COASTAL PATH

HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES OF ’S EAST COAST

FIFE COASTAL PATH - SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY SUMMARY The runs from the in the South to the Tay Road Bridge in the North. It’s 81 mile coastal walk passes through wild and spectacular scenery passing quaint fishing villages and long sandy beaches. Historic castles and caves, an abundance of wildlife and fresh local cuisine make this walk a real Scottish adventure.

Your journey starts at the Waterloo Well in and winds round the coast, straight away you pass a wildlife reserve and then you continue up into . Carry on up passing long stretches of sandy beaches through and into East Wymes where you can visit the famous pre-historic caves. From Leven to Elie you pass through golf courses and you walk on the Elie Chainwalk which many say is Fifes best kept secret. Try an award winning fish supper in harbour while listening to the seabirds as they soar above the waves. Head on up to and you can feast your eyes on the beautiful castle and visit the world famous golf courses. This walk really gives you a chance to explore Tour: Fife Coastal Path Scotlands rich history while offering fantastic views from the coast. Code: WSSFCP1-FCP4 Every holiday we offer features hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, country inns, Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday and guesthouses. Each is unique and offers the highest levels of welcome, atmosphere and outstanding Price: see website local cuisine. We also include daily door to door baggage transfers, route notes with detailed map and pre- Single Supplement: see website Dates: March—October departure information pack as well as emergency support, should you need it. Walking Days: 3-7 HIGHLIGHTS Nights: 4-7 Start: North Queensferry  Immersing yourself in the history and culture of the ‘Kingdom of Fifes Coastal Finish: Newport on Tay Communities’. Distance: 81 Miles  Tucking in to an award winning fish supper at Anstruther Harbour. Grade: Moderate

 Breathing in the sea air and looking for basking seals and dolphins as you walk along IS IT FOR ME? the coast. If you are a fan of stunning sea views,  Searching for wild flowers and walking along stunning sandy beaches on your delightful coastal villages and an journey. abundance of wildlife, then the Fife  Visiting the historic castles of St Andrews and . Coastal Path could be just for you. Add to that list beautiful beaches, welcoming hospitality and great food and WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? you have a classic walk in the making. Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of. Each WHAT’S INCLUDED? holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs Accommodation: Hand-picked B&B’s, Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. small hotels, country inns and guest- houses. Self guided walking holidays are a wonderful relaxed way to discover the magic of the Fife Coastal Path. Meals: A hearty breakfast included. Lunch Free to travel at your own pace and wander off the beaten track, you will discover the beauty of the and dinner not included but always avail- landscape, the warmth of the people and the long history of this spectacular land. In the unlikely event you able at accommodation or nearby. should require emergency support our office is always more than happy to help with your queries. So, Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door from the moment you decide to visit Scotland and the Fife Coastal Path you can relax and look forward to baggage transfer. an unforgettable self-guided walking holiday. We hope that you will choose to travel with Macs Adventure Information Pack: Comprehensive Route Notes with map. soon. FIFE COASTAL PATH

HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES OF SCOTLAND’S EAST COAST

THE FIFE COASTAL PATH ITINERARY: WSSFCP2 ITINERARY: WSSFCP4 Popular Self Guided Itineraries: Description: A little more challenging, this Description: Another ‘Best Of’ Itinerary with 3 itinerary is for the more active walker. days walking and 4 nights. This is a perfect At 81 miles the Fife Coastal Path fits perfectly Averaging around 8 hours walking per day. introduction to long distance walking. into a relaxed week of walking between towns Walking Days: 5 Walking Days: 3 and villages on the Scottish East Coast. Nights: 6 Nights: 4 Average Daily Distance: 16 miles Average Daily Distance: 10 miles Grade: Moderate to Strenuous Grade: Easy to Moderate ITINERARY: WSSFCP1 Day Route Miles Day Route Miles Description: This itinerary averages around 6-7 hours walking per day and is suitable for regular 1 Arrive North 1 Arrive Kircaldy walkers. It allows you Queensferry 0 2 Walk to Leven 10 This detailed description details the walking days 2 Walk to Burntisland 13 3 Walk to Elie 10 on our 6 day & 7 night itinerary. Walking Days: 6 3 Walk to Leven 16 4 Walk to 11 Nights: 7 4 Walk to Anstruther 17 Average Daily Distance: 14 miles 5 Walk to St Andrews 17 Total Distance 31 Grade: Moderate 6 Walk to Newport-on- 18 Tay 7 Onward Travel Day Route Miles Navigation 1 Arrive North Total Distance 81 This route is graded moderate. It does pass Queensferry 0 through some remote country and some of the 2 Walk to Burntisland 13 ground is rough especially on day 6 of the full 3 Walk to Leven 15 ITINERARY: WSSFCP3 itinerary. This route is waymarked but please 4 Walk to Elie 10 use the map for guidance and be aware of signs 5 Walk to Crail 11 and the tide on sections of this walk. 6 Walk to St Andrews 14 Description: This is one of our ’Best Of’ 7 Walk to Newport-on- 18 Itineraries. It takes in the best sections of the Tay walk and finishes in the wonderful city of St Walking Direction 8 Onward Travel Andrews. Why not add an extra night to explore this historic city. We can offer this itinerary from North to South, Total Distance 81 Walking Days: 4 but the South to North itinerary is the most Nights: 5 popular and rewarding. Average Daily Distance: 16 miles Grade: Moderate

