Cameron Reservoir Circular Walk

Cameron Reservoir circular walk will take you approximately 2 hours partly through woodland with splendid views across the reservoir and open countryside. Easy walking over well trodden paths.

Cameron Reservoir Circular Walk – How to get there:

This is less than half an hour by car from Crail. The drive takes you along quiet country roads, past farms and small hamlets. There is also a superb view over the East Neuk, the Firth of Forth and the Isle of May on the way back to Crail.

Cameron Reservoir how to get there

From Crail take the B940 (this is the first road on the left just outside Crail on the St Andrews road signposted Cupar). Continue on this road until you come to another road junction with red brick war time buildings on the left. At the road junction take a right and then immediately left following the signs for Peat Inn. When you reach the next road junction take a right and head back toward St Andrews. The road will take a bend to the right and then a sharp bend to the left through the hamlet of Cameron. Look for the signpost on the left marked Cameron Reservoir. Follow the rough tract past the old church on the left and continue to the car park at the reservoir.

Cameron Reservoir

Cameron Reservoir was completed in 1911 and was, for many years, the main fresh water supply for St Andrews. The reservoir covers an area of 68.7 hectares (170 acres) making it the largest area of freshwater in North East Fife.

Today the reservoir no longer provides fresh drinking water. Instead the area attracts a great many species of waterfowl, song birds, animals and is a favourite spot for walkers, cyclists and anglers.

It is also a “Ramsar” site recognised internationally for its importance for wetland birds. Cameron is an important roosting site for pink-footed geese although numbers have declined in recent years.

Cameron Reservoir
Looking back over the reservoir from the path

St Andrews Angling Club

Cameron Reservoir is a popular trout fishery and home to the St Andrews Angling Club. The club lease the reservoir from Scottish Water and offer fly only fishing from both boat and bank.

The reservoir is stocked annually with Brown and Rainbow Trout.

For details on permits and fishing click this link.

Cameron Reservoir Circular Walk

The walk around the reservoir is 2.3 miles (3.75 km). From the car park we started on the north path through a small metal gate. The path is easy and well surfaced. I always encourage the use of suitable footwear, boots or stout walking shoes. However on a good dry day a pair of trainers would be sufficient.

The paths have been kept back from the waterside so as to reduce the disturbance to the wild fowl. At the end of the track at the halfway point you are treated to a splendid view across the water. We stopped for lunch and enjoyed the quiet peaceful setting. A pair of binoculars were an added bonus as we were able to spot swans, geese, moorhens and ducks.

Cameron Reservoir West End
The bank at the west end of the reservoir where we stopped for lunch and admired the view
Swans on Cameron Reservoir
Swans on the water

After lunch we followed the way markers back along the south side of the reservoir. This path is not surfaced but we found it to be a good walking path through a wooded area. Here we came across a number of different species of butterfly, songbirds and the highlight of the walk two Roe Deer.

Peacock Butterfly
Peacock Butterfly
Path on the southside
Path on the southside of the reservoir
Small Copper Butterfly
Small Copper
Roe Deer at Cameron
Roe Deer

If you are looking for an easy walk in a quiet place away from the crowds then I would certainly recommend this walk.

We hope you have enjoyed reading our blog. If you are looking for more ideas for walks in the area then click the link below which will take you to our walks page

Sandy & Susan’s Walks

Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail

Alternatively if you are looking to spend some time walking in the area you may like to check out Sandcastle Cottage by clicking the link below.

Sandcastle Cottage Crail Look

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Blog update January 2024

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