Crail Pottery fife, In the pretty seaside village of Crail in the East Neuk of Fife, there’s no shortage of things to do. From visiting a fascinating museum to enjoying one of the best fish and chip suppers in Scotland (so says a local), there’s also a delightful pottery centre to visit. And the best part is, even if you’re not a potter yourself, you can still buy some of the gorgeous ceramics made there.
Crail Pottery fife
Stephen and Carol Grieve started the pottery in 1965, inspired by a visit to British potter Bernard Leach and by the beauty of the East Neuk. They bought two near derelict buildings in the town for the princely sum of PS250 – newly married and with Carol working in a local hotel to pay the bills, they set about renovating the buildings while Stephen taught himself how to make pottery using a wheel and kilns.
Crail Pottery fife
The business has remained in the family ever since, and now three generations work there. The studio is a hub of activity – clay is being moulded, ceramic paints applied and fired in the kilns. Visitors are welcome to watch the process, and some people become completely engrossed by it. “They get so involved that we’ve had spontaneous rounds of applause when a piece is finished,” says Sarah.
A variety of different styles of pottery are produced here, from traditional cooking pots to mugs and salad sets. Some are decorated with traditional Scottish designs, like the thistle or tartan patterns, while others are simply glazed in a simpler coating that’s called North Sea Blue.
St Andrews to Crail
All the pieces are hand thrown, hand decorated and glazed in the workshop on the site. They’re then displayed in the showroom and secluded yard, which is shaded by fruit trees. The pottery is a popular attraction for both locals and visitors from abroad. Ben explains that American tourists tend to prefer decorations with the thistle and tartan patterns, while locals love the simpler Hebrides design.
Taxi Service to Crail
The Crail Pottery scotland has become an important part of the local economy, with many of the products sold across Scotland and beyond. Besides selling the pots, the Pottery offers workshops for those who want to try their hand at making a piece themselves. There are also some small gifts and souvenirs for sale, plus a gallery that specialises in coastal prints.
St Andrews taxis
Other things to do in Crail include walking along the coastal path, exploring Craig Heritage Museum or taking a day trip to St Andrews. There are also many restaurants and coffee shops to try, including the harbourfront Seafood Shack, the Honeypot for lunch, for ice cream the Beehive and for dinner the newly opened Shoregate. There are also many hotels in the area and the main high street is lined with quaint independent shops.
