Little Haven
Little Haven is a lovely stone-built cottage nestling in the picturesque hamlet of Kirkton of Balmerino on the southern banks of the Tay. It enjoys a peaceful and secluded location, with wonderful views over The Tay to the Sidlaws beyond and yet is only a fifteen minute drive away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Dundee. A twenty five minute drive will take you to the historic town of St Andrews with its myriad attractions including world renowned golf courses. Perth, with nearby Scone Palace, is a mere forty five minutes drive. Many visitors will enjoy exploring the quaint fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife which are host to a variety of festivals during the summer months. For visitors wishing to travel further afield, Edinburgh and Glasgow are about an hour and one and a half hours drive respectively from the cottage.
The Haven is an ideal base for walkers and cyclists and historians will appreciate the ruins of Balmerino Abbey, a Cistercian Monastery built in 1229, right on the doorstep.
N.B. The Little Haven has a small unfenced pond therefore children must be supervised at all times.
Little Haven is a traditionally built stone cottage dating back to the 1800s. It has been fully renovated and modernised to provide all the comforts of home. It retains its cottage feel and character with a wealth of natural wood finishes. Little Haven has its own private garden with patio area overlooking the Tay, which affords visitors the chance to relax and soak up the beautiful scenery and glorious sunsets that Balmerino has to offer.
- Sleeps – 3 [1 double; 1 single bedroom]
- Bathroom
- Shower room
- Sitting room
- Dining Kitchen
Facilities
- Oil-fired central heating
- TV /Video/DVD/CD HiFi system
- Small library of books, videos, DVDs and games
- Built in electric oven and hob
- Microwave / Fridge / Freezer / Dishwasher
- Washing machine / Tumble dryer
- Garden furniture and barbecue
What’s included
Electricity, heating, cleaning/laundry products, bed linen and towels are included in the rental price. Basic staples such as tea, coffee, salt, pepper, olive oil, sugar are also included.
The official tourism website for Fife has lots of useful information on travel, where to eat, places to see and things to do.
Walking / Cycling
Little Haven is an ideal base for walkers and cyclists, and you will find a number of suggested routes, all laminated for you to take on days out. Fife has one of the UK's most comprehensive cycle networks. Explore 300 miles (500km) of cycle routes along quiet country lanes, disused railway lines and forest tracks as well as commuter routes in towns.
You can hire bikes at:
Spokes
77 South St
St Andrews
KY16 9QW
Tel: 01334 477835
Golf Enthusiasts
There are numerous world renowned golf courses within half an hours’ drive of Little Haven. Perhaps the most famous being The Old Course in St. Andrews which hosts the Open Golf Championships regularly. Carnoustie golf course is also renowned, and is again only a short journey. There are many other golfing venues in fife, catering for all golfing abilities.
www.golfscotland.info/county_fife.html
Fishing
Information on the various types of fishing available in Fife.
The following website gives details of opportunities both in Fife and further afield
www.fishscotland.co.uk/
The Arts
St Andrews is home to The Byre Theatre which is a Five Star attraction. Apart from the year round plays and musical entertainment, there is also a first class restaurant and bar which is open throughout the day and evening.
The Caird Hall in Dundee is another venue for theatrical events. www.cairdhall.co.uk
The Younger Hall music centre in St Andrews often host lunch time concerts which are open to the public.
Riding
There is a riding school in the middle of Tentsmuir Forest, offering miles of forest and beach riding, away from busy roads and traffic.
Also in the area:
Barbarafield Riding School
Barbarafield Farm,
Cupar,
Fife,
KY15 5PU
Tel: 01334 828223
Historians
You don’t need to travel far to enjoy a wealth of history, starting in Balmerino with The Cistercian Abbey built in 1229.
The mediaeval university town of St Andrews is steeped in history and is also considered to be the historic centre of Scottish religion. On a headland to the north of St Andrews stand the ruins of the city's castle, once the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews. There is much to explore here, and when you tire, there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops to fortify yourselves.
To find out more about this and other sites of historic interest visit:
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk and www.nts.org.uk
Dundee is home to the Royal Research Ship “Discovery”, built in Dundee to take Captain Scott to Antarctica. The ship is berthed at Discovery point and is part of an award winning visitor attraction.
