Fife Coastal Path 2: North Queensferry to Burntisland

Summary

The second section of the Fife Coastal Path starts at the iconic Forth Rail Bridge and alternates between rural coastal scenery and settlements including Aberdour with its art galleries, harbour and sandy beach. The stage finishes at Burntisland where there is accommodation, shops, places to eat, and bus and train connections back to the start.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Clear coastal path, roads with pavements.

Getting there

Start

North Queensferrry.

Public Transport

Train and bus to North Queensferrry and Burntisland.

Start Grid Ref

NT131805

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 18.5km / 11.5 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 248m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

This stage starts from the centre of the small settlement of North Queensferry, where there is a rail station and good bus service. The village takes its name from ferry set up by Queen Margaret in the 11th century to travel between Dumfermline and Edinburgh Castle. There is also a free car park on Battery Road, next to the water, almost under the rail bridge (locked each night between 6.30pm and 9am). The walk begins at the Waterloo Monument at the junction of Main Street (B981) and Old Kirk Road, opposite the Ferrybridge Hotel. From the train station turn right then left downhill to the start, from the car park walk along Battery Road and turn right onto Main Street. The monument is a stone gable end with a carving of a ship dated 1816, behind it is the Waterloo well, used as a watering stop for horses undertaking stagecoach journeys. The well was the only one in the village and the iron plate above it depicts a fishwife arguing with a sailor, who both would have needed to use the water supply. Next to the well is a plaque for the start of the long distance trail, head up the path, keeping on the main path, soon reaching Carlingnose Point which has excellent views back over the rail bridge and is a wildlife reserve.

Stage 2

Continue through the old quarry, keeping right at a fork to stay on the main path. Note the 'Grand Designs'-style house perched above the rockface. The area provides a lime-rich grassland habitat for rare plants such as Field Gentian and Bloody Cranesbill. Fulmar and other seabirds nest on the cliffs and it is sometimes possible to see whales in the Firth of Forth although sightings of grebes, other divers, and sea ducks are more likely. When the path splits keep right to head downhill to the sandy beach at Port Laing. Across Inverkeithing Bay the houses of Dalgety Bay can be seen. Keep dogs under tight control as the path heads through scrubland before emerging on a lane and passing in front of a few houses.

Stage 3

The route now heads inland around the industrial Inner Bay at Inverkeithing. Follow the path over a metal bridge and then between fences and around the side of an industrial site, keeping right at the gate to follow a road. At the junction keep right onto Ferryhills Road to pass under the railway bridge, turn right here to follow the pavement into Inverkeithing, passing under another bridge and past allotments on the right. The town centre has a range of shops, keep an eye out for the Mercat Cross on the right topped with a striking unicorn. Turn down Bank Street here soon continuing into Townhall Street and then King Street. Turn right onto Commercial Road and cross the Keithing Burn at Preston Crescent and follow the edge of the playing field to pick up the shared cycleway near East Ness pier.

Stage 4

Soon the surfaced track reaches the modern houses at St David's Bay with good views back to the Forth bridges. Keep close to the water to follow the path past a second bay and up to a road with slightly older houses, keep right here and soon turn onto a path passing Hopewood Point with views of Inchcolm island ahead. Descend through trees, eventually reaching a small area of pines known as Bathing House Wood on the edge of Donibristle Bay. Follow the grassy path at the back of the sandy bay and then head up the signed path to the left and turn right through an estate of large houses, keeping right at the next junction to pick up a surfaced path near the water's edge.

Stage 5

The path heads through the communal gardens of Donibristle House, built by the Earls of Moray who had the existing village near the site removed. The House is now divided into private properties and merged into the larger Dalgety Bay which was established as an 'enterprise town' in the sixties and today functions largely as a popular dormitory town for Edinburgh. Keep on the surfaced path and then the pavement passing the small harbour and sailing club on the right. After the residential road curves left look out for the path sign on the right and head between the houses to reach the shore of Dalgety Bay.

Stage 6

The path passes around the back of the Bay, keeping right at a junction. At the far end of the Bay the ruins of St Bridget's Church is reached. At least 850 years old it has some impressive decorative stonework and good views over the water. The church fell into disuse around 1830 when the local population moved north to the coal mine and a new church was built inland. The route now also heads inland on a tarmac track, to bypass the oil terminal on the coast, ignore the first turn on the right but take the second, signed one to head through trees and then open farmland. At a fork take the smaller path on the right, through an underpass and turn right onto a driveway leading to St Colme House. Keep left at the two junctions and continue to the golf course at Wester Aberdour.

Stage 7

At the far end of the golf course go through the metal gate and straight ahead on the pavement to pass the fine gates opposite the Woodside Hotel. Turn right here to the centre of Aberdour. Here there are a range of shops, cafes, pubs and art galleries as well as a castle, St Finnan's church, and Aberdour House. Turn right at Shore Road and bear left at the sea to reach the small harbour. Keep left on a raised path past the small gallery and follow the path round the inlet, over a footbridge and passing public toilets (seasonal opening) and up the right hand path towards Hawkcraig Point. At the first house, double back to pick up the stone steps which climb steeply to the headland. Cross this and descend towards the lighthouse. Turn left at the road to reach Silversands Bay.

Stage 8

The sandy beach here is lovely and deservedly popular all year round - take care for sifting soft sand at low tide. Pass the pavilion and pick up the path on the far side of the beach which runs alongside the railway line. The path goes under the railway and through the woods - look out for seals basking on the rocks just out to sea. There are good views across the water to Edinburgh with Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags prominent. Pass the waterfall and follow the track between fences and alongside a stone wall with Ross Point visible on the right. Follow the path past new housing. Keep ahead along the tarmac path, ignoring the old route that went right under the railway. Keep right at a path junction and continue until the road at the junction of Haugh Road and Kirkton Road. Turn right along Kirkton Road to a T junction, then turn left into High Street. Burntisland was once a prosperous sea port with a thriving ship building industry, it has recently undergone some redevelopment and has range of shops, cafes, pubs and places to stay, as well as a large sandy beach.

Next stage:Burntisland to East Wemyss

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