reviews and they have a handy list of the best St Andrews Hotels which is worth looking at before you book.

I spent the first weekend in March staying in the beautiful and characterful town of St Andrews on the east coast. I was there to blog about StAnza, Scotland's International Poetry Festival, which takes place each year in this historic Royal Burgh and makes an ideal relaxing weekend break with a difference.
St Andrews is 'The Home of Golf' and the third-oldest English-speaking university in the world which was founded in 1413.  it is also legend that the bones of St Andrew were brought here, hence the name.
It is a small town and it is easy to visit all the main attractions including world class beaches, castle, cathedral, university, golf courses, boutique shops, historic streets and picturesque harbour over a couple of days.  
In between poetry shows I still had plenty of time to explore the sites and take plenty of photographs and decided to share some of my favourites with you, enjoy!

StAnza must be a contender for Scotland's most chilled out festival.  The main hub and gathering place is The Byre Theatre where performers, organisers and audience members can be found mingling casually over coffee or a glass of wine.
As someone attending the festival alone and for the first time I didn't feel in the least bit intimidated, in fact I immediately felt welcome and at home.  Between performances and over dinner I got chatting to people from an interesting variety of backgrounds and they all somehow felt like long lost friends.  Having returned from the festival a few days ago, the feeling of homeliness and friendliness is still my overriding impression of StAnza and my weekend in St Andrews.

It is easy to have pre-conceived ideas about what a poetry festival might consist of or dismiss it as too arty or boring, certainly when I told people what I was going to be doing over the weekend not one of them said 'Wow, that sounds awesome!' (maybe I need to get more cultured friends).  As it turns out a poetry festival is a mixture of music, comedy and storytelling all rolled into one and much more accessible to the masses than you might first think.
My philosophy in life is to approach things with an open mind as the best experiences often come from the most unexpected places and it turns out StAnza is one of those places, as I loved the experience from start to finish and will certainly return for a future visit.  

Aside from the genuine friendly, laid-back atmosphere, it was the poets and their performances that really made this event for me.  I went to 5 very different shows and enjoyed every one of them for different reasons. 
My introduction to the festival saw me casually chilling out with a pie and a pint at one of the excellent Poetry Cafe events, which are ideal for poetry festival newbies like me.  Erin Fornoff, a spoken word poet, had me quickly captivated with her emotional performance and stories of her life growing up in the Appalachian Mountains before a transition across the Atlantic to Dublin and an unfortunate casting couch experience.
By coincidence I ended up sharing my dinner table and conversation with Erin later that evening and it was this kind of informal, accessible atmosphere where everyone ate, drank and chatted together that made StAnza so memorable and unique for me.

I am not a poet, I don't read huge amounts of poetry and I'm not up to date with the latest poets in vogue. Neither do I dislike poetry, there is plenty of poetry that I enjoy and I don't even mind admitting that I admire Eminem as a lyrical genius.
So what does a poetry festival have to offer the likes of me and the plenty of you out there that fall into my camp?  Does a poetry festival have something to offer everyone?  Well in a fortnight's time I will be finding out as I head to StAnza as their blogger in residence.

StAnza is Scotland's International Poetry Festival, which this year will be celebrating it's 18th anniversary in St Andrews.  In my experience the great thing about any festival is there is always something for everyone and as their blogger in residence I will be attending a wide variety of events and reporting back with my 
recommendations to help you plan your own visit depending on your interests.
I will be also be exploring other things to do in St Andrews for those wanting to combine a stay in the area with some festival shows.

StAnza runs from 4th to the 8th of March 2015 and you can find out about the many events and shows by looking up their online program.  You can also follow social media updates (including my own) by searching on #StAnza15.

Have you been to StAnza or are you planning to go?  As always I would love to hear your tips and advice and of course the best places to visit in St Andrews,

The Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon has taken on a whole new lease of popularity and growing international fandom since the TV series began broadcasting this year.
Much of the story takes place in the 18th century Highlands of Scotland and surrounds the adventures and romance of the two main characters, Jamie and Claire.
The filming of the show took place at multiple locations around Scotland with many scenes shot in the historical towns and castles of Fife.  It may not have the mountains of the Highlands or Skye but Fife is one of the most important royal historical regions of Scotland and is still often referred to as the Kingdom of Fife.
From a Pictish Kingdom to Scotland's ancient capital, from the home of golf to the resting place of King Robert the Bruce, this area of the country is steeped in history.  If you add in some colourful fishing villages, the only award-winning blue flag beaches in Scotland, the highest number of national attractions in the country and the fact it has been voted 'No 1 outdoor destination' by Scottish Natural Heritage for seven years in a row and you might wonder why this area is often overlooked in favour of a Highland roadtrip.
If you are a fan of Outlander you now have even more reason to visit (six more in fact) and explore some of the filming locations of the show.

Thanks to a contact from TayScreen I managed to get a list of the Fife locations where the filming of Outlander took place and decided to book myself a few days in the area to explore them all and compile a blog post with the details. My list included the towns of Falkland, Culross and Limekilns, and the castles of Balgonie and Aberdour.  Quite by chance I also found some standing stones nearby Culross which I have included in my guide just as a point of interest and in case anyone fancies testing them out!  So here is my guide to 6 places you must visit in Fife if you are a fan of Outlander.

1, Falkland

Many fans will already be aware that Falkland was used for filming a 1940s Inverness which is quite ironic as many of the houses are preserved from the 17th and 18th century, some even older.  With traditional pubs, shops and 28 listed buildings it is certainly a glimpse of times gone by (if you can block out the cars!).
The town is dominated by Falkland Palace which is well worth visiting so make sure you set aside an extra 1- 2 hours to explore the former country residence of the Stuart monarchs and it's unusual gardens.  The guides in the Palace are very helpful and will provide you with lots of interesting stories about it's original use as a royal getaway to it's restoration and sometimes dark and turbulent past.
Outlander fans can recreate one of the first scenes of the show by standing at the Bruce fountain in the town centre and looking up to the window of Mrs Baird's B&B just as the ghost of Jamie did in the first episode.  Mrs Baird's is in fact The Covenanter Hotel so you can go inside and enjoy a drink if you need a refreshment to quell all the excitement!  Just along from the hotel you will find Fayre Earth which was used as Farrell's in the show, although it does look quite different on the outside in it's 21st century colours.  Campbell's Coffee House in the show was previously a pharmacy. however after filming it has remained a coffee house and is situated just opposite the fountain.
If you are visiting the town make the most of your time here, take a walk around and look out for all the little details on the buildings including marriage lintels, stone carvings and original signs and get a real sense of historical Scotland.
I recommend half a day here if you want to explore the town, palace and enjoy a meal or drink without feeling rushed.

This week I visited the Royal Burgh of Culross which is full of the most characterful streets and cottages.  It is situated in the south west of Fife on the edge of the Firth of Forth and is the most complete example in Scotland today of a Burgh of the 17th and 18th centuries.
I visited as part of my research for a blog on locations in Fife where the Outlander TV show was filmed and it easy to see why this quaint little town was chosen as a location from the 1740s.
I ended up taking so many photographs of the buildings, windows, doorways, plaques and scenery that I have decided to dedicate a photo blog to this scenic part of Scotland.
It is certainly a unique place to visit and if you can ignore the cars and wheelie bins it really does feel like you have been transported back in time without the need to even touch a standing stone, although there are some nearby if you still feel the need...