7-Day / 6-Night Moderate

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

After a possible train transfer in the morning (depending on the location of your overnight accommodation), there is an option to shorten the walk by starting from the pretty little fishing village of Kinghorn. The trail then heads north past the dramatic remains of Seafield Tower and into the town of Kirkcaldy. Continue on through Ravenscraig Park to Dysart Harbour, where we recommend a stop at the fascinating Visitor Centre and café in the old Harbourmaster’s House. From here, the hike enters a less attractive sections as it passes through urban areas affected by the decline of the local industries.

With its glorious sandy beaches and charming fishing villages you will love this section of the trail. Look out for the Robinson Crusoe statue in Lower Largo, home to Alexander Selkirk the real life inspiration for this 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 before the trail leads onward to St Monans and Pittwenweem. At the popular tourist village of Anstruther a visit to the Fisheries Museum is worthwhile and if you like fish & chips, be sure to stop in at the Anstruther Fish Bar – a past winner of the UK Fish & Chip Shop of the Year.

Continuing along the coast, you soon pass the Caiplie Caves, shortly before arriving at the quiet village of Crail. Pass 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.

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 the 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 Newport-on-Tay 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.