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Home , Anstruther, Boarhills, Burntisland, Crail, Fife Coastal Path, North Queensferry

Fife Coastal Path

The Coastal Path is a journey of discovery. Designated by Scottish Natural Heritage as one of ’s Great Trails the path is an absolute joy every step of the way as it stretches 81 miles from the Forth Estuary in the south, to the Tay Estuary in the north.

The path begins at with spectacular views of the estuary, the iconic Forth Bridges and the skyline. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the terrain is fascinating with evidence of lava flows and limestone strata containing marine fossils. Dysart Harbour and the Harbourmaster’s House are highlights as you make your way through the 7th century Royal . Cultural heritage, historic monuments, quaint villages, valued nature reserves, volcanic plugs and Fife’s only working fishing harbour are just some of

the gems decorating the path as you continue to and your journey’s end at Newport-on-Tay.

Clifftop walking, woodland, abandoned railway and of course gorgeous grassy paths through golden sand

dunes, combine to deliver an incredible walking experience as you travel through the Kingdom of Fife. Always charming, at times challenging, the and the warm Scottish welcome of its hosts, will remain long in the memory of the walker.

Why do this walk? This is a mainly flat coastal walk and There are one or two sections with can be completed by people with stepping stones. Following high tide, • Delight in 15 Seaside Award beaches limited walking experience who have the ground can be muddy or slippy in and a host of charming coves. a reasonable level of fitness. places. • Marvel at rock formations, lava flows

and fossil sites dating back to a time The Fife Coastal Path has high tide How much up & down? Not very of active volcanoes and tropical alternative paths in places. However, much at all. Most days are relatively swamps. some sections of the route are not flat. However, there are one or two • View stunning examples of passable at high tide and you will raised beaches to step up onto. architecture spanning eight centuries. have to wait until the tide recedes

• Enjoy the many nature or wildlife and the path is clear. One hour after Signposting: Generally good. reserves and sites of special scientific high tide should suffice. Check tide interest boasting marshlands, times before setting out. Navigation: Pretty straightforward. calcareous dunes and botanically Pay attention to the alternative important coastal grasslands. Terrain: Mainly flat walking along paths at high tide. Near golf courses,

• Spot grey seals and bottlenose the edge of the coastal plateau. keep to the path and stay away from dolphins, bats and red squirrels. Some road sections, which aren’t greens and fairways. very busy as well as forest tracks and disused railway line. A couple of sea Essential Info cliffs, and a golf course or two. Route

Length 4 – 7 nights Follow safety signs and keep alert to North Queensferry to Full Route Length 81 miles/130 km what golfers around you are doing. Your journey begins by the Waterloo Shortest Break 34 miles/55 km Well also known as Napolean Well at What’s it like underfoot? On the the bottom of ‘The Brae’ on Ferryhill whole the paths are well defined and Road. Immediately we have a history Grade maintained, but at times a bit sandy. lesson and our first taste of Scots Walking in soft sand on the beach dialect. A brae is a Lowland Scots Easy to can get tiring, however there’s word for the slope or brow of a hill. Moderate usually a parallel path further inland. The well, shaped like Napoleon’s hat,

Hot Pot Wynd stands the was built to commemorate basking on the rocks. Wellington’s victory over Napoleon at Harbourmaster’s House. Now a Coastal Waterloo in 1815. Burntisland to Leven Visitor Centre, bistro and home to Fife Leaving Burntisland, the path remains Coast and Countryside Trust.

At the Scottish Wildlife Trust Nature on the road for a time before rejoining The final stretch towards Leven initially Reserve by Carlingnose Point look out the shoreline at . The Fife for the magenta-coloured bloody Coast and Countryside Trust were keen skirts woodland carpeted in spring with cranesbill, b urnet saxifrage and best of for the path to be, as far as possible, anemone, lesser celandine and all dropwort, rarely seen in Scotland. accessible at all states of the tide. Being primrose before reaching the famous Out at sea stand the remains of the old too close to the shore here would result Wemyss Caves. The caves are decorated with Pictish markings dating pier, a home now for nesting birds. in the path being under water at high tide. Fortunately, you remain rewarded back to between AD500 and AD900. Woodland leads to and St with fine views to the shore. Keep an The path then follows the old railway David’s Harbour. From here the path eye out for the monument marking the line into ahead of your hugs the coastline to Dalgety Bay. Once place where Alexander III died in 1286. arrival at the golden sands of Leven Links. a fishing village the old Dalgety Bay made way for the new town in the Beyond Kinghorn on to you 1960’s. All that remains of the old town walk through coastal grassland. Leven to is the ruin of St Bridget’s Kirk. In Rockrose, agrimony and wild clary all Leven and Shell Bay are linked by the summer, terns can be observed plunge grow here. Many rocks here are the sandy shores of Largo Bay. A beautiful 7 mile stretch of beach punctuated in the diving for fish in the bay. Eyes are product of lava flows following the drawn out to Inchcolm Island with its eruption of the Binn Hill volcano around middle by the pretty village of Lower 12th century Abbey before turning 300 million years ago. Layers of Largo. Sanderlings, oystercatchers, inland and on to . limestone sit beneath the lava flows curlews and ringed plovers can all be and hold fossils of sea life from a time enjoyed along this stretch of coast. As can common seals and the larger, Beyond Hawkcraig Point and the when Scotland, then at the Equator, expansive Silversands Bay there is more had a tropical climate. ‘roman nosed’ grey. If you’re fortunate, woodland. This stretch is popular with you may even catch a glimpse of botanists and bird watchers and is Leaving Kirkcaldy behind you reach the bottlenose dolphins. The path skirts the home to the impressive Starley Burn picturesque village of Dysart, whose sands and is bordered with wildflowers such as purple milk vetch, rest harrow Falls. Once out the woods, a short history dates back to beginning of section of urban walking leads to Christianity in Scotland. At the foot of and lady’s bedstraw. Burntisland. Look out for the seals

