The Fife region of Scotland is one of the most gorgeous that the country has to offer, and a visit to Cupar is sure to convince you of that. This royal burgh has beautiful Medieval architecture and is surrounded by unique attractions that will make your holiday in Cupar one to remember. We’re not kidding when we say there are many things to do in Cupar!
Cupar, during Medieval Scotland, was a bustling market town for the working class and many of the town’s buildings are reminiscent of this charming style. Historic buildings like the Corn Exchange, Preston Lodge, Chancellor’s House, and Mercat Cross all date back to the 17th century and are truly extraordinary.
Take a stroll down St Catherine Street and enjoy a superb selection of accommodation, restaurants, and local shops that give Cupar an authentic charm. Follow the road more, and you’ll come across even more…
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Things to Do in Cupar
It’s certainly not an understatement that Cupar is a quaint place with big attractions! A holiday to this county town is sure to be filled with wondrous sights and experiences – that’s for certain.
A day out in Cupar could have you exploring the Cairnie Mega Maze with your family, visiting adorable does at the Scottish Deer Centre, or delving into the history at Dairsie Castle. Cap the evening off with a round of golf at the Cupar Golf Club or just relax by the River Eden, and you’re sure to come away with a profound admiration for the attractions in Scotland.
If you’re still having trouble deciding what you should and shouldn’t see, read our guide for the top things to do in Cupar.
Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze
A trip to the Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze is undoubtedly one of the most fun experiences you can have in Cupar.
This attraction is the perfect day out for the family, with lots to do for children and teenagers. From June to September, you can pick fresh fruits from the 45 acres of Cairnie Fruit Farm and add one more delicious treat for the family picnic.
And if you’re visiting from around March to October, children can enjoy time at the fun yard or find their way out of the Mega Maze! No better attraction caters to families than Cairnie Fruit Farm & Mega Maze.
The Scottish Deer Centre
If you want to experience the wildlife of Scotland with a personal touch, look no further than this centre.
This attraction sits west of Cupar along the A91 and holds over 12 species of deer, and other animals lost to Scotland, like bears, lynx, and wolves. You can even feed specific deer, which is guaranteed to create a lifelong memory!
Join in on the informative talks, feeding times, and ambassador displays, and you’ll leave the Deer Centre an expert on the wild side of Scotland.
Check Out the Cupar Heritage Centre
The Cupar Heritage Centre proclaims itself as a “Wee Gem” of an attraction, and we could not agree more!
Whenever you arrive at a new place, it’s always best to learn about it as much as possible. At this Heritage Centre, you can learn Cupar’s history from its beginnings as a Pictish settlement, a market town in Medieval Scotland, and a royal burgh and tourist attraction today.
The Centre also includes beautiful photographs, documents regarding population, villages, and businesses, and key places like the Duncan Institute. You can find this attraction near the Cupar Railway Station.
Explore Cupar Town Centre
Amidst 17th-century property and services with a smile, a brief walk throughout the local streets and buildings reveals a beautiful town centre with a tranquil atmosphere.
Cupar is frequently revered as being surrounded by some of Scotland’s prettiest landscapes and nature, making it a great base of operations to explore Fife from. That said, make sure to set aside time to discover the lovely town before heading out.
A quick search will treat you to friendly local shops filled with delicious Scotland delicacies. The excellent accommodation also makes Cupar a great place to rest your head after a day of exploring sites and attractions.
Hill of Tarvit Mansion House
If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, a trip to the Hill of Tarvit Mansion House will undoubtedly immerse you into a world of Edwardian-style design.
Explore the stunning interior filled with Chinese porcelain, ceramics, tapestry, and paintings by Sir Henry Raeburn. The surrounding property gardens are just as engaging, and you can enjoy putting croquet with a spectacular view from the hill.
The Mansion House dates back to the 17th century and has been renovated to keep its original charm and Edwardian design in mind. The Scotland National Trust maintains it.
Haugh Park
Haugh Park is a place of respite frequently used by the town’s population for dog-walking and picnics.
The park overlooks the winding River Eden as it makes its way through the fertile Howe of Fife. Around the park, you can see the beautiful county buildings and churches from the shade underneath the park’s trees.
When the sun is shining, and the atmosphere of Cupar creates a sense of calm, Haugh Park is the location to be.
Scotstarvit Tower
If you want to see a unique location and attraction in Scotland, pay a visit to the eccentric Scotstarvit Tower.
This tower house can be found just south of Cupar, easily accessed by following the A916 opposite Tarvit Hill. The site was built by eccentric Sir John Scot and did not contain a kitchen; one room has no fireplace while another is without windows – puzzling!
This poet and lawyer put their personality into this unique tower house, and you’re free to explore its rooms while in Cupar.
Cupar Golf Club
For some, playing a round of golf is the perfect addition to a holiday and to those people we highly recommend Cupar Golf Club.
When you come to Scotland, you come to the home where golf was invented, and Cupar Golf Club could be the oldest nine-hole golf club in the world! You’ll find that this great club will entertain and challenge golfers of all skills, and non-members are welcome to play.
End off your day by sitting at the club’s restaurant, and you’ll be confident that it was a day well spent.
Crawford Priory
The Gothic ruins of the derelict Crawford Priory are an incredible look into Scotland’s past.
Initially built for the unmarried Lady Mary Crawford, the priory fell to ruin after her death in 1833 and has been a curiosity ever since. There are rumours that the ghost of Lady Mary still haunts the grounds of the structure, so any budding ghost hunters should put this attraction on the top of their list!
Make sure to take care when exploring Crawford Priory, as the ruined walls and floors make a walk through its halls an unstable endeavour.
