St Andrews and the East Neuk
The ports of the East Neuk of Fife were described by King James I as the Fringe of Gold to his beggars mantle of a country. The best known is the medieval town of St Andrews - not just the Home of Golf, but also the location of Scotland's most ancient university, and one of its best known beaches. North of St Andrews, the little-frequented easterly extension of the Ochils stretches across the area to almost reach the Firth of Tay, whilst the coast has the massive Tentsmuir Forest - a breeding place for grey seals.
The southern coastline - the East Neuk of Fife - is blessed with a whole string of truly picturesque fishing villages and towns. Crail, Anstruther, St Monans and Pittenweem - their harbours all linked by the Fife Coastal footpath - are a major draw for visitors today. Inland villages such as Ceres are equally attractive, packed with historic buildings, as are country towns such as Cupar.
Accommodation
| Walk | Grade | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Isle of May |
 | 4km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| St Andrews - Town and Gown walk |
| 5km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Kingsbarns and Cambo circuit |
| 5.25km | 1 - 2 hours |
| Tentsmuir Point - forest and dunes, near Leuchars |
| 5.5km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| St Monans - Pittenweem - Anstruther |
| 5.75km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Anstruther to Crail |
| 6.75km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| West Sands, St Andrews |
| 7.25km | 2 - 2.5 hours |
| Largo Law, from Upper Largo |
| 3.25km | 1.5 hours |
| Craighall Den circular, Ceres |
| 4km | 1.5 hours |
| The Rock and Spindle, from St Andrews |
| 4.75km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Birkhill Woods, Balmerino |
| 6.25km | 2 - 2.5 hours |
| Norman's Law, from Luthrie |
| 8.25km | 2.5 - 3 hours |
| Tay Bridge and Balmerino, from Wormit |
| 9km | 2 - 2.5 hours |
| Crail to Kingsbarns |
| 9.5km | 3 - 3.5 hours |
| Hill of Tarvit and Scotstarvit from Ceres |
| 10.25km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Kingsbarns to St Andrews |
| 13.5km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Lower Largo to St Monans |
| 14km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Fife Coastal Path |
|
183km | 11 stages |
FEATURE: Walk on...
Karen Thorburn writes of completing the Fife Coastal Path as her first long distance walk - and its personal significance.
"Three years ago, in March 2015, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arose to witness a 96% solar eclipse darken the skies over northern Scotland. My husband and I parked up behind Evanton before breakfast and began an hour-long ascent of Cnoc Fyrish. We quickly realised our idea wasn’t an original one..."
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FEATURE: In search of the perfect puffin
Ben Dolphin takes a trip to the Isle of May.
"An island measuring 1500 by 500 metres mightn’t be the first place that springs to mind when you’re looking for an afternoon’s cliff-top walking or one of the greatest natural spectacles in the British Isles, but stick with me..."
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Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.