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.
Walk | Grade | Length | 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 |