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This short hiking holiday showcases the most scenic stretch of the Fife Coastal Path between Edinburgh and St Andrews. With gentle daily distances, you will have plenty of time to soak in the sea views, pause at charming cafés for tea and scones, explore local art galleries, and delve into the rich history of the East Neuk, an attractive Scottish region of fishing villages, rugged coastline, and maritime heritage. Comfortable, upgraded accommodations ensure you experience Fife’s coastal charm in a relaxing style.
Your journey begins in Lower Largo, following the coastline to Elie, then onward through the postcard-perfect villages of St Monans and Pittenweem to Anstruther, where you'll spend two nights. Here, you can unwind, visit the Scottish Fisheries Museum, or take an optional boat trip to the Isle of May to observe seabirds and seals in their natural habitat. Enjoy fish and chips by the harbour, visit the RNLI station, and immerse yourself in the area’s seafaring past. From Anstruther, continue to St Andrews, one of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic towns. Walk the world-famous Old Course on a special guided tour, following in the footsteps of legendary golfers. Explore the impressive ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, stroll along the medieval streets, and dine at one of the town’s excellent restaurants.
Designed for both walkers and sightseers, this trip is an ideal addition to a visit to Edinburgh, with easy-paced walks of no more than 11 km (6.5 miles) per day and a rest day in Anstruther.
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12kg of CO2-e PP per day
(60kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Lower Largo
Arrive in the small village of Lower Largo. This ancient fishing village has a stunning beach and is most famous for being the birthplace of the 17th century castaway, Alexander Selkirk, who inspired Daniel Defoe to write Robinson Crusoe. Enjoy spectacular views across the Firth of Forth (the estuary of the River Forth) and take a stroll on the beach. Lower Largo is easy to reach from Edinburgh directly by bus or via Leven by train and bus or taxi. The journey takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. Accommodation: Overnight in a characterful upscale hotel overlooking the beach and harbour with award-winning restaurant.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Walk to Elie – 11km/6.5miles – 80m ascent, 70m descent – 2 hrs 45 mins
Begin your walk on the Fife Coastal Path heading east. Leaving Lower Largo the trail traces the long arc of golden sand and shell-strewn Largo Beach before passing through a nature reserve and some ancient fortifications and Shell Bay, a sheltered cove. Continue to follow the coast path until you reach the harbour at Elie. Approaching Elie, views extend to the striking Elie Ness Lighthouse, perched on the rocky headland beyond. With its charming harbour, sandy beach, and historic inns, Elie is the perfect place to relax and soak in the coastal charm of Fife. Accommodation: Overnight in a stylish inn by the harbour, with sea views and an excellent restaurant with a focus on local, seasonal food. The inn has limited rooms, so if we are not able to secure accommodation here for you, we’ll arrange transfers and accommodation for a second night in Lower Largo or Anstruther.
Meals: B
Day 3
Walk to Anstruther – 10km/6miles – 26m ascent, 26m descent – 2 hrs 45 mins
Follow the signs for the Fife Coastal Path as you hike through the dunes and beach of East Elie Links and pass by the remains of 15th century Ardross Castle before passing a second ruin, Newark Castle. Explore these ancient buildings and then continue to follow the trail (low and high tide options) to St Monans. Pause to explore the harbour which retains a fishing fleet and continue your journey via the windmill and ancient salt pans at the edge of the village. A short distance later reach the pretty village of Pittenweem, which hosts an Arts Festival in August each year. Enjoy exploring the village and walk onwards via a golf course inland for a short time before arriving into the town of Anstruther where there is much to see and do. Celebrate your arrival with fish and chips. Accommodation: Stay 2 nights in a comfortable and stylish hotel centrally located by the harbour with a restaurant serving local seafood.
Day 4
Explore Anstruther and the Isle of May
There is much to see and do in the harbour town of Anstruther, and our recommendation is to take a boat trip out to the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth. A National Nature Reserve, the Isle of May is 8km off the coast and is a special place well worth a visit. The island was refuge to Vikings and smugglers, and today is a protected reserve on account of the large number of seabirds that breed here including Fulmar, Shag, Eider, Gulls, Terns, Razorbill, Gannet and Puffin. A range of boat trip excursions are bookable locally or in advance. Further information will be provided when you book. A visit to the Scottish Fisheries Museum is also highly recommended, as is a stop by the RNLI lifeboat station. Or take a leisurely day browsing local shops and galleries, watching the colourful boats in the harbour as they set sail on fishing expeditions. You could even retrace your steps to Pittenweem or St Monans and return to complete your day with a quality “fish supper” from the award-winning (and favourite of Prince William and his family) Anstruther Fish Bar.
Day 5
Walk to Crail - 7km/4 miles – 2 hours - and transfer to St Andrews
Depart Anstruther to rejoin the Fife Coastal Path today, passing by the adjoining harbour village at Cellardyke and the caves at Caiplie, once home to a hermit and a site of early Christian worship. Enjoy views out to the Isle of May and the Bass Rock and across the Firth to North Berwick. Arrive in the beautiful fishing village of Crail and spend some time exploring the narrow cobbled streets and the historic harbour. Enjoy an ice cream, visit the local heritage centre, browse local galleries and the famous Crail pottery. After your explorations, transfer to St Andrews via the convenient and low-cost local bus which runs hourly and takes just 30 minutes. St Andrews is world-famous as the home of golf, and we will arrange for you to take a guided walking tour of the “Old Course”, a great way to soak up the history of the centuries-old fairways without having to pay the exclusive rates to secure a tee. Spend the evening exploring the medieval streets and the ancient university where Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, met Kate Middleton. Visit the remains of St Andrews Cathedral, once the large in Scotland, and enjoy dinner in one of the town’s excellent eateries. Accommodation: Overnight in a comfortable townhouse hotel in the centre of St Andrews.
