r/CozyPlaces Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

COTTAGE East Neuk, Scotland. Early 1700s. Fire crackles, waves batter the house.

7.9k Upvotes

124 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator Dec 26 '22

Welcome to r/CozyPlaces! If you are new to this sub or visiting from r/all, please take a moment to read our rules before commenting.

We do our very best to encourage a wholesome and friendly environment here. This sub is largely original content, where people are sharing their homes for our enjoyment. Rude behaviour and being a jerk will not be tolerated.

Thank you for understanding and have a cozy day!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

519

u/miaomiaomiao Dec 26 '22

Neuk means Fuck in Dutch 🤭

282

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

Ha! I should have known (neuken in de keuken).

This part of Scotland traded heavily with the Dutch back in the day (hence the stepped Dutch gables of our house and many others).

It must have provided a good laugh to the Dutch sailors and tradesmen.

32

u/outdoorsyAF101 Dec 27 '22

I learned two things today! What were they trading?

62

u/OreoSpamBurger Dec 27 '22 edited Dec 27 '22

10

u/Szygani Dec 27 '22

Why would we trade fish? Both countries are coastal countries! What did we do; "here's a herring, can have your herring now?"

5

u/OreoSpamBurger Dec 27 '22

Yeah I wondered that, but it was mentioned in one of the articles I linked.

Maybe Scottish fish was considered better or 'exotic' or something? They also mentioned Salmon, which I would guess Scotland had relatively more of.

1

u/albadil Dec 27 '22

Looks uncomfortably at name of the village...

12

u/OstentatiousSock Dec 27 '22

Wow! So this is your ancestral home? Super cool!

44

u/Judazzz Dec 27 '22

Can confirm: I'm Dutch and that title made me chuckle like an idiot.

Is there a Downtown or Central Neuk as well?

47

u/WilliamofYellow Dec 27 '22 edited Dec 28 '23

"Neuk" is simply the Scots version of the English word "nook", meaning corner. The East Neuk is the corner of the Kingdom of Fife that sticks out into the North Sea.

2

u/Judazzz Dec 27 '22

TIL, thanks!

12

u/AlwynEvokedHippest Dec 27 '22

/u/WilliamofYellow is right about the etymology of the town’s name.

Although unrelated to the naming of this town we do have the word nookie in English which supposedly comes from that Dutch word.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nookie

19

u/ssyoit Dec 27 '22

Funny. My first thought looking at the photos was how this was 100% a baby-making home

18

u/fckingnapkin Dec 26 '22

I love how this is the first comment. I snorted when I read the title because of it🙄

-115

u/HagweiNoir Dec 26 '22

No it doesn't.

68

u/AlpacasAreGreat Dec 26 '22

It does mean that. Source: am very Dutch

27

u/[deleted] Dec 26 '22

You’re just out here lying huh.

3

u/ksHunt Dec 27 '22

And he spoke it, and thus it was so! The arbiter of all Dutch

2

u/JynxTail Dec 27 '22

It does, what the neuk are you on about?

166

u/miaomiaomiao Dec 26 '22

What happens during a storm? House gets very wet?

190

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

Very wet.

Our window cleaner is looking at an early retirement.

18

u/ZolotoGold Dec 27 '22

Do you not get a lot of damp?

166

u/escape00000 Dec 26 '22

Picture quality is pretty good for the 1700s

220

u/khkokopelli Dec 26 '22

I would sleep so well with all the wind and sea noises, the fire crackling. Oh yessssss. On my way

125

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

Yes, and add to it the dogs all curled up. Dead to the world.

50

u/khkokopelli Dec 26 '22

Until you go to the fridge or open a pack of something

57

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

Ah mate. It sounds cosy enough, but I've made a rod for my own back by giving them each a bedtime treat routine.

Once it gets past a certain hour, any slight movement of mine on the sofa = dogs bolt upright, tails wagging.

34

u/khkokopelli Dec 26 '22

Treat? Snackie time? Nibblies? Yes? Yes? Yes!!!!!

36

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

All of the above. They are always apparently the main characters.

10

u/zephyrcake Dec 26 '22

Oh come ooon. It’s like perfection. Enjoy mate

23

u/ChakaKohn2 Dec 27 '22

Me too! I think living on the sea is so exciting. Unfortunately, in California, living on the sea means erosion, flooding, mudslides, and high tides that rip out your foundation.

I presume it’s not a problem here since these homes have lasted this long. I want to stay in one!

103

u/[deleted] Dec 26 '22

Whats it like to insure a house like that?

155

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

My father winces every time he's asked. They rent it out, which adds to it unfortunately.

59

u/[deleted] Dec 26 '22

can i rent your cottage? I'm going to scotland in april 2023

50

u/khanbot Dec 27 '22 edited Dec 27 '22

Yeah I realllllly want the answer to this one! Hah

Edit: Here’s the listing on TripAdvisor for anyone interested!

