Dreel Burn Circular Walk starts at the Dreel Tavern in High Street Anstruther and takes the walker out to the fields and open countryside at the back of Anstruther. It then follows the track of the old railway line to Pittenweem. The return walk takes the Fife Coastal Path back to Anstruther. Length of route is 3.5 miles.
By Car
The the A917 from Crail to Anstruther is only a ten minute drive. You can park for free all day in the car park off St Andrews Road. Take a right at the mini roundabout, drive up St Andrews Road and a left at the next mini roundabout, then right before you get to Gray & Pringles Hardware Store. There are two electric charging points for those who drive electric cars.
By Bus
The 95 bus is an hourly service from Crail. There is a bus stop on High Street just past the Dreel Tavern. See Stagecoach 95 timetable
Dreel Burn Circular Walk – Start
The walk starts at the side of the Dreel Tavern on Anstruther High Street. Take the path down to the burn. When we walked this route the start was a bit overgrown with nettles on either side. If you have read some of my previous walks you will know that I am not a fan of wearing shorts for walking. These days you just cannot be too careful with the threat of Lyme Disease. This year I picked up a rather nasty tick bite on my leg which resulted in a trip to the doctor and a course of antibiotics.
Follow the gravel path over the first bridge across the burn. We met a guy looking to photograph a Kingfisher. We didn’t spot any Kingfishers but he assured us that there were Kingfishers in the area. The next bridge leads to a grassy area. The bridge in front of you is the bridge which took the East Neuk Railway Line over the Dreel from Anstruther Station and onwards round the coast to Leven. The line fell victim to the Beeching Cuts and closed on the 6th of September 1965.
Climb the steps up to the cycle path and follow the path past the childrens play area on the left. there are a few seats and picnic tables where you can stop and admire the view out toward the open countryside. The hill you see is Kellie Law which is the subject of another one of my walks. To find out more about this walk click this link.
Continue along the tarmac path out of Anstruther. Steps and a right turn takes you up and over another bridge. Follow the right of way sign along the farm road with cottages facing you.When you reach the cottages take a left and follow the road past a doocot on your right. The path then follows the side of a field with the old railway line on your right. Follow the grassy track until you reach another path which takes you into Pittenweem..
Continue down the road past Pittenweem Fish House on your right toward the main road. Cross the road and continue down Marygate. The first church you come to is St John’s Scottish Episcopal Church. The road swings to the left into Pittenweem High Street and Pittenweem Church with the large steeple on the left.
We stopped for lunch at the Cocoa Tree Cafe
Dreel Burn Circular Walk – Return to Anstruther
After lunch at the Cocoa Tree we headed down Cove Wynd at the side of the church toward the harbour. Half way down Cove Wynd you will find St Fillans Cave.
St Fillan’s Cave
According to legend St Fillan was an Irish missionary who came to Fife in the 7th Century. He was a hermit and lived in the cave in the village named after him. Pittenweem means “place of the cave”. He wrote and prayed in the cave by means of a light which glowed from his left arm.
If you would like to visit the cave you can pick up keys from the Cocoa Tree (£5 refundable deposit)
Pittenweem is one of the few harbours left with an active working fishing fleet and a fish market. It is worth spending some time walking round the harbour. The small shop at the far end stocks Janetta’s Ice Cream.
Dreel Burn Circular Walk – Fife Coastal Path to Anstruther
Proceed up Abbey Wall Road following the signs for the Fife Coastal Path. At the grassy area at the top of Abbey Wall you get some great views out over the Firth of Forth toward the Isle of May, the Bass Rock, and Berwick Law. Follow the path along the back of houses on the left and down toward Anstruther Golf Course. The stone steps can be slippery so take care. Follow the path at the side of the golf course taking care to avoid flying golf balls. Walk on past the Billow Ness Beach and the clubhouse and proceed along Shore Road and left into Crichton Street. The top of the road brings you back into High Street.
The Dreel Tavern is on your right and the end of the walk.
I do hope you enjoy this walk. We found it easy going with no steep climbs
The Cocoa Tree Cafe Pittenweem
Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail
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