Sometimes, when walking the whole Fife Coastal Path, it’s necessary to walk little sections which join parts of the walk which have already been completed.
So it was today as I set off to complete the short section of the Fife Coastal Path (around 6 miles) between Leuchars and St Andrews. I decided to walk in this direction, towards St Andrews, as it was the time of the 2015 Open Golf Championships and I thought it would be good to see the views towards the golf courses as I walked. To start the walk, I parked in St Andrews (finding a free car parking space – result!), then walked to the St Andrews Bus Station and caught the Stagecoach 99 service to Leuchars Station, where we’d started our Leuchars to Tayport section earlier in the week.
From Leuchars Station, I picked up the fife coastal path signs and headed towards Guardbridge where the old paper mill has now started to house industry once again as the Eden.Mill distillery and brewery are now based there, and it’s possible to have tours of their facility. There are often tastings and special events too. It was a little early in the day for me!
The Coastal Path signs take you round the back of houses and parallel to the main road, bringing you out at the end of the village, and I ended up turning back to find the sign for the Eden Estuary Centre where there is a hide which is looked after by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, and which you may enter if you phone the Ranger to get the password for the key box. As the tide was full in and there didn’t seem to be much to see today, I kept going.
Traces of former bridges over the Eden are visible from the footbridge by the current bridge. The path continues along the side of the main road, sharing tarmac space with the cycle route. I found a detour to explore, marked Eden Estuary Local Nature Reserve, and spent a little while looking at the many meadow brown butterflies which I found there, as well as small birds and some seabirds offshore above the estuary.
Walking by the road was a bit of a slog though as the road was busy with traffic heading to St Andrews for the Open Championship practice days. I liked the sign for Easter Kincaple farm which combined the golf and farming theme which epitomises the interests of the area.
As time had already passed the normal lunching hour, I returned for a visit to Balgove Larder where there is a café as well as a very well-stocked farm shop. You’ll also find the Steak Barn, and The Night Market several times throughout the summer.
Between Balgove and the last part of the coastal path in to St Andrews there were some detours in force due to the stands being in position for the Open Golf. I finished my walk with a visit to the new café at the British Golf Museum, which has amazing views over the Old Course as well as towards the West Sands. You can see the new building in the photograph below, to the left of the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse. If the golf had not been on, I’d probably have finished off with a stroll along the West Sands.
Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail
If you would like to find out more about staying at Sandcastle Cottage take a look inside by clicking this link
To check our availability and prices then click the Book Now button. this will take you to our bookings page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sandcastle Cottage.
Find out more:
- About walking the 117 mile Fife Coastal Path
- Eden.Mill Distillery and Brewery
- Balgove Larder, the Night Market and Steak Barn
- Stay at Sandcastle Cottage in Crail – check dates