BDHC Walk report Fife Coastal Path 30 March 2025

Simply stunning weather and scenic views gave walkers from Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club an excellent day out walking from Lower Largo to Anstruther. Hard to believe it was still only March as the sun shone warmly from start to finish. Perhaps it was the choice of a new area by the sea, or a change from climbing hills that encouraged a large turnout of 27 walkers.

There were two parties with the larger group of faster walkers setting off at a smart pace after checking the historical features of Lower Largo including the Alexander Selkirk memorial and statue of Robinson Crusoe. A smaller group opted to walk on the beach to Dumbarnie Links nature reserve before joining the official route at Shell Bay and Kincraig point. Walking close to the water’s edge walkers could spot coastal birds such as eider and shell ducks, curlew, redshank, and, when the path climbed, a kestrel was hovering and a ravens were patrolling above cliffs with a stonechat calling at the edge of farmland.

After passing Kincraig point, the path climbs and walkers could observe the famous “chain walk” but with a very high tide, it was not safe to tackle this challenge- perhaps the adventurous will tackle this another day. For some, it was an idyllic spot for a picnic in a sheltered cove with ideal opportunities to see the start of coastal spring flowers with large clumps of scurvy grass clinging to the edges of the path and thrift close to flowering.

Sadly at Dumbarnie the walkers passed the remains of a dead marine mammal, possibly a porpoise. The full walk was 14 miles and, as well as enjoying natural features and a variety of geological features, from sandy beaches to rocky shores, walkers observed many historical artefacts from world war two such as gun emplacements and look out posts.

Whereas the smaller group finished their walk in Elie the main party carried on to Lady’s Tower and Ruby Bay then Newark Castle and St Monan’s Kirk, diverting inland for a short stretch because of the high tide. Thereafter they visited the scenic village of Pittenweem and finished at the busy harbour of Anstruther where they met fellow walkers and enjoyed welcome refreshments of beer or ice cream (or both).

The Anstruther lifeboat was launched to an emergency call out when the walkers were relaxing after their walk; we hope there was a successful and safe outcome.