From Shell Bay the path climbs a series Heading first for , the path follows places and occasionally muddy. Wading of raised beaches to Kincraig, the rough, grassy shoreline which is birds are common here. Eider and illustrating the varying sea levels uneven in places with some rocky sometimes shelduck can be seen. through the ages. From here you are stepping-stones to negotiate. Best then Knapweed, campions and vetches rewarded with stunning views of to stop and stand still as you look out to provide colour. Although rough underfoot in places this stretch of coast Earlsferry Bay and beyond. Elie to the . Consider having a rest is both beautiful and fascinating. Look Anstruther proves great walking over day here and take a boat trip out to the out for the impressive pink sandstone island. the grassy links with plenty of sites of Buddo Rock and the Rock and Spindle interest. Elie Ness Lighthouse and by St Andrews Bay. Sauchar Point Watch Tower both Midway between Anstruther and Crail deserve time spent there. Onwards and are the fascinating Caiplie Caves. St Andrews to Newport-on-Tay the path turns a little rougher as you Eroded over time by weather and sea, Your first five miles or so out of St approach Ardross Castle and beyond the caves were once part of a sea cliff. Andrews to Guardbridge are on road. Take care if observing them as several there Newark Castle ahead of the The walking here is easy and the views years ago one of the smaller caves village of with its panoramic over the Eden Estuary, collapsed without warning. This magnificent windmill. abundant with birdlife. From boulder-strewn coast is awash with Guardbridge you turn back to the coast wildflowers and shrubs providing cover Out from St Monans and only and soon you’re on the open and wild for nesting birds such as whitethroat expanse of Earlshall Muir before stands between you and and sedge warbler. Anstruther, but take your time, there’s entering Tentsmuir Forest. Boardwalks help you across the wet flushes of the much to see. In Particular St Fillan’s Take time to savour Crail harbour Cave. Thought to be where St Fillan muir. Look out for dragonflies, before following a mixed terrain of damselflies, butterflies, birds and bees. lived whilst converting the Picts to tarmac roads and rocky shoreline as Christianity in the 7th century. The forest is home to red squirrels, roe you head for . Kilminning deer, crossbill and woodpeckers. Wildlife Reserve with its migratory birds Emerge from the woods to Anstruther to St Andrews is a highlight of this section. At low tide Please note there are tidal points Heath and clear views over the Kingsbarns beach will provide plenty of saltmarsh. between Crail and St Andrews were you wildlife interest also. may have to wait until the tide recedes From Tayport, the disused railway line, and the path is clear. Please check tide From here the walk to St Andrews is now a tarmac cycleway leads you along times before setting off. along a lonely stretch of coast, rough in

the of Tay towards your St Andrews individual accommodation maps. To destination Newport-on-Tay. Two Add an extra day to savour St Andrews. view train times please lovely little lighthouses, now private Famous for its many golf courses, visit qjump where you can also homes, can be admired from the path. including the Old Course, with the purchase tickets in advance. For Back into mature woodland for a time landmark Swilcan Bridge at the 18th information on bus timetables please before emerging to open countryside hole. You can learn all about the history visit traveline If you require secure car and the Tay Road Bridge takes of the game at The British Golf parking whilst walking this route, prominence. Museum. please contact us for information.

