Crail Airfield Circular Walk

This airfield circular walk from Sandcastle Cottage is suitable for all ages offering spectacular coastal scenery, local history and wildlife. 

Recommendations for this walk

The walk is approximately 2.5 miles, along easy walking paths and suitable for all ages. A pair of stout shoes or walking trainers are sufficient as the paths are generally good and not muddy. A good pair of binoculars and a camera are recommended. I would also take a Mars Bar and a flask of coffee for the half way stage.

Airfield Circular Walk from Roome Bay to Kilminning

Start the walk by walking down the beach path from Sandcastle Cottage towards Roome Bay. You will find the 16th Century Doocot on your right which has recently been restored by Crail Preservation Society. At the bottom of the beach path turn right and proceed along the coastal path passed the children’s play area. Here you will find a range of seabirds, Eider Ducks, Oyster Catchers, Sanderlings, Redshanks and maybe if you are lucky seals and dolphins. As you leave Roome Bay don’t forget to look back when you reach the viewpoint at the other end of the bay. You will be treated to a great view over Crail.

view over Roome Bay from Sandcastle Cottage
The start of the beach path from Sandcastle Cottage to Roome Bay
circular walk
Don’t forget to look back Roome Bay and Crail

Proceed along the path towards Sauchope Links Caravan Park. Walk through the caravan park to the end following the signs for the Fife Coastal Path until you reach a gate and a sign marked Kilminning Nature Reserve. Go through the gate and look for a path going up a small incline towards the car park at the top. There you will find an information board and a seat. Sit rest for a while and admire the view out to sea towards the Isle of May. It could be time for a Mars Bar, Sandwich or a cup of tea or coffee (if you have brought a flask).

Kilminning Nature Reserve is now own and managed by Crail Community Partnership. There is a pond at the top of the path (below) which is under construction and will hopefully attract wildlife in the near future.

circular walk
Time for a pit stop to admire the view
circular walk
Here is just some of the wildlife to look out for on this walk

Walk from Crail Airfield back to Crail

You are now refreshed and ready for the next part of the walk. Proceed through the car par and along the tarmac road. You will soon see Crail Airfield on your left. This was the former HMS Jackdaw a naval air station during the second world war. Torpedo attack planes flew from here. Stop at the end of the runway and imagine the planes roaring down the runway and flying directly over your head on their way out to sea. The old hangers and many of the buildings are still in use today. This is unfortunately private land so please do not try to climb over the fence into the airfield.

The airfield was first opened in 1918 as a training base for the Royal Flying Corps. However at the end of the First World War the airfield was no longer needed and was ploughed up a year later.

In 1939 the airfield was resurrected and became a training base for the Fleet Air Arm. The population of Crail doubled during this period of operation between 1940-47.Approximately 3000 people were stationed at Crail during World War 11.

The base was home to 785 Squadron flying Swordfish Torpedo Bombers which were involved in sinking the Bismark. Other aircraft based at Crail included Baracudas, Aircobras, Walruses, Sea Hurricanes and Hampdens. Some of these aircraft took part in the sinking of the Tirpitz in Norway in 1944. Hampdens were known as potato mashers, flying suitcases or sardine cans due to their unusual shape and difficulty in baling out.

After the war the base became HMS Bruce a base for training naval recruits between 1947-49 and a transit camp for the Black Watch soldiers before being sent overseas between 1952-55. Finally Crail aerodrome was used as a Russian language school before it closed in 1960.

There are organised tours of the airfield during the summer months. Details of which you can find by visiting Crail Museum and Heritage Centre in Marketgate. There is a whole section of the museum dedicated to the airfield. All the exhibits and photographs have been donated by the people who served there during the war.

circular walk
Crail Airfield HMS Jackdaw. Stand and imagine the torpedo planes flying overhead
circular walk
The old hangers are still in use today

Proceed up the road until you reach the main road to Fife Ness and Crail Golfing Society. Take a left and walk back towards Crail. At this point there is no pavement so beware of oncoming traffic. Walk on the grass verge until you come to a pavement on your left a few yards down the road at the entrance to the airfield. Walk back into Crail until you reach Kirk Wynd on your left and back to Sandcastle Cottage.

Kirkwynd Crail
Follow the road down Kirk Wynd and back to Sandcastle Cottage

I hope you enjoy this airfield circular walk as much as I do. I have done this circular walk many times and have always found something different to see.

If you would like to find out more about the many walks you can do in the area. See our walking page Walks around Crail.

Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail

If you would like to find out more about staying at Sandcastle Cottage click on this link. Or if you want to go ahead and book click on the book now button below.

We look forward to welcoming you to Sandcastle Cottage.

book it

Anything to add?