Review: Morton of Pitmilly Countryside Resort, Kingsbarns, Fife - Scotland on Sunday Travel

Only five miles from St Andrews, the Kingsbarns resort was recently named Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience in Visit Scotland's 2023 Thistle Tourism Awards.

The Steading at Morton of Pitmilly Countryside Resort, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife. The resort, which is five miles from St Andrews, was recently named Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience in Visit Scotland's 2023 Thistle Tourism Awards. Pic: Rick Booth

From now on, the “must-haves” for my ideal self-catering accommodation should probably include outstanding green credentials – as well as the usual necessities like comfy beds, wine fridge and a golf course on the doorstep.

That way I'm likely to come across more places like Morton of Pitmilly Countryside Resort, where sustainability is central to efforts to offer closer-to-nature getaways.

Only five miles from St Andrews, the Kingsbarns resort was recently named Best Self-Catering Accommodation Experience in visitscotland's 2023 Thistle Tourism Awards.

The accommodation at Morton of Pitmilly comprises ten four-star cottages in the resort's original Courtyard property and six boutique houses in the newer Steading building, all with sea views and a five-star rating. Pic: Contributed Room service We stayed in Meadowside, a three-bedroom house, each with en-suite shower room, and a spacious open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining area.

Along with the quality of its accommodation, it was commended for its push towards green initiatives and the development of onsite attractions to add value for visitors.

It's a sign that things are going well for Eilidh Smith, a keen tennis player who grew up on the resort with her family and recently took over sole responsibility for the running of the business.

Around 35 of the site's 150 acres have been used by Eilidh as a “canvas” to provide an impressive range of activities for guests - and their dogs.

The remainder is working arable farmland, with open fields and countryside walks providing an added attraction.

Morton of Pitmilly in Fife welcomes dogs who receive their own towel, treats and tennis ball, and access to the specially built dog agility course. Pic: Rick Booth

Budget or boutique?

The accommodation comprises ten four-star cottages in the resort's original Courtyard property and six boutique houses in the newer Steading building, all with sea views and a five-star rating.

Family-focused, dog-friendly facilities and welcoming staff give the place a real home-from-home feel.

Room service

As well as indoor and outdoor tennis courts, the resort has a swimming pool, football pitch, lawn games, a children's play area and an indoor games hub, housing a gym and snooker table. Pic: Kevin S Kirk

We stayed in Meadowside, a three-bedroom house, each with en-suite shower room, and a spacious open-plan lounge, kitchen and dining area.

Both the master bedroom and livingroom benefit from large picture windows looking out across fields to the coast beyond – a vista also enjoyed from the private outdoor dining area.

The upmarket décor and furnishings are modern and fairly minimalist with a finish that's informal rather than fussy.

Wining and dining

Eilidh Smith, a keen tennis player who grew up on the resort with her family and recently took over sole responsibility for the running of the business. Pic: Rick Booth

One of the resort's most recent developments is a charming outdoor cafe and bar area, where a converted shipping container is used to host regular pop-up foodie events, bringing together local chefs and artisan producers.

Guests are invited to pull up a seat – or a hay bale – for a relaxed evening of al fresco wining and dining around the fire pits.

Featured menus throughout the summer include Asian and Mexican street food, pizzas and locally sourced burgers.

If you want to venture further afield, the neighbouring seaside towns and villages (Crail, Pittenweem, Anstruther and, of course, St Andrews) offer an amazing choice of restaurants and bars.

For those happy to fulfil the self-catering brief, the Pitmilly Pantry shop sells Cook brand ready-meals and plenty of local produce. Barbecues are also available for hire.

The pool at Morton of Pitmilly, Kingsbarns, Fife. Pic: Rick Booth

Worth getting out of bed for

From here, St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife, with quaint fishing villages, beautiful coastal paths and world famous golf courses, are yours to explore.

As it is, you'd have to set your alarm pretty early to get around all the onsite leisure facilities.

Together with its orchards, wildflower meadows and expansive nature trails – where you might be lucky enough to spot deer, hares, pheasants, ducks, heron and badgers – the woodland areas are ideal for picnics.

The resort has its own indoor swimming pool (bookable free of charge for exclusive use by your group), as well as indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a football pitch, lawn games, a children's play area and an indoor games hub, housing a gym and snooker table.

We devised our own Pitmilly pentathlon – challenging each other at boules, croquet, table tennis, putting and something called cornhole – to try out as many as possible.

Little extras

"Dog-friendly” doesn't do justice to the welcome given to four-legged guests, who receive their own towel, treats and tennis ball, and access to the specially built dog agility course.

Bathrobes are provided for other guests.

Guestbook comment

As action-packed or laid-back as you choose to make it. We were on the go from start to finish and yet left with our batteries fully recharged.

Summer prices for Meadowside (sleeping six people) start at £700 for the minimum two-night stay.

Morton of Pitmilly, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8QF, 01334 880466, www.pitmilly.co.uk