Day Route Miles

1 Arrive Burntisland 2 Walk to Leven 15 3 Walk to Elie 10 4 Walk to Crail 11 5 Walk to St Andrews 14

Total Distance 50

FIFE COASTAL PATH

HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES OF SCOTLAND’S EAST COAST

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Day 4—Leven to Elie - 10 miles Day 7—St Andrews to Newport-on- Tay - 18 miles This detailed description details the walking days From Leven the main route leads to Lunden on our 6 day & 7 night itinerary. Links along the glorious sandy beaches. There is The path from St Andrews leads up through the an alternative route at high tide up into the sand town and passes the castle to Guardbridge which Day 1—Arrive Starting Point: North dunes which are a haven for wild flowers and is the home to the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve. Queensferry butterflies. Heading north you can try walking the Look out for cyclists as this path is also the Fife Elie chainwalk if you are feeling brave before you Cycle Way. Crossing the boardwalks into Just 20mins from by train, North reach the beautiful little fishing village. Tentsmuir Forest your journey following the Queensferry is very accessible from the Capital forest up through and a couple of miles City. Marvel at the views of the Forth Road Overnight: Elie B&B later you reach Newport-on-Tay where your Bridge before your walking journey begins. Day 5—Elie to Crail - 11 miles journey ends. Overnight: North Queensferry B&B Passing the lighthouse as you head on up to St Overnight: Newport-on-Tay B&B Monans on the coastal path and you reach an Day 2—North Queensferry to old Windmill which used to pump seawater into Burntisland - 13 miles Day 8—Onward travel the fossil rich limestone beds below. Heading up On your first day, the path leads past Deep Sea to Anstruther you pass the fishing harbour of World to the Carlingnose Wildlife Reserve. You which is worth a stop for photos. RECOMMENDATIONS then pass through the town of and Anstruther is a popular tourist town with daily hug the coastline up to St Davids harbour and boat trips to the nature reserve where Downing Point. Great panoramic views can be thousands of birdlife can be seen. Heading into Additional Nights captured from here and look out for the historic Crail you pass through fields with livestock and Many of our clients choose to add extra nights gun emplacements. The path continues past the also an old salmon bothy. ruins of St Bridget’s Kirk into Aberdour and then along the walk to sample more of the wonderful up through the Blue Flag beaches of Burntisland. Overnight: Crail B&B. walking and attractions available on the Fife Coastal Path. Elie is a great little village for an Overnight: Burntisland B&B /Kinghorn Day 6—Crail to St Andrews - 14 extra overnight stop as is Anstruther where you miles can catch the boat to the Isle of May to see

puffins. Another popular stop is St Andrews with Day 3— Burntisland to Leven - 15 This day is the toughest days walking and can be its world famous golf course, Castle and very challenging in parts. Once you reach Fife miles University. Ness, the most eastern point in Fife, you pass From Pettycur Bay in Kinghorn you follow the through many golf courses and walk along the path up to Kircaldy through areas of volcanic stunning shoreline. Make sure and wait for low Fewer Nights activity from over 300 million years ago. You can tide while walking the path to St Andrews. see limestone containing marine fossils aswell as If you wish to reduce the number of nights we basking seals on the rocks if you are lucky. Overnight: St Andrews B&B. can tailor your trip to your requirements. Ravenscraig Castle follows as you reach Dysart where the Harbourmaster’ House lives with its popular bistro and visitors centre. From Dysart, the path climbs over Blair Point to the walled chapel garden which is the private burial ground of the Wymess family. The caves of Wemyss are reached as you head up to the town of Leven.

