Shore, Anstruther, Fife

Merchant’s House is a striking A-Listed coastal townhouse positioned at the head of Anstruther’s esplanade, overlooking the Dreel Burn and the Firth of Forth. Thought to have origins in the 17th century and sensitively refurbished in 2018, the property forms part of a historic trio once known collectively as The White House. Rich in period detail, it features crow-stepped gables, exquisite original timber panelling, ornate cornicing, and Robert Adam-style fireplaces.

The front door opens into a welcoming dining room, featuring an Adam-inspired open fireplace with a tiled surround, fitted cupboards—including a cloak cupboard—and front-facing windows. From here, a door leads through to the kitchen. Open the original wooden shutters to enjoy bay views from the window seat, or savour morning coffee at the kitchen island while looking out towards central Anstruther. Full of warmth and character, the kitchen includes a range cooker with gas hob, a freestanding fridge and dishwasher, a Belfast sink, and a electric stove set into a charming fireplace. A central island with a breakfast bar forms the heart of the space. From the dining room, stairs rise to a mid-landing providing access to a store, a linen cupboard, and a utility room. A door from the mid-landing leads out to the south-facing rear garden.

The first floor is home to the magnificent timber-panelled sitting room, a standout feature of the house. North- and east-facing windows capture superb views across the water towards East Lothian, while an elegant Adam-style fireplace adds to the room’s period charm. Across the landing is a well-proportioned double bedroom with built-in storage and attractive sea views. A stylish Jack-and-Jill shower room connects both to this bedroom and to the landing.

The top floor offers two further characterful bedrooms, each enjoying elevated views over the coastline, together with a family bathroom featuring a shower over the bath.

The property features a beautifully presented south-facing garden, accessed from the mid-landing and thoughtfully designed to offer a series of inviting outdoor spaces. A paved patio sits just outside the rear door, providing an ideal area for alfresco dining. A gravel path, set in a gentle dog-leg arrangement, leads through well-established planting beds and under attractive timber pergolas. Further along, a decked seating area offers another peaceful spot to enjoy the garden’s picturesque viewpoints. With its landscaped layout and distinct zones for relaxation and entertaining, the garden forms a charming and private extension of the home. An additional area of ground lies to the north of the property, directly across the road. Currently laid to grass, this space offers excellent potential for private parking if desired. The house is also conveniently located close to the esplanade’s free public car park.

Merchant’s House holds a short-term let licence and currently runs as a highly successful holiday let, offering excellent potential as a main residence, second home, or investment property.

EPC Rating - D
Council Band - E
Tenure - Freehold

Summary of Accommodation

• A-Listed 17th/18th-century coastal townhouse
• Dining room with Adam-style fireplace
• Characterful kitchen with range cooker and bay views
• Utility room, store and rear garden access on mid-landing
• Magnificent timber-panelled first-floor sitting room with sea views
• Three bedrooms with coastal outlooks
• Shower room (Jack-and-Jill) and family bathroom
• Beautifully presented south-facing landscaped garden with patio and decked seating area
• Additional plot to the north suitable for private parking
• Short-term let licence in place - expires 27/09/2027

Location
Merchant’s House sits in a prime waterfront position in the heart of historic Anstruther, overlooking the meeting point of the Dreel Burn and the Firth of Forth. Just a short stroll from local shops, cafés, restaurants, and the bustling harbour, the property enjoys all the convenience and charm that the East Neuk is renowned for.

Anstruther forms part of a string of picturesque coastal villages celebrated for their beaches, colourful harbours, and thriving arts scene. The nearby village of Pittenweem is home to one of Scotland’s best-known annual arts festivals. The town also offers a working harbour, excellent leisure boating facilities, a supermarket, independent retailers, and outstanding dining — including the Michelin-starred restaurant The Cellar. Schooling is available locally at Anstruther Primary and Waid Academy, with excellent independent options in St Andrews and Dundee. The area is also well known for its exceptional golf, with Kingsbarns, Crail, Elie and the world-famous courses of St Andrews all easily accessible. Transport links are strong, with nearby railway stations at Leuchars, Cupar and Markinch, and airports at Edinburgh and Dundee offering routes across the UK and beyond.

General Remarks & Information

Fixtures and Fittings:
Only appliances specifically mentioned in the sales particulars are included in the sale price. In all other aspects the treatment of fixtures and fittings within the relevant Conveyancing Standard Clauses apply.

Services:
Gas heating, mains water, electricity, broadband, telephone (subject to telephone providers’ regulations).

Viewing:
By appointment through Rettie St Andrews. 28 Bell Street, St Andrews, KY16 9UX. Email: Tel:

Offers:
Offers should be submitted in Scottish Legal Form to the selling agents Rettie & Co. A closing date by which offers must be submitted may be fixed later. Please note that interested parties are advised to register their interest with the selling agents in order that they may be advised should a closing date be set. The seller reserves the right to accept any offer at any time.

Council Tax Band:
E

EPC Rating:
D

Postcode:
KY10 3DY

Tenure:
Freehold
Internet Website

This property and other properties offered by Rettie & Co. & Rettie LLP's. can be viewed on our website at as well as Rightmove, OnTheMarket and The London Office.

Servitude Rights, Burdens & Wayleaves

The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes whether contained in the title deeds or informally constituted and whether or not referred to above.

Important Notice

Rettie, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:
They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either in writing or by word of mouth. Any information given is entirely without responsibility on the part of the agents or the sellers. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.
All Rettie floorplans are drawn to RICS standard. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive and it should not be assumed that the property remains as photographed. Any error, omission or mis-statement shall not annul the sale or entitle any party to compensation or recourse to action at law. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents, including for its current use. Rettie & Co. & Rettie LLP’s have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise and ought to seek their own professional advice.
All descriptions or references to condition are given in good faith only. Whilst every endeavour is made to ensure accuracy, please check with us on any points of especial importance to you, especially if intending to travel some distance. No responsibility can be accepted for expenses incurred in inspecting properties which have been sold or withdrawn.
Proof and source of Funds/Anti Money Laundering

Under the HMRC Anti Money Laundering legislation all offers to purchase a property on a cash basis or subject to mortgage require evidence of source of funds. This may include evidence of bank statements/funding source, mortgage or confirmation from a solicitor the purchaser has the funds to conclude the transaction.

All individuals involved in the transaction are required to produce proof of identity and proof of address. Rettie use electronic verification, if this is not possible original documents are acceptable.
Misrepresentations

The property is sold with all faults and defects, whether of condition or otherwise and neither the seller nor Rettie & Co. or Rettie LLP’s, the selling agent, are responsible for such faults and defects, nor for any statement contained in the particulars of the property prepared by the said agent.
The Purchaser(s) shall be deemed to acknowledge that they have not entered into contract in reliance on the said statements, that they are satisfied themselves as to the content of each of the said statements by inspection or otherwise and that no warranty or representation has been made by the seller or the said agents in relation to or in connection with the property.
Any error, omission or misstatement in any of the said statements shall not entitle the purchaser(s) to rescind or to be discharged from this contract, nor entitle either party to compensation or damages nor in any circumstances to give either party any cause for action.


EPC Rating: D
Council Tax Band: E