Best of the Fife Coast

Check-in at The Old Manor Hotel is available from 15:00 hours. Your leader will be at reception at 18:30 to meet the group and for a quick introduction to the holiday before dinner.

We walk from Dalgety Bay, within sight of the famous Forth Railway Bridge which takes the main line across to Edinburgh.  On our way we pass the ruins of St. Bridget's Kirk, and then reach Aberdour, an attractive village with a castle dating back to the 12th century. We walk round the pretty Silver Sands Bay and climb onto the Binn, a striking hill overlooking the town of Burntisland, with panoramic views up and down the Firth of Forth. From here we drop down, past the peaceful Kinghorn Loch, renowned for its bird-life, to reach the old port of Kinghorn.

11 miles (18 km) with 1,250 feet (225m) of ascent.

In the morning we walk from Ravenscraig Park, on the outskirts of Kirkcaldy, past the historic harbour at Dysart as far as East Wemyss. Dysart’s history goes back to the beginning of Christianity in Scotland, and it has also been a busy commercial port. Coal was also mined here, for Fife had more working pits than anywhere else in Scotland. At lunchtime we travel from East Wemyss to Shell Bay, and then continue our walk over Kincraig Head, where there are old defences from the Second World War, to reach the twin resorts of Earlsferry and Elie. Our route then passes the Lady Tower, an 18th century summerhouse, built for Lady Anstruther who used to come and bathe here, and ends at St. Monan's, a small fishing village with narrow streets, a stone-built harbour and an impressive cliff-top church.

11 miles (18km) with 850 feet (260m) of ascent.

Today we head inland to explore the Lomond Hills and climb the Western peak. There are fine views all round, north to the River Tay, west to the Ochil Hills, south to the Forth, and east to the North Sea. Our walk ends by descending pretty Maspie Glen, with its succession of waterfalls, to historic Falkland with its 16th century royal palace, a favourite retreat of King James V and his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots. Here there may just be time to visit Falkland Palace - National Trust Scotland ( cost £12.50 /£9 concessions - 2019; free to National Trust members).

10 miles (16km) with 1,050 feet (325m) of ascent and 1,900 feet (590m) of descent.

We rejoin the coastal path at St. Monan's, and pass a restored windmill and see remains of the salt pans which once occupied the shore, when salt was worth more than gold and exported to the continent. We then make our way eastwards to Pittenweem, still a working fishing village. The white houses here, with their red-tiled roofs, illustrate the classic East Neuk style of building, influenced by centuries of trade with Flanders and the Netherlands. Our next stop is Anstruther, a busy seaside resort, where there'll be a chance to visit the impressive Scottish Fisheries Museum (cost £9/£7 concessions). Crail comes next, a smaller, traditional village with a 17th century harbour, full of charm and character. From here the path heads through Kilminning Wildlife Reserve to Fife Ness, the most easterly point of the Kingdom.

10½ miles (16.5km) with 600 feet (180m) of ascent.

Our final day's walking begins in the impressive grounds of Cambo House, as we follow a wooded glen down to re-join the coastal path. We are now facing the North Sea, and our route becomes more remote and rugged, though never far from a series of cliff-top golf-courses. We will see plenty of sea-birds, and pass striking geological features like the Rock and Spindle, as we head to the historic town of St. Andrews. Here there will be a little time to view its historic buildings: the castle, the ruined cathedral, the University colleges, and the iconic Royal and Ancient golf-course.

9 miles (14.5m) with 530 feet (160m) of ascent.