Fife Coastal Path

Arrive in North Queensferry, and spend the evening at your accommodation overlooking the famous Forth Bridges. Situated 20 minutes north of Edinburgh by train – North Queensferry is very accessible from the capital city.

Your journey along the Fife Coastal Path begins at the Waterloo Well in North Queensferry and continues through the ancient Burgh of Inverkeithing. It hugs the coastline up to the modern town of Dalgety Bay and from here heads past the ruins of St Bridget’s Kirk and into lovely Aberdour with its famous castle – one of the oldest in Scotland.

The Way passes Aberdour’s picturesque harbour and Silver Sands Beach, and follows the route next to the railway to Burntisland – a coastal resort on the Forth.

From Burntisland the route continues around the little harbour at Pettycur whose pier was built in 1760 to ferry traffic across the water to Leith, and through the fishing town of Kinghorn.

Ravenscraig Castle follows as you reach Dysart, with its narrow alleyways and picturesque old buildings, and then follow the path to West Weymss – once one of the most important ports in Fife, trading in coal and salt with the Continent. Leven is the last built-up area until St Andrews.

The East Neuk of Fife now lies ahead with its pretty little fishing villages. It was described by James II of Scotland as a “fringe of gold on a beggar’s mantle”.

From Leven the walk carries on around the shoreline of Largo Bay and across glorious sandy beaches through the little seaside village of Lower Largo. Continue over the cliffs at Earlsferry (or across the Elie Chain Walk for those wanting a more adventurous route!) to the beautiful fishing village of Elie. Transport is provided to Anstruther for accommodation this evening.

The route takes you through the delightful fishing village of St Monans and its Windmill to Pittenweem and on to Anstruther, a popular holiday town which boasts one of the best fish and chip shops in Scotland!

From Anstruther there are daily boat trips to the Isle of May Nature Reserve, a major seabird sanctuary. Carry on to Crail, probably the most scenic harbour of all the East Neuk fishing villages – you can still buy fresh lobster at the harbour.

This day is the toughest day’s walking and can be very challenging in parts. The Coastal Path turns the corner at East Neuk and heads towards St Andrews, passing golf courses and a lovely sandy beach at Kingsbarns on the way – care should be taken just before Kingsbarns where the path leads over cliffs.

From the top of the cliffs at Kinkell Braes, the ancient city of St Andrews with its medieval cathedral is laid out before you. Most people immediately associate St Andrews as ‘the home of golf’ but this ancient city has many other attributes, including the 3rd oldest University in the English-speaking world.

Your final day on the coastal path follows the beaches and the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve towards Leuchars, home to the 12th century St Athernase church – one of the finest examples of a Norman church in the UK.

Crossing into Tentsmuir Forest, walk through the forest up through Tayport, under the Tay Bridge and onto Newport-on-Tay where your journey along the Fife Coastal Path ends. Transport is provided to Dundee for accommodation this evening.

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the Fife Coastal Path.