Fife Folk Museum
The Fife Folk Museum in the nearby town of Ceres offers an engaging and informative way of learning about the region’s history.
This incredible museum is run by volunteers who ensure that Fife’s authentic buildings and history will be around for many generations. You can look forward to immersing yourself in the lives of the working classes with the use of beautiful exhibits, artefacts, and illustrations.
The volunteers of the Fife Folk Museum are experienced, guiding you through the annals of history with charm and wit! Wrap up your day by visiting the Bishops Bridge Tearoom, and you’ll want to come back for more.
Lordscairnie Castle
Once said to have been surrounded by a moat and been a structure of strategic importance, Lordscairnie Castle has seen much of Scotland’s events.
The ruins of Lordscairnie Castle can be found between the A92 and A913 on a public access road and is well worth driving to! You can easily see the castle from the road or get a closer look by navigating through some shrubbery.
Lordscairnie Castle is an excellent example of a 15th-century castle you can check out while in Cupar.
Fife Zoo
As you’re exploring the county of Fife, make sure to pop by and visit the Fife Zoo – a small zoo packed with animals!
With animals from Africa and South America, you can see adorable meerkats, ring-tailed lemurs, zebras, and even armadillos on your trip to this quaint enclosure. Kids will especially enjoy seeing these unique animals, so make sure to add this to your list if you’re travelling with family!
Fife Zoo is an excellent addition to any day in Fife and is only a 10-minute drive from Cupar along the A91.
Falkland Palace & Garden
The stunning Falkland Palace & Garden is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful attractions in Fife, Scotland.
A 20-minute drive west from Cupar along the A914, this palace was used as a hunting lodge by Mary, Queen of Scots! You can experience Renaissance architecture, conserved paintings and furniture at this spectacular site, and much more!
One of the highlights of Falkland Palace is the gardens surrounding it, which are home to one of Britain’s oldest tennis courts. You can spend an entire afternoon basking amongst the lush foliage around you!
River Eden
Winding through the town of Cupar, the River Eden is easy to forget while visiting grand castles and informative sites.
For holiday-makers who enjoy angling, the River Eden is a great spot to set up a chair and spend an afternoon seeing the stunning wildlife around Cupar. It’s easy to chat with locals and immerse yourself with the population while you catch salmon and seatrout, although you may have to follow the River Eden out of the town centre.
Otherwise, a picnic along the bank of the River Eden in Haugh Park is a superb way to spend a sunny day in Scotland.
Wee Kingdom Cupar Play Centre
While in Cupar with your family, especially if you have younger children, stop by the Wee Kingdom Cupar Play Centre!
This attraction is filled with fun activities that delight kids, such as an indoor climbing gym, mini football pitch, and much more! The adults can enjoy a relaxed coffee at the Wee Kingdom’s cafe and restaurant, which also offers a wide selection of meals for you and your exhausted kids!
If your children want a break from the attractions in and around Cupar, Wee Kingdom is your best bet to revitalise them.
Duffas Park
Duffas Park is where the community of Cupar enjoys outdoor activities in a stocked space full of things to do!
The park is open and spacious and features a football pitch and tennis courts. It’s not uncommon to see runners, couples, and dog-walkers enjoying their evenings here and making full use of its tranquil atmosphere.
If you have an open afternoon or evening (holidays are about relaxing, after all), then a trip to Duffas Park is an ideal option.
Eden Estuary
If you follow the River Eden east along the A91, you’ll eventually find yourself in the quaint town of Eden, home to Eden Estuary!
This expansive conservation of mud and sand flats has an abundance of wildlife for you to see. Bird-watchers will be delighted to hear of the many types of bird species here, including the black-tailed godwit, grey plover, shelduck, and more! Dolphins, seals, and even otters also make their home in the estuary, so keep an eye out when visiting.
The Eden Estuary is a mere 10 minutes away from Cupar, so you can easily fit it into a day of sightseeing.
Birkhill Castle
Come see Birkhill Castle, a fascinating historical site with terrific views of the River Tay as it heads towards Dundee.
This beautiful castle lies just north of Cupar and is stunning to behold. Although the Castle is privately owned, meaning you can’t enter unless attending a wedding or other event at the Castle, it is nevertheless an impressive sight.
Birkhill is also steeped in fascinating history, as the home of the Earls of Dundee and an ancestral location for prominent figures in Dundee history. The grounds of the Castle are similarly enchanting and well worth a bout of exploration.
St Andrews Botanical Garden
Most travellers of Fife pay a visit to St Andrew’s at one point or another, and its proximity to Cupar makes a trip there a great option – especially if you’re seeing St Andrews Botanical Garden.
Home to a wide array of amazing and unique flora, the St Andrews Botanical Garden is a peaceful respite from the bustling towns in Fife. The Garden includes a rockery and walkways flanked by colourful flowers and trees.
Make sure to take a moment to take it all in before exploring the rest of St Andrews, home to beaches, a tidal swimming pool, and much more!
Church of Cupar Old & St Michael
The Church of Cupar Old & St Michael is the oldest surviving church in Cupar, and parts of it date back to 1415!
Everyone is welcome to come and see this monumental structure near the town’s primary schools on Kirkgate, with its ancient clock tower and spire quickly spotted. Inside, the stained glass windows, columns, and beautiful stone work naturally draw the eye.
If you’re invested in Scottish history, a trip to this parish church will not disappoint.
Other Things To Do in The Kingdom of Fife
- Things to do in Anstruther
- Things to do in Burntisland
- Things to do in Dunfermline
- Things to do in Leven
- Things to do in St Andrews