Beaches
There are some beautiful beaches in this part of the world. The award winning film ‘Chariots of Fire’ was filmed on St Andrews West Sands. From that vantage point you can look across the water to the beach at Tentsmuir with its backdrop of forestry. Heading south along the coastal road from St Andrews, you will come to a series of picturesque fishing villages, which make up the "East Neuk" of Fife.
Cinemas / Leisure Centres
Both St Andrews and Dundee have cinemas and leisure centres
- St Andrews New Picture House
- Dundee Cineworld
- Dundee Odeon
- St Andrews East Sands Leisure Centre
- Dundee Leisure Centre
Restaurants & Cafes
There are numerous restaurants and cafes in St Andrews and Dundee. The closest eating place and pub to Little Haven is The Tay Bridge Halt in Wormit which prepares freshly cooked meals.
By road : Coming from the south, Kirkton of Balmerino is around 22 miles from the M90. Come off the M90 at Junction 8, taking the A91 towards St Andrews . At the roundabout, go left onto the A92 towards Dundee . After approximately 7.5 miles, turn left towards Balmerino. At the last T junction turn right towards Kirkton of Balmerino.
By rail/bus : Inter-city services to Perth, Dundee, Ladybank, Cupar or Leuchars, thereafter by local bus or taxi.
By air : Flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Prestwick or Dundee. Thereafter via the rail/bus network, local bus or taxi.
By Ferry : Exit the new Superfast Ferry Terminal, Rosyth, follow the motorway signs, and join the M90 (Northbound) at Junction 1. Thereafter, observe the 'By Road' instructions above.
There are a number of travel information and route planner websites which you may want to use:
What a privilege being first! Every home comfort in a lovely location – even the weather was kind! A really “special place” – thank you.
Alison and Ron – County Durham Easter 2006
This delightful cottage is the best holiday let we have ever had. Luxurious accommodation and peaceful, idyllic location. We had a ball. Thank you for a warm Scottish welcome. We will be recommending and returning. Grossly undersold on the internet.
Chris and Marylee – Bristol May 2006
One of the loveliest cottages we have stayed in. Very comfortable and a real home from home.
Sharon and Richard – Derbyshire January 2007
We’ve really enjoyed our second visit here, the cottage is wonderful and your little special touches make the visit extra special. Many thanks.
Maggie, Rebekah and Bethany – Newton Sewart February 2007
Our first family holiday, had great fun roaming around the area with our fourteen month old son; highlight was visit to Tentsmuir Forest/beach. Cottage has been a wonderful base to explore; peaceful, picturesque and a pleasure to come home to at the end of a busy day. Had several barbeques on patio, enjoying sunsets, which can be quite dramatic. Overall, it has been a fantastic five (not 4) star break. Thank you for making us so welcome, allowing us some great memories.
Janice, Gary and Matthew - Glasgow July 2007
What a wonderful cottage, thoughtfully worked out in all ways. One of the best we have been to – thank you so much – can’t fault anything. Nice touches like flowers in the rooms and the kettle boiled – thanks – we’ll be back.
Alex and Elaine – Norfolk February 2008
Everything about the cottage exceeded our expectations – immaculate, well equipped and in a perfect setting. We had a really enjoyable week exploring Fife. St Andrews was lovely, especially the Botanic Gardens which are a treasure. Falkland Palace and Gardens are also worth a visit and the Discovery was extremely interesting.
Carole and Mike – Aberdeen June 2008
This is somewhere special! This is the cottage I dream of living in! The gardens and views are beautiful!
Sandra – Glasgow May 2009
Wonderful cottage, nice weather. It is a dream! Thank you for everything. Scotland is very beautiful, we hope to come back to Balmerino.
Marcus, Barbara and Wilfried - Italy. May 2009
What a peaceful surrounding, what a perfect home. We would like to thank you very much for letting us stay in this little jewel. The details for your guests make this house very special!! Thanks.
Corinna, Manuel and Max – Germany July 2009
We had an excellent week in the cottage. We have stayed in a number of very good cottages but this has been the best. The view, gardens etc are fabulous. Only one dodgy day plus a couple of half days but no shortage of things to see and do. Highlights were Falkland Palace, Verdant Works, Discovery and Crail (preferred to Anstruther, Elie etc) Back to real life now (sigh!)
Chris and Moira – Kingston-on-Thames August 2009
