10-Day / 9-Night Gentle

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to North Queensferry.

Your tour begins directly underneath the gigantic Firth of Forth railway bridge. Soon, you leave the hurtling trains behind you as the path heads eastwards, with wonderful views of Edinburgh and out to the Island of  Inchcolm, towards the splendid village of Aberdour.

From Aberdour, the path follows the coastline into Burntisland. A longer section along the road then leads you into the pretty little fishing village of Kinghorn – a nice place to stop for lunch. Afterwards, the trail heads north past the dramatic remains of Seafield Tower and into the town of Kirkcaldy.

Leaving Kirkcaldy, there’s a lovely trail through Ravenscraig Park that takes you all the way to Dysart Harbour. We recommend you visit the fascinating Visitor Centre and café in the old Harbourmaster’s House. From here, the hike enters one of its less attractive sections as it passes through urban areas affected by the decline of the local industries.

If you like glorious sandy beaches and charming fishing villages then you will love this section of the trail. On your way, look out for the Robinson Crusoe statue in Lower Largo, home to the real life inspiration of this famous fictional character.

At Elie Ness you can visit Lady Anstruther’s 18th century summer bathing house and a little further on the ruins of 13th century Newark Castle befor the trail leads onward to St Monans and Pittwenweem. Afterwards, you pass through the popular tourist village of Anstruther where a visit to the Fisheries Museum is worthwhile. And, if you’re feeling peckish, be sure to stop in at the Anstruther Fish Bar – a past winner of the UK Fish & Chip Shop of the Year.

Leaving Crail behind, you walk along a deserted coastline past a former airfield and the Kilmining Wildlife Reserve on your way to Fife Ness, the most easterly point on the trail, where the route turns west and the views change. On the way, you pass some superb golf courses, none better than Kingsbarns itself. This is quite a short hike – so you can take all the time you like to enjoy the wonderful surroundings.

Returning to the beach, the trail now crosses some remote and quite rugged terrain before arriving at Royal St Andrews. Widely considered to be the birthplace of the game of golf, this busy little town is the place where Prince William and Kate Middleton went to university and it also boasts fantastic cathedral and castle ruins.

Transfer to Leuchars in the morning. After passing a former Royal Air Force Base, the trail follows quiet tracks and roads into Tentsmuir Forest and National Nature Reserve. Look out for the Ice House in the middle of the forest. Fishermen once hauled ice all the way from Dundee to keep their fish fresh in this isolated, but safe location. Today, the ruins are home to nattering bats. Take the bus from Tayport back to St Andrews after your hike.

There are regular bus services from St Andrews to Edinburgh and onwards to Glasgow. Full details provided upon booking.