Kingdom of Fife

Long sections of the Fife Coastal Path can now be enjoyed by walkers and there are a variety of linear and circular routes which have been graded and waymarked, from which you can enjoy beautiful seacapes and spot spectacular wildlife such as grey seals, dolphins and maybe even the odd basking shark. For bird lovers the offshore islands of Inchkeith and Inchcolm are home to thousands of seabirds, including large numbers of Puffins in May.

In the northeast the gentle rolling hills of the hinterland extend eastwards to windswept cliffs, rocky bays and sandy beaches, where scenes from the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ were filmed. South down the coast a short distance is the ancient university town of St. Andrews, home to the world-famous Royal and Ancient golf club.

St. Andrews University was founded in 1410 and is Scotland’s oldest university town. The medieval town centre has narrow alleys and cobbled streets which lead to the now ruined cathedral and the church of St. Regulus, which has a spiral staircase leading to the top of a 108-foot tower, offering magnificent views over the town. There are also two great beaches, botanical gardens and an aquarium here.

South of St. Andrews the picturesque small stone harbour fishing villages of Crail, Anstruther, Piteenween and St Monans are all places to experience the un-hurried pace of life by the sea. Further round the coast there are a number of first class golf courses such as Elie and Leven Links, to name only two of more than forty golf courses in this region!

Southern Fife is dominated by Dunfirmline, Scotland’s former capital. The Forth Road and Rail Bridges over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh are the most distinctive landmarks on this stretch of coast and allow easy access to the capital for days out.