Page 54 - June 2023

WORK/LIFE

My 9-to-5 About East Fife
From busy market towns to charming
The Managing Director of Fife-based coastal hamlets, East Fife has it all and
Morton of Pitmilly Countryside Resort, it’s not surprising that the area has grown
in popularity over the past few years as
Eilidh Smith, shares her daily life and changing lifestyles and new priorities have
career path. drawn buyers into making their dreams of
a new pace of life a reality.

Kirkcaldy, which is the largest town in Fife,
Where do you call home?
is popular with commuters thanks to its
I have come full circle on that one! I grew up at great links to Edinburgh and Dundee – just
Morton of Pitmilly in Kingsbarns in Fife before 50 minutes by road to either destination.
leaving for university. Little did I know that 20 If you love the great outdoors, St Andrews
years later I would return to this sunny corner has the stunning West Sands beach and
of Scotland and find myself living in the place a number of historic golf courses, not to
where I grew up. Currently I live about 20 mention a plethora of bars and restaurants,
minutes from Pitmilly, which gives me a bit of and of course, the world-famous university
separation between home and work. and excellent schooling options.

My day starts with… The East Neuk of Fife stretches from the
A good coffee. I am usually on the go at the villages of Elie and Earlsferry to Crail and
farm from around 8am so caffeination is key! the farm and spend time with our guests who Kingsbarns and was once the heart of
come here to make memories with family and the east coast of Scotland’s fishing trade.
I got my job… friends. When time allows, I love spending time Anstruther is a great choice for downsizers
in the polytunnels growing veg. If I wasn’t the Managing Director of or family buyers wanting a slower pace of
As mentioned, I did not always plan to end up
back in Fife. I had a career in high performance Pitmilly Countryside Resort, I’d have life while the harbour town of Crail has a
particular wealth of beautiful buildings,
sport in London for many years which I loved. My most memorable career moment is… been… including many restored and cared for
When the opportunity came up to learn the Winning the 2023 Scottish Thistle Awards Best I’d have no doubt stayed in London and set
ropes at Pitmilly and double the size of the Self-Catering Accommodation Experience in up a sport therapy clinic and tennis holiday by the National Trust for Scotland, which
accommodation business, I felt it was the right Scotland has been a highlight for me this year. business. adds to its picturesque feel.
time for a change of pace and a new challenge. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate our
It’s been 16 years since I made the move and achievement with the team and to know that What’s the best piece of career advice
in 2018 I took on sole responsibility of the all the effort we put into our high standards and you’ve been given? £269,834 average selling price
business. I am so pleased I did it and I wouldn’t creating a welcoming friendly environment has
change it for the world! paid off. During my many years competing in various
sports, one of my coaches and I worked on 103.1% of Home Report valuation
the basis that you are only as good as your attained
The best part of my job is… After work I… last match. I really like to apply this concept
The magic we create at Morton of Pitmilly. I Most evenings I do one of the following – play to Pitmilly – and say we are only as good as
have a brilliant team and together we work tennis, go to the gym, walk the dog with my our last guest. It keeps us true and honest in The median time to under offer is
hard to create the best possible experience other half, get out on my bike or swim in the our daily goal of making sure that each and 43 days
for our guests. The day to day is very busy, sea. Fife has so much beautiful landscape to every one of our guests has a memorable and
however, we get to bring new ideas to fruition, explore and as summer approaches it is great enjoyable stay with us.
engage with the incredible biodiversity around to make the most of the light evenings!
*Figures are based on properties marketed and sold through ESPC. Home Report valuations relate to properties where the
Home Report was available on espc.com. Figures relate to the three-month period ending on 31/05/2023.
54 | espc.com espc.com | 55