Tentsmuir Point - forest and dunes, near Leuchars

Explore the dunes of Tentsmuir Point nature reserve, a favourite spot for grey seals with pups often visible during the breeding season. The return is via a 19th century ice-house and through forest inhabited by red squirrels.

Terrain

Waymarked route through dunes, level forestry track.

Public Transport

None to start.

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Start

Tentsmuir Forestry Commission car park. Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.5km/3.25 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 5m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NO498242

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 371 - St Andrews
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Follow the signs from the B945 for Tentsmuir Forest to reach the car park beyond Kinshaldy. The car park is locked at night and there is a charge for entry. There are toilets (seasonal), picnic tables, BBQ area and a children's play area here. Follow the main path at the far end of the car park towards the sea. This leads onto the dune system separating the forest from the sea. This walk follows the blue waymarkers - using the shell symbol on the way out and a pine cone on the way back.

Stage 2

Once the dunes are reached turn left to head north on the waymarked seashell route. It is worth detouring to the beach to take in the seemingly endless sand and waves. However the layout of sands with flooded lagoons in between is constantly changing and to reach the beach you need to pick a careful route out and back. Do not, however continue along the beach for any great distance as a longer lagoon which is linked to the sea cuts off access to the northern part of beach.

Stage 3

Continue northwards following the seashell marker posts and keeping between the forest and the sea, passing a world war two pill box. Soon a sea water lagoon is reached which is a haven for migrating birds and you may well see eider duck, bar-tailed godwit, pink footed goose and shell duck amongst others. Eventually a gate leads to the nature reserve itself with an information board at the entrance. Dogs must be kept under tight control because of the danger to both seal pups and nesting birds.

Stage 4

The sands are used by both common and grey seals and during the breeding seaons pups can sometimes be seen on the sands (October to Dec for grey seal and June to July for common seal). Female seals can abandon their young if disturbed so do not approach the seals and keep dogs on leads. Continue through the dunes, and head inland slightly following the waymarkers through a marshy area of tree trunks before reaching a green metal observation hut on concrete stilts.

Stage 5

The path heads inland here following a clear grassy path through an area often grazed by cows, to reach a gate. Go through this and straight on to reach a clearing where there is a large barrel-roofed ice house on the right. This was built in the 1880's to store salmon which had been netted from the beach. Originally it would have much nearer the water, but the changing shape of the sands mean it is now inland. From here turn left onto a wide forestry track and follow the blue pine cone marker posts. Stay on the track, ignoring any turnings to the left and right. Go straight across at a crossroads and continue past a vehicle barrier. This part of the pine forest is home to red squirrels and you may well see them if you listen out for the scratching sound as they run up and down the trees. Soon the track returns to the car park at the start.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.