Crail became one of the first Royal Burghs in the 13th C with a royal castle. It was an important agricultural area, home to wealthy merchants trading with the Netherlands and Baltic States and with rich fishing. It was an important ecclesiastical centre with close links to the monastery on the Isle of May. John Knox preached in Crail Kirk. Crail Golfing Society is the seventh oldest in the world and now has two excellent courses.
An airfield was created just towards the end of WWI, it was greatly expanded for WWII as HMS Jackdaw, Royal Naval Air Station Crail, for training naval pilots in techniques for dropping torpedoes. After the war it was used by the Black Watch before they were sent to Suez, HMS Bruce for training boys going into the navy and then as the Joint Services School for Languages where mainly Russian was taught during the Cold War.
There are semi-permanent exhibitions in the Burgh Room and the Airfield Room.
This year's special exhibitions are "Childhood in Crail - 1900 to 1960", "Craftsmen of Crail" and the "Battle of Jutland".
Guided walking tours are run from the Museum on Sundays during July and August.
Crail museum is also a Visitor Information Point in partnership with VisitScotland.
Crail Museum & Heritage Centre is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation - SC023505