Overnight: Leven B&B

FIFE COASTAL PATH

HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES OF SCOTLAND’S EAST COAST

HOLIDAY INFORMATION Dogs Travel Insurance Accommodation Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate We strongly recommend taking out travel walkers with dogs as many of the insurance to cover cancellation or curtailment of One of the highlights of this tour is the accommodation providers do not accept pets. your holiday. high standard of the accommodation. We specifically choose the hotels, inns, Recommended Reading guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you MACS RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL enjoy every minute of your stay. They all Along the Fife Coastal Path—Hamish Brown offer a warm welcome to walkers, 25 Walks in Fife—Hamish Brown traditional hospitality and delicious local Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit food. Walking in Scotland - Lonely Planet Walking Our operating policies, office policies, holidays Guides Scotland - Lonely Planet Guides and tours are all designed to minimise impact Single Rooms and maximise benefit to the environment and Many guides are also available at visitor centres local communities. This independent walking holiday is and local shops. available to solo walkers but as all our Action & Advocacy holidays are priced per person based on two sharing there is a single supplement TRAVEL INFORMATION We believe that by engaging our team and payable to cover the additional costs we clients in environmental and community projects incur. we can make a real difference. Getting to North Queensferry Meals North Queensferry can be accessed easily from Carbon & Communities A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Edinburgh by train. The journey takes only Travel and our business activity does of course Lunch and dinner are not included so you are 20mins. North Queensferry is also easily contribute to carbon output and climate change. free to choose from the available options. Most of accessible from Glasgow (1hr 15 mins) and We have put several policies in place to minimise your accommodations will more than happy to (1hr 20 mins) by train or bus. our carbon footprint. provide a packed lunch on request and this can Getting to Burntisland and Sensitive & Sustainable be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs or On our ‘Best of’ Itineraries you start either in Macs Adventure has worked hard to ensure that restaurants. Burnisland or Kircaldy, both have train stations our holidays are sensitive to the community you and are easily accessible from Edinburgh are visiting and sustainable over the long term. Baggage Transfer (approx 30-40 mins). CUSTOMER REVIEWS Your bags will be transferred from your Getting back from Newport-on-Tay accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. We You can either continue walking to Dundee over We are justifiably proud of our reputation for ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to the which is about 2 miles and catch outstanding holidays on the Fife Coastal Path. 15kg per person. onward travel from there or you can head back down to St Andrews (by taxi) and continue on You can read numerous customer reviews on our Equipment from there. website to get a good idea of what to expect from Macs Adventure on the Fife Coastal Path. Your info pack has a detailed equipment list Getting back from St Andrews and which includes standard walking gear such as Crail good walking boots warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack. St Andrews has many transport links to the rest of Scotland. Crail doesn't have a train station but there are plenty of buses to the rest of Fife and beyond. FIFE COASTAL PATH

HISTORY AND LANDSCAPES OF SCOTLAND’S EAST COAST

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY HOW TO BOOK This Insurance has been arranged by International Passenger Protection Limited and Availability Once you have read all the information in this underwritten by Insurers who are members of the factsheet or on our website and decided on your Association of British Insurers & Lloyds This walking holiday is best enjoyed between preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a Syndicates. March and October. You can start on any date call to confirm availability. You can then book by that suits your travel plans and you will find up to any of the following methods: ABTA Member date availability on our website. The Fife Coastal Statement Path is very popular so it is best to book as far in Book Securely Online: www.macsadventure.com advance as you are able to. Macs Adventure Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 141 530 8886 is a Member of ABTA. ABTA and ABTA Price Fax/Post: Download or request a booking form Members help holidaymakers to get the most from their travel and assist when things don’t go Detailed up to date prices for all our Fife Coastal and post it to Macs Adventure, 44 Speirs Wharf, according to plan. We are obliged to maintain a Path Holidays are available on our website Glasgow, G4 9TH, UK or fax it to +44 (0) 845 high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code here... 527 5688 of Conduct. For more information on ABTA, the Included Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone on Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme +44 (0) 0141 530 8886 or email: available to you if you have a complaint, contact  Hand picked bed and breakfast [email protected] if you have any ABTA, 30 Park Street, SE1 9EQ, tel 020 accommodation in en-suite rooms wherever queries and one of our expert customer service 3117 0581 www.abta.com possible. team will be happy to help.  Door to door baggage transfer. Activity  A detailed info pack and route notes with map BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Scotland Code for the group leader. of Conduct  Emergency telephone support from our office Financial Security Macs Adventure is a in the event of a problem. In accordance with "The Package Travel, member of the Activity Scotland Association, the trade association which supports and promotes Package Holidays and Package Tours Excluded activity providers in Scotland. Macs Adventure Regulations1992" all passengers booking with abides by the Activity Scotland Code of Practice,  Travel to the start or from the finish of the Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the which ensures that your activities are safely and walk. initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all professionally organised, comply with the law  Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks. monies paid to us, including repatriation if required (this insurance will not cover repatriation and are financially protected.  Travel Insurance. to the country of origin for the passengers Personal Equipment.  outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or  Taxi transfers or public transport should you curtailment of your travel arrangements due to need to skip a stage. the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd

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