2

u/bmobitch Dec 27 '22

minimum stay of 7 nights and HAVE to check in on a friday… not making it particularly travel friendly.

mid april was C$3,377 which is $2,500 USD. not great but not awful. it has 4 bedrooms.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '22

4 bedrooms! I'm thinking of something hobbit size, a real modest cottage.

1

u/bmobitch Dec 28 '22

that’s more my style! small places are cozier to me.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 28 '22

thank you for the link!

59

u/[deleted] Dec 26 '22

Is this Pittenweem?

This feels like Pittenweem. And as someone who's been on wintery holidays to Pittenweem. There's nothing like a stormy night whilst you're in front of the fire. While the waves crash around the harbour nearby.

56

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

Yes, good eye. It's a dreamy wee village if you like the sights and sounds of the sea.

13

u/Amazing-Wall-5228 Dec 27 '22

Pittenweem! Is the chocolate shop still there? My partner and I were in Anstruther for a year and loved walking over

6

u/zghyir3756 Dec 27 '22

Yes it’s still there!

4

u/un_not_applicable Dec 27 '22

Yep, still there, we were in it a few months ago.

Grumpiest bastard ever serving people. Customers were a real inconvenience for her.

Then hit out with 'i don't think you mean 4 of those, they are expensive'

4

u/outdoorsyAF101 Dec 27 '22

Good spot, I had my money on there or St Monans..

1

u/Inamo Dec 27 '22

Wonderful place, love the tidal pool.

89

u/onlythehappiests Dec 26 '22

You all better be wearing boiled wool sweaters and smoking pipes by the firelight in there.

69

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

Yes, that's actually enshrined in law

37

u/MC936 Dec 26 '22

I've got family friends that own the pink house with the steps just back along the road towards the harbour. Were the original houses demolished? I remember climbing all over the rocks there when I was younger, but also don't remember there ever being any buildings there until Rock House was built?

37

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

It used to be called Rock Villa, now House on the Rock.

It's still the original 1700s structure, but converted from 3 houses to 1. However between it being 3 houses and 1, I'm told it spent a lot of time with the far end house (near the rock) being either collapsed or a garage.

17

u/MC936 Dec 26 '22

Maybe it's just the far end that I remember being a lot more open space then. It's a fantastic place, I've been in a few times over the years with the Art weeks.

67

u/Remarkable-Advisor42 Dec 26 '22

I'd never sleep...waiting for that rogue wave 🌊.

90

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

It used to be 3 houses, the most extreme of which partially caved in during the 20th century.

An elderly neighbour whose aunt and uncle used to own this house a long long time ago told us that the new harbour wall protects us to no end. Before that, you would supposedly get barrel waves to the front door in the worst of weathers.

21

u/Ssladybug Dec 27 '22

barrel waves to the front door in the worst of weathers.

I have nightmares like this

18

u/arlmwl Dec 26 '22

Oh my God.

19

u/arlmwl Dec 26 '22

Same. I could never relax.

15

u/CuileannDhu Dec 27 '22

The house has stood there for 300 years. I'd sleep pretty soundly.

7

u/Sipredion Blankets Dec 27 '22

Don't believe in climate change then?

26

u/Brushchewer Dec 26 '22

And you’re so close to the best chippy. We take regular trips up from Falkirk to Anstruther to get a fish supper. I grew up by the seaside and it just refills something in my soul being by the sea.

13

u/imightb2old4this Dec 27 '22

Harbours and chippy’s. Heaven

3

u/Emziloy Dec 27 '22

The chippy in Pittenweem or Anstruther? The one in Pittenweem unfortunately went on fire a few months back. Not sure they'll reopen.

2

u/Brushchewer Dec 27 '22

Anstruther, the one on the front with the attached icecream place.

2

u/Emziloy Dec 27 '22

Ah yeah. Anstruther Fish Bar. I work round the corner.

53

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

This is OC

23

u/mwbstevens Dec 26 '22

Incredible! Bet cars rust pretty quick parking there all the time!

17

u/xPrettiUnicornx Dec 26 '22

The views are so scenic, serene, and picturesque. Scotland is so beautiful.

25

u/doubleshortbreve Dec 26 '22

I'm coming over rn

9

u/CowboyLikeMegan Dec 26 '22

My husbands family is from Scotland, I’ve never been but I’m dying to experience it. Absolutely breathtaking.

8

u/SlightlyStalkerish Dec 27 '22

Beautiful, although definitely a bit close for comfort in my opinion! I applaud whoever is brave enough to risk the storms!

7

u/[deleted] Dec 26 '22

I haven’t been to this spot in fife for years, I promised my colleague at work I’d do more Fife exploring this year!

8

u/Proud-Drummer Dec 26 '22

Winds howling

7

u/sophia1185 Dec 27 '22

This looks sooooo cozy, but at the same time, I'm pretty sure I'd have an irrational fear of drowning in my sleep, lol.

8

u/DanakAin Dec 27 '22

How many dutchies had to double look to see if the title was correct xD

6

u/MollyPuddleDuck Dec 26 '22

My idea of heaven 😀

6

u/Knownoname98 Dec 26 '22

Neuk... Really cosy indeed!

