Fife Pilgrim Way: 6 Ceres to St Andrews

Summary

The final stage of the Fife Pilgrim Way passes through very rural countryside. Starting from the beautiful village of Ceres, it climbs over the flanks of Drumcarrow Craig, before descending to Craigtoun Country Park and finally on through the beautiful streets of St Andrews to reach the ultimate destination - the ruined Cathedral.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Farm tracks, minor roads, woodland paths and pavements.

Getting there

Start

Bog Well car park, Ceres.

Public Transport

Buses serve both Ceres and St Andrews.

Start Grid Ref

NO400114

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15.7km / 9.75 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 190m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorers 370 and 371

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

The stage starts at the Bog Well car park in Ceres. Begin by heading over the picturesque 17th century cobbled bridge, known as the Bishop's Bridge. On the far side turn left, passing the buildings of the excellent Fife Folk museum - note the carving of scales on the Weigh House. Turn right as you reach the museum to head along Castlegate, with rows of old stone cottages. When this meets Anstruther Road cross it, then bear left along Schoolhill, keeping alongside the cottages on your right. Continue to the end of Schoolhill, then head through the pedestrian gate onto a footpath between fields.

Stage 2

Soon the path meets a grassy farm track coming in from your right - keep straight ahead onto this. At a junction with a larger farm track coming in from the left, again go straight ahead. This track later bends right - keep ahead here onto a grassy track once more, heading into the trees. Beyond the trees the track forks - take the right branch, now on a footpath once more. The path leads through a pedestrian gate and through more woodland, soon with a track joining in from the right. Look out for a waymarker post indicating where to turn left, taking a path along the edge of a field, with trees on your right.

Stage 3

After another pedestrian gate the path meets a farm track - turn right along this. It soon reaches a tarmac road - turn left along this briefly, then immediately after a bridge turn right onto the Kinninmonth track, signed as a right of way to Ladeddie. Follow this track through the farm at Kinninmouth, and past the row of workers cottages beyond. The track now climbs up Kinninmonth Hill, with lovely expanding views over the fertile countryside for the next 1.6km.

Stage 4

Eventually the track meets a minor road at a bend - keep straight ahead onto this. The road passes the buildings at Ladeddie and Drumcarro, keeping below the mast on the summit of Drumcarrow Craig; this can be reached by a short detour if you wish. Otherwise continue to a junction with a larger road, and keep straight ahead on this. At the next road junction, after 500m, turn right - signed for Denhead.

Stage 5

This road leads past the cottages at Denhead. Beyond these, look out for a footpath sign (for Craigtoun Park and St Andrews) at a gap in the wall on your right. Go through the gap, then take the path to the left through the trees. This keeps parallel to the road initially before curving to the right, with St Andrews Bay seen in the distance to your left. Soon the path comes alongside the Duke's Golf Course, on your right. Continue along the narrow path through the trees until it meets a surfaced path at a turning area. Bear right up this path to the edge of the golf course, then turn left along the tarmac path. When this reaches a tarmac driveway turn right along it.

Stage 6

Pass the various car parks of the golf course, following signs for Craigtoun Country Park. The route then turns left - signed for St Andrews and the Cathedral - as the road bends right. Follow the path to the left through the country park. Continue ahead, ignoring the stone gateway on your right, but taking the next right turn after this - signed for the toilets and adventure playpark. Follow the path as it curves right, soon reaching the cafe and other country park buildings. Immediately after the ticket office and shop turn left onto a path that soon bends back right, passing along the edge of the formal gardens. Continue ahead until you meet a t-junction with a hedge ahead, then turn left here.

Stage 7

Keep straight ahead at the next junction, then turn right at another hedge, then left at a footpath sign for St Andrews via Craigtoun and Lumbo Dens. Den is a local word for a wooded dell alongside a burn; follow the path down Craigtoun Den, going straight across when it meets a tarmac driveway. After another 750m the path meets a minor road at Lumbo; again go straight across, now on a path that keeps above Lumbo Den. This climbs above the trees and then descends once more; do not cross the footbridge, instead going through the pedestrian gate on your left. Keep on the wooded path with housing estates off to your left. When you meet a surburban road go straight across. Ignore a footbridge and continue ahead until you reach a mill pond, with the old Law Mill building on your right.

Stage 8

Pass the mill and cross a stone bridge, then turn right on the far side, keeping the Kinness Burn on your right. This path through the Lade Braes now leads you into St Andrews. Ignore a footbridge off right, instead keeping through the woods by the burn. At one point you pass a cottage on your right; beyond this, keep right to return near the burn, but again do not cross the footbridge. At a fork ignore the path that leads down by the water, staying on the main path. After passing above Cockshaugh Park, the path reaches a road with houses and flats. Cross this to continue along Lade Braes Walk. Keep right at a junction to continue along this pedestrian walkway, with many lovely old houses. Keep straight ahead across Viaduct Walk, and emerge on the main road a short distance beyond.

Stage 9

Turn left here, then right through the West Port Gate, built in 1587 as a monumental entrance to the city’s South Street - one of three medieval streets which all converge on the Cathedral. Continue along South Street, which has many fine old buildings, interesting shops and cafes. After 450m look out for an archway on the right side, adjacent to Parliament Hall - this leads into one of the University's most beautiful quadrangles. The Pilgrim Way, however, continues ahead all the way to the end of South Street, then turns left. The route ends at the gateway to the ruins of the Cathedral, on your right. This once housed the relics of St Andrew and was one of the largest in Europe. The relics were lost when John Knox visited following a fiery sermon; the Cathedral was then abandoned. For a fitting finale, continue beside the wall along the far edge of the Cathedral to visit the site of the original St Mary's Church, with the town's harbour and pier beyond.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?