A Taste of the Fife Coastal Path

Arrive in the small village of Lower Largo. This ancient fishing village has a stunning beach and is most famous for being the birthplace of the 17th century castaway, Alexander Selkirk, who inspired Daniel Defoe to write Robinson Crusoe. Enjoy spectacular views across the Firth of Forth (the estuary of the River Forth) and take a stroll on the beach. Lower Largo is easy to reach from Edinburgh directly by bus or via Leven by train and bus or taxi. The journey takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. Accommodation: Overnight in a characterful upscale hotel overlooking the beach and harbour with award-winning restaurant.

Begin your walk on the Fife Coastal Path heading east. Leaving Lower Largo the trail traces the long arc of golden sand and shell-strewn Largo Beach before passing through a nature reserve and some ancient fortifications and Shell Bay, a sheltered cove. Continue to follow the coast path until you reach the harbour at Elie. Approaching Elie, views extend to the striking Elie Ness Lighthouse, perched on the rocky headland beyond. With its charming harbour, sandy beach, and historic inns, Elie is the perfect place to relax and soak in the coastal charm of Fife. Accommodation: Overnight in a stylish inn by the harbour, with sea views and an excellent restaurant with a focus on local, seasonal food. The inn has limited rooms, so if we are not able to secure accommodation here for you, we’ll arrange transfers and accommodation for a second night in Lower Largo or Anstruther.

Follow the signs for the Fife Coastal Path as you hike through the dunes and beach of East Elie Links and pass by the remains of 15th century Ardross Castle before passing a second ruin, Newark Castle. Explore these ancient buildings and then continue to follow the trail (low and high tide options) to St Monans. Pause to explore the harbour which retains a fishing fleet and continue your journey via the windmill and ancient salt pans at the edge of the village. A short distance later reach the pretty village of Pittenweem, which hosts an Arts Festival in August each year. Enjoy exploring the village and walk onwards via a golf course inland for a short time before arriving into the town of Anstruther where there is much to see and do. Celebrate your arrival with fish and chips. Accommodation: Stay 2 nights in a comfortable and stylish hotel centrally located by the harbour with a restaurant serving local seafood.

There is much to see and do in the harbour town of Anstruther, and our recommendation is to take a boat trip out to the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth. A National Nature Reserve, the Isle of May is 8km off the coast and is a special place well worth a visit. The island was refuge to Vikings and smugglers, and today is a protected reserve on account of the large number of seabirds that breed here including Fulmar, Shag, Eider, Gulls, Terns, Razorbill, Gannet and Puffin. A range of boat trip excursions are bookable locally or in advance. Further information will be provided when you book. A visit to the Scottish Fisheries Museum is also highly recommended, as is a stop by the RNLI lifeboat station. Or take a leisurely day browsing local shops and galleries, watching the colourful boats in the harbour as they set sail on fishing expeditions. You could even retrace your steps to Pittenweem or St Monans and return to complete your day with a quality “fish supper” from the award-winning (and favourite of Prince William and his family) Anstruther Fish Bar.

Depart Anstruther to rejoin the Fife Coastal Path today, passing by the adjoining harbour village at Cellardyke and the caves at Caiplie, once home to a hermit and a site of early Christian worship. Enjoy views out to the Isle of May and the Bass Rock and across the Firth to North Berwick. Arrive in the beautiful fishing village of Crail and spend some time exploring the narrow cobbled streets and the historic harbour. Enjoy an ice cream, visit the local heritage centre, browse local galleries and the famous Crail pottery. After your explorations, transfer to St Andrews via the convenient and low-cost local bus which runs hourly and takes just 30 minutes. St Andrews is world-famous as the home of golf, and we will arrange for you to take a guided walking tour of the “Old Course”, a great way to soak up the history of the centuries-old fairways without having to pay the exclusive rates to secure a tee. Spend the evening exploring the medieval streets and the ancient university where Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, met Kate Middleton. Visit the remains of St Andrews Cathedral, once the large in Scotland, and enjoy dinner in one of the town’s excellent eateries. Accommodation: Overnight in a comfortable townhouse hotel in the centre of St Andrews.

Tour arrangements end after breakfast. You can spend further time exploring St Andrews independently or travel on to Dundee to visit the V&A museum and gallery (ask our team about adding transfers and extra nights). Alternatively you can return to Edinburgh by bus directly from St Andrews or take a short taxi ride to Leuchars from where you can connect to trains to Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness.