This is one of the major coastal paths in Scotland.  It was recommended by a pilgrim I met on the Great Glen Way, as the most beautiful long-distance walk in all of Scotland. It is a lovely, seaside route that takes you through a softer, greener landscape than you would find in the highlands.  This breakdown is just a suggestion; excellent public transit makes this easy to customise and very popular with day hikers. For a report on my walk, click here.

Itinerary

Day 1: Kincardine to Rosyth (27 km 13 mi)- Slip down from the street side to arrive on the path which follows the water, you go by a large power station and eventually, the lovely village of Culross, with its 17e  and 18e buildings – walk through the village instead of by the railway tracks. The limekilns in Limekilns are fantastic, but there is less to see going through Rosyth.

Day 2: Rosyth to Burntisland (23.3 km 15 mi) After Rosyth, arriving at Queensfairy is it’s own reward. The highlights of this day are fantastic bridges, interesting village centres (Inverkeithing, Aberdour) and views across the water to the familiar silhouette of Edinburgh.  There is quite of bit of walking through wealthy suburbs, which is only half-bad, since they are quiet.

Day 3 Burntisland to Buckhaven (24 km 15 mi) Good coast and-shore walking, if you check the tide times.  The actual route takes you through some of the towns and Ravenscraig Castle. Other highlights, Dysart Harbour, Wemyss Caves, and McDuff’s Castle

Day 4 Buckhaven to St. Monans (24 km 15 mi) More great shores, except for the first 2 k until Leven. Highlights are Lower Largo, home of the author of Robinson Caruso, the ‘chain walk’ after Kincraig Point, the pretty towns of Earlsferry and Elie and the wonderful St. Monans, a seaside fishing village with an original 13e century church.

Day 5 St. Monans to Crail (12 km 7.5 mi) – Coastal walking and more of East Neuk’s lovely fishing villages. Pittenweem is a little jewel, Anstruther a slightly busier touristy centre with a hostel, and Crail a village perched over the coast.

Day 6 Crail to St Andrews (22.5 m 14 mi) – Although considered ‘wild with few amenities’ after Fife Ness, this section follows the shore by miles of golf courses. There are genuinely unique rock formations, a deviation inland, and the arrival at St Andrews, a city rich with history.

Day 7 St Andrews – Newport-on Tay. (29 km 18 mi) After the first part of the walk, along the highway into the village of Leuchars, you are largely away from serious traffic until the end. Walks along farm fields, and through the forestry make the first part more land-based than previous days. The final section from Tayport to Newport on Tay, follows the coast once again.

Day 8 Newport-on-Tay to Newburgh (29 km 18 mi)  – This day is almost entirely inland, following small roads through rolling farmland, and forest tracks up th rough wooded hills. The final approach to Newburgh, across Lindores Hill, is magnificent, as is the route around the village along the shore.