Why visit Fife?
The Fife Coastal Path
Running along the shores of Fife from Kincardine to Newburgh, the Fife Coastal Path is without doubt one of the best long-distance walking routes in Scotland. The sandy beaches, cliffs and rocks that make up the area’s North Sea coast – as well as the fact that Fife is one of the sunniest parts of Scotland – make walking here an absolute treat. The area is also packed with history – 18th-century estates, crumbling castles and ancient monasteries can all be spotted along the way. There are plenty of camping and glamping sites within a short distance of the Fife coast if you want to try out a section of the path, as well as good bus services if your goal is to explore as many different parts as possible. Head to the official website of the walk to plan your route, or ask your host for their favourite coastal itineraries when you arrive.
Historic towns and villages
Fife’s countless well-preserved towns and villages are also not to be missed. There may not be spectacular lochs and craggy mountains in this part of the country, but Fife’s pastel-coloured houses, old stone buildings and tiny fishing harbours will leave a smile on the face of even the most die-hard Munro-bagger. Coastal spots like Crail or Culross are among the most popular, but heading away from the shoreline is a good idea too – between the ancient village of Ceres and the historic burgh of Dunfermline, there’s plenty of choice of things to see and do inland.
Fife’s best beaches
We touched on the area’s beaches above, but Fife’s sandy shores deserve a paragraph of their own (at least…). Looking for grand, iconic beaches and a sense of space? West Sands in St Andrews is the biggest beach around and well-known for being the backdrop to the 1981 Oscar-winning film ‘Chariots of Fire’; Tentsmuir’s beach is similarly large in scale, with a wide expanse of golden sands and grassy dunes. At the other end of the spectrum, there are lots of smaller coves and bays like Roome Bay near Crail with its rockpools, and Aberdour beach overlooking the tiny islands in the Firth of Forth.
The best things to do in Fife
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Explore Cold War heritage at Scotland’s Secret Bunker, a Doomsday government command centre housed 100 feet below an innocent-looking Fife farmhouse
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Head to the university town of St Andrews, home to a botanic gardens, a cathedral and the world’s oldest golf course
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Take the kids to Craigtoun Country Park for a round of miniature golf, a tractor ride or a couple of hours at the adventure playground
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Visit the gorgeous gardens of the Cambo Estate before moving on to admire the scenery at Kingsbarns golf links and beach
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See the Forth Bridge, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, at North Queensferry. Take the train over the iconic 19th-century structure for a day out in Edinburgh, or stay in Fife to explore North Queensferry’s lighthouse, one of the oldest in Scotland
Unexplored Fife
Discover Fife’s ancient past
Fife’s ancient pedigree isn’t to be underestimated – this coastal kingdom is home to burial mounds, standing stones and inhabited caves dating back thousands of years. One of the oldest monuments in the area can be seen at the Lundin Links, where a trio of Bronze Age standing stones are located right in the middle of the golf course.
Just up the coast from Kirkcaldy, there’s also Wemyss Caves, home to the largest number of Pictish cave carvings in the country. Bring sturdy footwear and a proper light if you’re planning on exploring the caves on your own, or talk to the experts at the Save Wemyss Ancient Caves Society to book a place on one of their monthly tours.
Elie Chain Walk
One of the trickiest sections of the Fife Coast Path has been made easier with the installation of sturdy chains to guide visitors over the steep rocks. The Elie Chain Walk is a coastal scramble that takes between one and two hours to complete, and there’s nothing else quite like it in Scotland. The volcanic cliffs and rocks make a challenging but enjoyable experience for anyone with good mobility and a reasonable level of fitness. Best of all? It’s free of charge – just remember to check the tide times before setting out to avoid getting cut off.
Boat trips to the Isle of May
From Anstruther, take a boat trip over to the Isle of May, one of coastal Fife’s best kept secrets. Ferries to this National Nature Reserve operate between April and September – keep your eyes peeled for puffins, guillemots and fulmars, as well as grey seals, who flock here to breed in the autumn.
Here’s how
Once you’ve settled on spending your next holiday in Fife, start narrowing down your search. Looking for dog-friendly Fife campsites? Family-friendly locations where there’ll be plenty for the kids? We’ve got you covered – and there are other options too. Take a look at some of our most popular searches:
If you’re still looking for your perfect pitch, have a look at neighbouring regions like Lothian and Stirlingshire, or expand your search to check out all of Pitchup’s campsites in Scotland.