The Bridge marks the end of your Fife Take time to explore the ruins of St Getting There: Coast Path Adventure. All that remains Andrews Castle, with its medieval By Air: The nearest International is to head to your accommodation for a bottle dungeon. Not too far from the Airport is Edinburgh International. well-earned rest. castle is the , Buses regularly depart for North founded in 1413. The Museum of the Queensferry. Additional Days University of St Andrews (MUSA) By Public Transport: There are direct We can arrange extra nights at any of displays thousands of artefacts, trains from Edinburgh Waverly to the overnight stops, allowing for rest including medieval maces and stained North Queensferry. days, or giving you more time to glass, and covers student life through By Road: North Queensferry is explore the locality. We recommend the ages. Remaining with architecture, located on the M90, north of the Elie and St Andrews: the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, built Bridge. If between the 12th and early 14th travelling from the south, take the centuries is well worth a visit. M74 towards Glasgow and leave at Elie junction 5 for the M8. Take the M9 If sandy beaches are your thing, then until the M90 towards / why not reward yourself with a rest day Perth. Continue on the M90 over the at Elie? Situated at the eastern half of a Getting There and Away Queensferry Crossing Bridge until the mile long south-facing sandy bay, Elie is B981 leading into North Queensferry. a lovely location to relax and recharge. General travel information for the Fife The town itself is charming and a Coastal Path will be in your holiday pleasure just to potter around and pack. Detailed instructions on getting Leaving from Newport-on-Tay: enjoy a pot of tea! Just a mile inland is to your first night’s accommodation By Public Transport: There is a train the pretty village of Kilconquhar whose by car, or on foot from the nearest station at Dundee with frequent train or bus station, will also be loch is a site of special scientific services to Edinburgh Waverly. interest. included in the holiday pack on Regular buses are available from

Newport-on-Tay to Dundee train part of a walk if you don’t have the of your trip you might stay in a village station. time to complete the entire distance. inn, a bed and breakfast in a converted barn, a Victorian guest How our holidays work How to Book house, and on a working farm. We specialise in self-guided walks Once you have decided which holiday We always try to arrange en suite because we think it’s the best way to you wish to book, please fill in the accommodation, i.e. rooms with their form at the back of this brochure really experience local landscapes, own bathrooms, for each night of which can then be emailed, posted or cultures and history. You walk under your stay. However, in some of the faxed to us. We will get in touch with your own steam, at your own pace, more remote locations you once we have received your safe in the knowledge that we have accommodation is limited and booking to confirm your holiday organised everything, and help is only occasionally we may have to book details. a phone call away. We book all your rooms with shared bathrooms for one

or two nights of your holiday, accommodation, move your luggage Alternatively, you can either book (especially if the booking is made at between overnight stops, provide you online using our website at short notice), but we will always let with maps and guidebooks and all the www.mickledore.co.uk or telephone you know if this is likely to be the details you need for a successful us during office hours. case. holiday. You just turn up and walk!

Single Rooms We are happy to book Accommodation Inbuilt Flexibility single rooms on this walk but cannot Our holidays are designed to be Good accommodation and friendly normally book more than two for any flexible and can therefore be tailored hosts are an essential part of any one group. Single room bookings to suit your requirements. If you’re holiday. We understand this and go include a supplement. looking for something different, or out of our way to find the best. We extra, from the holidays described put a great deal of effort into hand What We Provide here, give us a ring and we’ll do our picking our accommodation and best to please. matching it to individual customer All Holidays You can start on any day you like and requirements. In selecting the Accommodation Overnight Bed and we can arrange extra nights at any of accommodation, we look for helpful, Breakfast accommodation in selected the overnight stops allowing for rest friendly hosts with good quality, hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest days, or giving you more time to characterful accommodation close to houses and family B&Bs. explore the locality. You can book the trail. For example, over the course Full English or Continental breakfast. part of a walk if you don’t have the time to complete the entire distance.

Guidebook A guidebook with route a small day sack with the clothes and Transport to the start & away from information, maps, photos and provisions you require during the the finish Taxi or bus transport if you background information. day’s walk. We ask you to limit your need to miss a stage (but we’ll help Information of Services Along the luggage to one bag per person, up to you organise it if you need help) Route A comprehensive service Info 18kg. Travel Insurance Even if you are sheet, including services such as cash Packed Lunches Provided for each based in the UK travel insurance is points, banks, post offices, village day’s walking and recommended on worth having. shops, inns, cafés and taxis. this holiday as there will not always Maps 1 waterproof 1:40000 Harvey be a handy shop or café on the route. Prices map covering the whole route. Off Road Parking If you are travelling Detailed prices for all our holidays are Personal Itinerary A personal by car we can usually arrange off road available on the website. itinerary setting out each overnight parking for the duration of your trip. www.mickledore.co.uk. stop, including large scale maps of (There may be a small charge for each accommodation, to ensure you this). find it easily. Arrangement of return transport We Emergency Telephone Support If you About Mickledore can also arrange your transfer back to get in to difficulties during your Mickledore Travel is based in Keswick holiday, we are always available to your car, (or advise you when public at the heart of the English Lake help, even out of office hours. transport is a better option!) District. We are one of the leading

