Fife Coastal Path

The Fife Coastal Path is a stunning trail on the east coast of Scotland, running approximately 188 km from Kincardine to Newburgh.

The day hike between Elie and Anstruther takes in one of the most beautiful sections of the Fife Coastal Path. In just 10 km, this hike offers a snapshot of everything the East Neuk of Fife has to offer: from bustling harbours and charming villages to colourful flower meadows, remnants of historic Scottish industries, and ruins of impressive castles.

Elie Beach and Orchardton Tower

The walk starts at Ruby Bay in Elie where the broad stretch of sand tapers into a series of smaller bays and beaches. A small detour at the beginning of the trail leads you to the ruins of Lady Janet Anstruther’s Tower. It was built in 1760 to serve as a changing room for the Lady’s morning bathing routine. The views across the sea towards North Berwick and the bird haven of Bass Rock from its tall windows are stunning.

A little further out on the headland, you can see the picturesque Elie Lighthouse which is also worth a detour before you start hiking the actual coastal path to Anstruther.

One of our favourite stretches was near the picturesque village of St Monans, a place that feels both timeless and quietly magical.

As we followed the path, we came upon the St Monans Church, perched close to the water’s edge. With its weathered stone and simple Gothic charm, it’s said to be one of the closest churches to the sea in Scotland, and standing there, with waves gently rolling below, it felt beautifully remote and serene.

A little further along, the ruins of the St Monans Windmill came into view, once used for pumping sea water into the salt pans below. These historic saltworks, now quiet and moss-covered, tell a story of 18th-century industry when salt was one of the region’s most valuable commodities. The remnants are fascinating stone-lined pans, and the channels that once carried brine are now part of the landscape, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

We didn’t pass many people that day, just the occasional seabird and the sound of the wind in the grasses. It’s the kind of walk where history whispers to you from the land, and you leave feeling like you’ve discovered something special.

Pittenweem – Harbour Charm & a Pint by the Sea

Wandering into Pittenweem feels like stepping into a storybook. This little East Neuk fishing village is full of character with its quaint cottages, narrow wynds, and the kind of lived-in charm that only comes with centuries of sea air and salt weathering.

The harbour is the heart of it all, still active with working boats and gulls circling overhead. We stood for a while just watching the tide roll in, the creak of ropes and the gentle bobbing of vessels setting a slow, steady rhythm. One of the most striking things about Pittenweem is how close the sea is to the houses in some places, I am sure the wave crash on to the front steps during storms.

We wandered past laundry flapping on the line, tiny colourful doors, and flower pots tucked into every nook, eventually finding our way to the tidal pool — a sheltered spot where locals have added stonework to trap the sea for swimming. It’s a little local gem, and though we didn’t go in, we could easily imagine a refreshing dip on a warm summer’s day.

Before heading on, we tucked into a local pub for a pint, the kind of place where the bar’s worn smooth and the conversation flows easy. It was the perfect pause, letting us linger in the moment, enjoying the simple pleasure of good beer and a sea breeze.