Ice Cream In Eyemouth

Eyemouth is a small town on the East coast of the Scottish Borders region, a mere 5 or so miles from the English border.   It is famous for its long history of fishing (which is still active today), as well as for smuggling, given its coastal position.  Anywhere that has a reputation for smuggling, particularly wine and spirits, sounds very much like the kind of place I need to visit.   In addition to smuggling, Eyemouth also has a reputation for multi award winning ice cream.  LT selflessly offered to test this out for me.   For blog purposes only, you understand.

Giacopazzi’s is located next to the harbour and has indoor and outdoor seating. The main restaurant/café area is finished to an excellent standard and you can enjoy your food and drink in a relaxing atmosphere.   If you choose, however, to sit outside in the sun, be prepared to enjoy your ice cream while being subjected to jealous stares by passing motorists and salivating children/dogs.   It will happen.

Giacopazzis

what to have?

coffee fix!

feed me! 

This multi award winning ice cream parlour serves up a wide range of flavours and all products, including sorbets, are freshly made each day in the store.   After being hauled in off the street by a wide eyed LT, we perused the offerings and, despite not liking ice cream so much, I was finding it difficult not to dictate what he should buy.  I was gently pushing for creme egg (I LOVE those things...), but LT is more of a classic person and opted for banana.  They all looked fantastic and I was somewhat surprised that he only had one scoop.  Probably more to do the with bacon roll he'd demolished at breakfast than anything else.  I had my usual coffee fix and we happily sat in the Cafe and decided where we would hit next.  Eyemouth is beautiful in the sunshine and a lovely spot to randomly wander around and relax by the water.  After the ice cream/coffee consumption was over, we headed out to get some sun and burn off some calories.

Eyemouth harbour

Gunsgreen House

Harbour and Gunsgreen House

Located nearby Giacopazzi’s is the Eyemouth Museum.   The site offers a history of the town and, in particular, dedicates space to the tragic fishing disaster of 1881.  One of the highlights of the museum is the Eyemouth Tapestry, which comprises 1,000,000 stitches and involved 1,100 hours of needlework.  Not an easy task.   Entry to the Museum is free of charge.

On the other side of the harbour is Gunsgreen House.  The house is of John Adam design and was built by local smuggler, John Nisbet, who needed it to store his ‘special’ goods.   The House was constructed with a fabulous tea chute where all the smuggled loose leaves could be secreted away.   Who says crime doesn’t pay?   There is an admission charge for the house, but lots to do; and particular attention paid to keeping young visitors happy.

If you’re still holding on to some of those ice cream calories, Eyemouth also has a Maritime Museum.   The site contains a wide array of almost 400 boats and vessels from different countries and time periods.  It also has an extensive library.    Admission charges apply.