15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors specialists in self-guided walking and We will issue you with a 15% Discount What’s not included cycling holidays in the UK, and Card valid at all Cotswold Outdoor provide a friendly, professional and Evening Meals Your evening meal stores, and online, for the whole year flexible service. isn’t included in the package, but we We are walkers and cyclists ourselves, on confirmation of your booking. include full details and so it really matters to us that you Options recommendations for each evening have a good holiday. We are still a Luggage Transport We will transfer meal in your itinerary. You will small business, with a lot of local your luggage between each overnight normally be within walking distance knowledge, and personal enthusiasm for the outdoors. If you’ve got any stop – leave your luggage at the of a pub and/or restaurant, or where queries, we’re always happy to help, accommodation when you set off in there is good food available at the so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone the morning, it will be moved on to accommodation, we’ll book that for or drop us an email, or call in and see you. Allow about £20.00 per night. your next B&B. You only need to carry us if you’re in Keswick.

We specialise in UK holidays, and by - 100% financial protection – in the very AITO Quality Statement concentrating on what we consider unlikely event of Mickledore’s Mickledore Travel is a member of the the best routes, we get to know the financial failure, you receive a full Association of Independent Tour trails, accommodation, and local area refund. Operators. The Association represents intimately. Britain’s leading independent tour

Financial Protection operators. It promotes high levels of - All your accommodation has been Your payments are fully protected professionalism and a shared concern carefully selected and is regularly against our financial failure. We are for quality and personal service. The monitored. members of the Association of - We listen to you and tailor each Association encourages the highest Independent Tour Operators (AITO), standards in all aspects of tour holiday to meet your requirements. - We have an excellent level of and the Association of British Travel operating. customer service. Agents (ABTA). We have arranged - We have 15 years’ experience, and bonding through ABTA. This means Mickledore Travel abides by AITO’s very high levels of customer that in the unlikely event of our Code of Conduct and adheres to the satisfaction. Quality Charter which can be viewed financial failure, any monies you have - Peace of mind – help is only ever a at www.aito.com. Visit the website to paid to us will be refunded. This telephone call away. find out more about the Association - We’re all outdoor enthusiasts – we bonding is fully compliant with the or call 020 8744 9280. know what makes a good holiday, and Package Travel Regulations and

we want you to have one! provides 100% financial protection. - 15% discount card for all your outdoor equipment purchases from Cotswold Outdoors.

Our Itineraries Turn over for our booking form

North Queensferry to Newport-on-Tay - 81 miles/130 km

We offer 5 holidays on the Fife Coastal Path. Of those, 2 cover the whole route from North Queensferry in the south to Newport-on -Tay in the north. Choose from 5 or 6 days walking depending on how far you want to walk each day. North Queensferry to Newport-on-Tay in 5 days North Queensferry to Newport-on-Tay in 6 days

Walking Code: FC6 Walking Code: FC7

Mile km Mile km Day 1 Travel to North Queensferry for your first nights accommodation Travel to North Queensferry for your first nights accommodation

Day 2 North Queensferry to Burntisland 12 19 North Queensferry to Burntisland 12 19

Day 3 Burntisland to Leven 17 27 Burntisland to Leven 17 27

Day 4 Leven to Anstruther 15 24 Leven to Elie 9 14

Day 5 Anstruther to St Andrews 19 31 Elie to Crail 11 18

Day 6 St Andrews to Newport-on-Tay 18 29 Crail to St Andrews 14 23

Day 7 Depart from Newport-on-Tay after breakfast St Andrews to Newport-on-Tay 18 29

Day 8 Depart from Newport-on-Tay after breakfast

Fife Coastal Highlights Our 3 shorter routes each end at St Andrews. We have a 4 day walk beginning at Burntisland as well as 3 and 4 day walks beginning further along the coast at Leven. Each of these shorter routes enjoy a similar mix of terrain as experienced over the full route. Burntisland to St Andrews Leven to St Andrews Leven to St Andrews

51 miles/82km 34 miles/55km 34 miles/55km 4 days walking (5 nights) 3 days walking (4 nights) 4 days walking (5 nights)

Walking Code: FCB5 Walking Code: FCL4 Walking Code: FCL5 Mile km Mile km Mile km Day 1 Travel to Burntisland for your first nights Travel to Leven for your first nights Travel to Leven for your first nights accommodation accommodation accommodation Day 2 Burntisland to Leven 17 27 Leven to Elie 9 14 Leven to Elie 9 14

Day 3 Leven to Elie 9 14 Elie to Crail 11 18 Elie to Crail 11 18

Day 4 Elie to Crail 11 18 Crail to St Andrews 14 23 Crail to then transfer to 8 13 St Andrews Day 5 Crail to St Andrews 14 23 Depart from St Andrews after breakfast Transfer to Boarhills then walk to 6 10 St Andrews Day 6 Depart from St Andrews after breakfast Depart from St Andrews after breakfast