A full bus with 33 walkers left Aberdeen today & headed southwards through the coastal haar to our starting point at Lower Largo. Lower Largo is well known as the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, a mariner, who had been shipwrecked & marooned alone on the island of Juan Fernandez for 4 years 4 months in the 1700’s before being rescued. It is said it was the inspiration behind Daniel Defoe’s book – Robinson Crusoe & there is a plaque & statue in the village celebrating their local hero.
26 walkers disembarked at the start point in Lower Largo with 6 getting off at Elie & 1 remaining until the bus arrived at Anstruther. The weather was dry, warm & sunny at the start. Later there was a a bit of a breeze which meant many walkers donning an extra layer to keep warm. Most of the 26 who started at Lower Largo scrambled along the Chain Walk (and 1 came in from Elie direction) & they enjoyed the adrenaline rush! The Chain Walk was very busy with holidaymakers of all ages & some walking in the opposite direction which in turn caused some delays in the traverse.
There were lots of interesting things to see on the route with quaint fishermen’s houses contrasting with some very modern glass fronted buildings. The sound of the skylark was never far away although many times they were heard but not seen & there was a wide range of wild flowers growing by the side of the route. The route was well signposted & the diversion at Elie was easily overcome as there were remnants of the original path which were easily navigated although the beach could also have been used as the tide was still well out.
A good day was had by all & everyone was back at the bus by 5:20 pm which meant our driver got us back in Aberdeen by 7:30pm.
Gilbert