Lower Largo to Anstruther – Fife Coastal Path – Note: Next walk after this one is in 3 weeks time on 2nd June

Lower Largo to Anstruther – Part of Fife Coastal trail       

12^th May 2024

O.S.Map 59 (St. Andrews).

N.B. Bus departs Aberdeen at 8.00am.

The walk today takes us south from Aberdeen towards the Firth of Forth Estuary and the Kingdom of Fife.  The logo for the Fife Coastal Trail is a blue and green disc with wiggly dark and white lines running from bottom left to top right. High tide predictions for Anstruther will be provided 1 week prior to the walk – these will be required for those walkers contemplating the “Chain Walk” & for those walkers who decide to avoid the official detour between Elie & Ardross Cottage & wish to walk along the sands instead . This walk is a through one, so members who require a shorter walk – please, prior to leaving the bus, indicate your intentions with your committee member in charge today.

(1) Main Walk: Lower Largo to Anstruther

We commence the walk in Lower Largo (NGR 417 025) and head Eastwards on the Fife Coastal Trail on the waymarked path which runs along the shores of Largo Bay towards Earlsferry Links. (Those walkers who wish to do the Earlsferry “Chain Walk”, which passes beneath and along the cliffs, please take note of the tidal predictions, time available and the leaving time of the bus). Continue Eastwards to Elie where there is a detour from the original coastal route due to landslip. The detour follows the A917 for about 2 km until Ardross Cottage where it rejoins the original path. The Fife Coast countryside Trust have been contacted & they advise walkers to use the detour. They also said they were aware some walkers had not taken the detour but had walked along the sands instead but this unofficial option can only be taken at low tide & at walkers own risk. Our route swings North Eastwards along the clifftops past a ruined castle, Long Shank and Partan Craig & a dovecot to eventually arrive at the old boat-building village of St. Monans. The Fife Coastal Trail continues Eastwards past Pans Goat and Birnie Craig to soon enter the picturesque old fishing village of Pittenweem. On the far side of this village, head Eastwards past Billow Ness golf course where our route swings Northwards to arrive at Anstruther (pronounced “Ainster”) Wester. Continue Eastwards along Shore Street then East Shore to the harbour car park where our bus will be waiting (NGR 568 035). NB- Tide times are now available. Low tide at Elie Ruby Bay is at 12 noon & High Tide is at 6:30 pm. This should provide adequate time for the Chain Walk & the beach “unofficial” option from Elie to Ardross Cottage.

Walking distance approx. 12.5 miles (20 km); Ascent: 640 feet (195m)

Please note the download to your mobile device only works if you can open gpx files (e.g. Outdooractive or OS) 

Shorter Alternative:

(2)        Elie to Anstruther

Walkers intending to do this shorter walk should remain on the bus until it stops at Elie where they should disembark & join the Fife Coastal walk from there. Please observe the notes on the detour from Elie to Ardross Cottage detailed in walk 1) above. See note above regarding Tide Times.

Walking distance approx. 6.25 miles (10 km); Ascent 636 feet (194 m)

Bus departs from Wester Anstruther at 5:30 pm.

The above notes are for guidance only and are intended to be used along with a map or compass and/or a GPS device with OS maps.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the outing should be contacted, if possible, before the emergency services are contacted on 999.

Committee member in charge today is Gilbert McCurdy. Mobile Number: 07807 240817