THERE are some holidays where the memories you make last a lifetime. I’m thinking back to my days as a kid, when a trip to Millport with seemingly never-ending, sunshine-filled days were spent on the beach, making sandcastles and scrabbling about the rocks. This spring we had one of those really special breaks with my wee boy Jimmy. As we played in the sand at Crail, making treasure maps and catching shrimp in rock pools, I could almost feel the snapshots solidifying in his little mind, images that will stay with him for decades to come. We adore the East Neuk of Fife with its picture-perfect fishing villages dotted all along the coast - and Crail is our personal favourite.This time round we stayed at Sauchope, a caravan and camping site situated at the edge of the village, and right on the shore. There are lots of different options for accommodation and we chose a plush wigwam kitted out with all you could need for a short break, from comfy beds and a loo and shower to a mini-kitchen area. It also has a little decking area to kick back and enjoy an evening glass of wine, a fire pit for toasting marshmallows, and a wood-fired hot tub, ideal for relaxing and warming up after a day outdoors. Meanwhile, a little playpark and games room to keep kids entertained are nearby on-site as well as an outdoor pool that opens in the summer hols. But the absolute best thing about the wooden wigwam is its location. It is literally 10 steps from the beach. After we arrived and unpacked, we headed straight for the shore and whiled away the evening coming up with wild pirate adventures and sandy games with Jimmy before dispatching his dad, Ryan, to the local fish bar for dinner. I know everyone raves about Anstruther’s award-winning suppers but I believe Crail’s chippie is Scotland’s best-kept secret. Their flaky haddock and juicy scampi are the best I have ever tasted. After an incredibly comfy sleep, we woke to the sound of the waves and the gulls overhead — a sure signal of another day of seaside exploits ahead. Sauchope lies right on the Fife Coastal Path, making it really easy to get into the heart of Crail. But there are many rock pools and little bays between the park and the centre of the village so what should have been a 10-minute walk took us the best part of two fun-filled hours. By the time we arrived, we were ready for lunch and secured a prime spot on the terrace of Crail’s Harbour Cafe. This ramshackle eaterie and gallery is bursting with character and curios, as well as serving up some extremely tasty home-made fare. My personal highlight was the fresh tomato and basil soup followed by decadent chocolate cake with creme fraiche. It was another long walk home, this time doing a spot of fishing in a large tidal pool by the shore and playing tig at the playpark, which overlooks the water. By the time we got back, lunch was a distant memory, so we cracked out a barbecue and enjoyed some sizzling sausages as the sun went down. After barbie leftovers for brekkie, we headed out of Crail for Day Two. There are so many great family attractions around the East Neuk and we opted for one of the best, Craigtoun Country Park. Just outside St Andrews, the 47-acre green space has loads of free facilities but for £10 each you can spend the whole day using the paid-for attractions. We took a trip on a mini-train, played pitch and putt, rode on go-karts and enjoyed many a bounce on trampolines before heading back to Crail thoroughly exhausted and ready for a good feed. Thankfully I had booked us into the village’s Golf Hotel for dinner where we all enjoyed yet more fresh fish and chips before heading back for a dip in the hot tub and bed. When we got home the next day, the first thing Jimmy wanted to do was draw a picture of his wigwam, confirmation this was a holiday that will stay with him — and us — for a long time to come.