8

u/Quercusia Dec 26 '22

And erosion ?

28

u/Almighty_Egg Dog at feet Dec 26 '22

We don't talk about the E word

1

u/shinebullet Dec 27 '22

EROSION, EROSION, EROSION!!!

4

u/Proud-Drummer Dec 26 '22

It's coming

3

u/MMZEren Dec 26 '22

nice porsche cayenne! r/porsche would love this.

3

u/MoogTheDuck Dec 26 '22

I dunno, I feel like poseidon is gonna take it back

3

u/IntelligentTurn3216 Dec 27 '22

It must be amazing to watch a storm roll in

3

u/_lippykid Dec 27 '22

Sad it won’t be there too much longer. I’ve seen plenty of similar houses in the north of England end up in the sea after the cliffs get eroded by he waves. Glad you’re getting to enjoy it in all its glory . That stove is a beast

3

u/Sirena_Seas Dec 27 '22

I'm imagining drifting off to sleep to the sound of the waves. Lovely sound whether gentle or rough.

3

u/Jerker_Circle Dec 27 '22

Wouldn’t the ocean spray rust the car?

6

u/AntisocialAddict_ Dec 26 '22

This is why being Scottish is the best.

2

u/DesignInZeeWild Dec 27 '22

This is so perfect. 💕

2

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '22

Alls well and good till the fire goes out and the cold times begin

2

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '22

Hygge

2

u/MiserableScot Dec 27 '22

I live not far along the coast from here, lovely little places on the Fife coast that I did look at before purchasing the house I did but they were all out of budget. Fantastic looking house though, not sure how well I'd sleep in there though!

2

u/AliceAnne1 Dec 27 '22

This is amazing!

2

u/laughing_cat Dec 27 '22

So it's like $1500 a night or thereabout? I guess partly bc it's so large. Looks like heaven, but I could never afford that.

2

u/[deleted] Dec 27 '22

Damn, never thought I’d see a Super Coz 7000

2

u/dr3 Dec 27 '22

The Scottish distilleries are on the coast, not because the salt water — the peat makes it peaty. To get the lions share off the docks without paying taxes. Would be cool to know what disappeared off your docks.

2

u/OstentatiousSock Dec 27 '22

I just love this post. I don’t know if it’s because I miss my ancestral home or I love the sea so much that this would be a dream for me, but either way, I love this.

2

u/travelingtutor Dec 27 '22

I was just there in May. Going back in February.

Hopefully moving to Dundee.

2

u/guinnypig Dec 27 '22

Damn I'd love to stay there

2

u/TheFlanginator Dec 27 '22

You’ve made it. 😊

2

u/MissFortune2222 Dec 27 '22

Absolutely lovely pictures 💖 I feel like I'm there!

2

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat Dec 27 '22

"waves batter the house" I would find that frightening.

2

u/Lunanella Dec 27 '22

This reminds me so much of a videogame (walking simulator, in fact) called Dear Esther. Beautiful!

2

u/No_Seaworthiness7119 Dec 27 '22

Oh OP, I’m living vicariously through you! Your home is pretty much my dream getaway! Loved Scotland when I visited this year and I can’t wait to come back.

2

u/FuckMelnTheAssDaddy Dec 27 '22

Pretty sure they didn’t have photography like this in the 1700s.

2

u/doogs914 Dec 27 '22

Wow thats my idea of heaven. Just beautiful

2

u/vrijheidsfrietje Dec 27 '22

Oost, Neuk, handen thuis viespeuk!

2

u/xXcoinstormXx Dec 27 '22

I love pittenweem, stay there every summer!

2

u/camelry42 Dec 28 '22

Sounds like a place where you sleep like a log

2

u/doooplers Dec 27 '22

Thats gotta be a cold house

1

u/fatstylekhet Dec 27 '22

Have you looked at one of those maps predicting water levels in 5, 10, 20 years? You should.

-4

u/AvengingGeist Dec 27 '22

I think in a few years it's going to all be washed away be the sea...

And before anyone says "it's stood for 300 years!"

The trend of glacial melting is accelerating with decaliters of ice calving into the Arctic Ocean. Seas are rising, seas are warming. Weather patterns are changing. Many of us have already experienced a dramatic shift in one form or another.

So that fireplace in the picture? It's getting doused. By the sea.

All of the dogs at OPs feet? Might get washed away.

Water, water, everywhere.

1

u/neilabz Dec 26 '22

Is this Crail? I'm going to Elie in two days

1

u/Emziloy Dec 27 '22

Pittenweem.

1

u/abbstractassassin Dec 27 '22

This place looks haunted af lol just because

1

u/OktayOe Dec 27 '22

Uhh don't park your car at that spot there man.

All that salty air and actual water is death for your car.

1

u/misoandroux Dec 27 '22

I'm so jealous, this looks like such a dream! Perfect place to write a book.

1

u/NearbyLemon Dec 29 '22

Knew it before I read the title! My husband grew up a minute down the coastal path

1

u/justk4y Dec 29 '22

Oost west thuis best