Hiking the Fife Coastal Path

1. The Fife Coastal Path stretches all the way from North Queensferry, just north of Edinburgh to Newport-on-Tay, close to Dundee
2. The Tay River is the longest river in Scotland and originates on the slopes of Ben Lui (a munroe) in the Southern Highlands. 
3. One of the trail's highlights is St Andrews - known for the oldest university in Scotland with unique student traditions (from the May Dip to Raisin Monday shaving cream fights), as well as the Old Course golf course, and its cathedral ruins. 
4. If you love walking on coastal trail with stunning and spectacular views at every turn, this long-distance trail is for you. Opt to take on the challenging Elie Chain Walk (though it's less of a walk and more of a scramble). To attempt this you, will agility, a good head for heights, and perfect timing with the tide!
5. There are a multitude of hidden beaches, ancient fishing harbors, castles, such as Aberdour, Newark and St Andrew's. There's also a ton of wildlife to spot along the way such as grey seals, gannets, eider ducks, puffins and you may even spot a pod of dolphins if you are lucky.

There's plenty to see and do along the Fife Coastal Path, tracing Scotland's dramatic east coast from the Firth of Forth north to the Firth of Tay.

1) Take a wander next to one of the world's oldest golf courses: Simply called 'The Old Course' the Links stretch the length of West Sands Beach, a 2-mile-long strip of white sand, and double-back to St Andrews. Incredibly, golf was first played here in the 15th century!

2) Elie Ness Lighthouse: Just outside of Elie on a spit of land jutting out into the North Sea sits Elie Ness Lighthouse at 11m (36 feet) in height. Designed by David Stevenson, cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson, and built in 1908. The lighthouse affords wonderful views over the surrounding coastline. 

3) Award-winning fish & chips: Enjoy a hearty lunch or dinner by the harbor in Anstruther and sample the locally renowned fish & chips. 

4) Explore Crail: Even if you aren't overnighting in Crail, it's well worth passing the village's pretty little harbor. Couple this with a visit to the Crail Pottery - a family business founded by potters Stephen and Carol in 1965 - to browse for a unique souvenir of your time in Fife.  

5) Savor a delicious ice cream: Not just the reserve of sunny days, in Scotland ice cream is definitely acceptable in all weather! Even if it's raining we recommend a visit to Janetta's Gelateria in St Andrews (be prepared to get in line most days) to choose from a myriad of flavors of ice cream or sorbet. 

6) Visit St Andrews cathedral & castle: The university town of St Andrews abounds with unique student traditions and historic buildings. Some of the oldest, and most spectacular are the 12th century cathedral ruins and the crumbling castle overlooking East Sands Beach. 

7) Buddo Rock: Make sure you don't miss this strange sandstone rock formation just off the path between Crail and St Andrews, with it's pinky-orange hues and natural narrow archway. 

8) Visit the Dundee: Although technically just beyond the end of the FCP Dundee is a good onward travel point and is home to The RRS Discovery ship (that took Captain Scott and his crew to the Antarctic in 1912) and the new V&A Museum designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. 

Find the perfect Fife Coastal Pat trip to suit your activity level and available vacation time. These trips are great on their own or a wonderful add on if you are spending some time in Edinburgh. 

Fife Coastal Path Complete 8 Days – Our longest itinerary invites you to complete the trail at a pace of 8.5 – 18.5 miles per day. Great for regular walkers seeking to bag a Scotland Great Trail (National Trail).

Highlights of The Fife Coastal Path - Take in the most scenic sections of the trail over 6 days passing quaint fishing villages, sandy shores and delicious restaurants.

Fife Coastal Path Short Break - Take a quick transfer from Edinburg for a short break on the Fife Coastal path. Take in the east coast's spectacular scenery, fishing villages and long sandy beaches.

What is the best part of the Fife Coastal Path?
The section from Elie to Crail is particularly popular, featuring stunning coastal scenery, sandy beaches, and traditional fishing harbors.

How long is the Fife Coastal Path?
The full Fife Coastal Path is 117 miles (188 km), stretching from North Queensferry to the Firth of Tay.

Can you cycle the Fife Coastal Path?
While some sections are suitable for cycling, the majority of the path is designed for walkers.

Where is Fife, UK?
Fife is a historic region in eastern Scotland, located between Edinburgh and Dundee, and home to the famous town of St Andrews.

At Macs Adventure, we specialize in self-guided hiking tours, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience.

• Thoughtfully Designed Itineraries – Explore at your own pace with carefully planned routes.
• Turn-by-Turn GPS Navigation – Use our award-winning Macs Adventure app for navigation and local insights.
• Comfortable Accommodation – Stay in charming B&Bs, guesthouses, and inns, with breakfast included.
• Luggage Transfers – Travel light while we transfer your bags to your next destination.
• Expert Local Insights – Benefit from our Scotland-based team’s knowledge and downloadable guidebooks.
  
  

Book Your Fife Coastal Path Adventure Today!