Day 6
Arrangements end after breakfast
Tour arrangements end after breakfast. You can spend further time exploring St Andrews independently or travel on to Dundee to visit the V&A museum and gallery (ask our team about adding transfers and extra nights). Alternatively you can return to Edinburgh by bus directly from St Andrews or take a short taxi ride to Leuchars from where you can connect to trains to Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness.
What's included
What's not included
We have hand selected a few of our favourite places to stay in Fife or your walking trip. The character, food and flavours of this area of Scotland are embedded in comfortable hotels and country inns from the full Scottish breakfast to start your day to the tastefully decorated rooms with ensuite bathrooms and tea and coffee making facilities. Note that for the dates of your tour we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will try to book a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there are limited options in the small villages of this part of Scotland.
The trails on the Fife Coastal Path are well waymarked and are a mix of beach tracks, quiet footpaths, coastal trails and some sections of quiet roads or roads with pavement (sidewalk). Given that underfoot conditions can get slippery in wet weather sturdy boots with ankle support are highly recommended. Note that several areas of the Fife Coastal Path involve walking along beaches and shorelines. Path users must be aware of the dangers of rising tides and should always check the tide times before setting off. Most online weather sites have links to tide tables and you can find regularly updated times at the Tide Times website.
We grade this tour Introductory to Moderate (grade 1-2). The walking on this section of the Fife Coastal Path is relatively straightforward. The route is well waymarked and the trails are well defined. The walks are no more than 11km (6.5 miles) and there is very little ascent or descent. Trails include a mix of beach trails, quiet tracks, coastal footpaths and roads with pavement (sidewalks).
Per Person, Twin Share
If you want to see the very best of the "East Neuk" of Fife, don't want to walk long distances, would like more comfortable accommodation or have limited time to spare, this is the trip for you! None of the walks are longer than 11km (just over 6 miles) and there is very little ascent or descent making for easy-going hiking. Local buses operate along the route so you can always hop on the bus if you'd like to spend more time exploring the villages. Elie, St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail are amongst the loveliest of old harbour villages in the UK, many of them still have fishing fleets. There are artisan shops and cafes, galleries and museums to explore. The coastal landscape is glorious in this corner of east Scotland. All these elements make this trip a magical choice for exploring Scotland. We have chosen accommodation that brims with the character of the local area and offers comfort and style.
Your trip begins in the Fife village of Lower Largo. It's about an hour and 15 mins drive from Edinburgh. Using public transport, you can take the Stagecoach X60 bus service directly from Edinburgh to Lower Largo - the journey is very scenic and takes around 1 hr 45 mins. Alternatively you can take the train from Edinburgh Waverley to Markinch and then a local bus or taxi to Lower Largo. Your trip ends in St Andrews. Take a taxi to nearby Leuchars (15 mins) to pick up a train to Edinburgh or Aberdeen if you are travelling north. Or alternatively take the X59 bus service directly from St Andrews back to Edinburgh. If you would like help organsing taxi transfers, please ask a member of our team when you book.
The East Neuk of Fife is a picturesque coastal region in the eastern corner of Fife, Scotland, known for its charming fishing villages, scenic coastline, and rich maritime history. "Neuk" is a Scots word for "nook" or "corner," reflecting its tucked-away feel. The villages of Elie, St Monan's, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail are some of Scotland's most beautiful coastal villages with whitewashed cottages, colourful harbours and narrow winding streets of artisan shops and cafes. Be sure to visit the pottery when you are in Crail.
The hike starts in Lower Largo, very close to Edinburgh, so we highly recommend tacking on some additional time to explore the Scottish capital, one of the world's most beautiful cities and the home of the 18th century Scottish Enlightenment movement. Edinburgh is a city of history, culture, and surprising natural scenery in it's position between the Pentland Hills and the Firth of Forth. From iconic Edinburgh Castle and the historic Royal Mile to the dramatic heights of Arthur’s Seat, the city blends medieval charm with a vibrant modern atmosphere. Quaff a pint in a Rose Street pub, have a wee dram in the Old Town, or enjoy a fine wine in a bar in the New Town. It’s home to world-famous festivals, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Hogmanay, while its museums, whisky bars, and thriving food scene offer something for every visitor. Whether exploring the cobbled streets of the Old Town, admiring Georgian elegance in the New Town Edinburgh promises an unforgettable experience. Note that if you are planning to visit during the Summer Festival, early booking in strongly recommended.
While it doesn't have long stretches of road walking, there are some sections where you might need to walk on roads, especially when the trail moves through towns or areas with limited access to the coastline. However, these road sections tend to be short and often are on quieter roads, making them manageable for walkers. The majority of the path offers stunning coastal scenery with trails that are off-road, perfect for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Fife.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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