Isle of May


The mile-long Isle of May, 6 miles southeast of Anstruther, is a spectacular nature reserve. Between April and July the island's cliffs are packed with breeding kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots, shags and more than 80,000 puffins. Inland are the remains of the 12th-century St Adrian's Chapel, dedicated to a monk who was murdered on the island by the Danes in 875. Several boats operating out of Anstruther harbour offer trips to the island.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Crail Museum

5.82 MILES

The village’s history and involvement with the fishing industry are outlined in the Crail Museum, which also provides tourist information.

2. Scottish Fisheries Museum

5.95 MILES

This excellent museum covers the history of the Scottish fishing industry in fascinating detail, including plenty of hands-on exhibits for kids. Displays…

3. St Fillan’s Cave

6.85 MILES

St Fillan’s Cave was used as a chapel by a 7th-century missionary who reputedly possessed miraculous powers – apparently, when he wrote his sermons in the…

4. Kingsbarns Distillery

7.74 MILES

This distillery opened in 2015 and uses Fife-grown barley to create a distinctive Lowland whisky – it takes a minimum of three years' maturation to create…

5. Scotland's Secret Bunker

8 MILES

This fascinating – and chilling – monument to Cold War paranoia was built in the 1950s to serve as one of Britain’s regional command centres in the event…

6. Cambo Walled Garden

8.07 MILES

Cambo Estate, 2.5 miles north of Crail, is the country seat of the Erskine family. Its walled garden, with an ornamental stream running through the middle…

7. St Monans Heritage Collection

8.18 MILES

Situated on the harbour, St Monans Heritage Collection is a small gallery devoted to the history of the St Monans fishing industry through a collection of…

8. Kellie Castle

9.17 MILES

An authentic example of Lowland Scottish domestic architecture, Kellie Castle has creaky floors, crooked little doorways, superb decorative plasterwork…