DAY 10
TUESDAY 10TH APRIL, 2007
LEVEN TO CRAIL – 19.4 MILES, 8.0 HOURS
MORRIS AND BILL
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 141.4 MILES
We decided to travel to Leven by car for this walk as bus times from Edinburgh would have meant a late start to a longish walk. We parked the car in the sea front car park and set off walking in sunshine although it was a bit chilly at first. We walked along the beach past the CaravanPark and golf course parallel to the Fife Coastal Path (FCP) and on into Lower largo where we had to leave the beach due to impassable rocks and walk through the village. East of the village we rejoined the beach walking past man made sculptures made from driftwood and other materials gleaned from the beach before being forced inland using wooden bridges on the FCP to cross a river near Ruddon’s Point. We followed the FCP past the caravan park at ShellBay and up onto the hillside where we enjoyed lovely views of Earlsferry, Elie and the coast northwards. From the edge of the golf course at Earlsferry we walked along the beach and round the point onto the lovely sands of Elie beach to the harbour and on round the point past the lighthouse at Elie Ness. The FCP runs close to the sea at this point and we followed it all the way to St Monans passing the ruins of NewarkCastle (also known as St Monans Castle) and the stone dovecot on route. Walking through the village we passed the harbour and a short distance further the historic windmill. Staying with the FCP along the sea edge it was a short walk to the next fishing village of Pittenweem and its beautiful harbour. A further 20 minute walk along the sea edge took us to Anstruther another lovely fishing village with a pretty harbour. Walking through the adjoining village of Cellardyke a sign declaring ‘walkers welcome’ outside The Creel bar and restaurant proved to strong an invitation and we enjoyed a couple of pints of ice cold beer served by very pleasant staff. Our last 3.5 miles along the coast following the well marked FCP to our day’s destination at Crail seemed even more enjoyable after our refreshment. On reaching Crail we used a local service bus to return to Leven.
Summary; Good clearly marked paths. Mainly flat with good underfoot conditions.
Highs; Some lovely stretches of beach to walk on and more lovely fishing villages and harbours.
Lows; None a really enjoyable walk.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Bill and Morris ready to set off from Leven
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- Looking along the beach at Leven towards the caravan park
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- Looking across Largo Bay to Fife Ness
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- The road through Lower Largo
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- Out of Lower Largo and back on the coastal path
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- Looking across Largo Bay from the coastal path
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- The expansive sands of Largo Bay
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- A display of art made with drift wood and other debree on the dunes at Largo Bay
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- Looking back across the bay with Largo Law prominent in the background
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- Looking ahead to Earlsferry and Elie from the hillside above Kincraig Point
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- Elie Beach
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- Looking back towards Earlsferry from near Elie harbour
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- Looking across Wood Haven to Elise Ness
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- Looking back south from near Elie to the tower on Sauchar Point
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- Looking ahead to the ruins of Newark (St Monans) Castle with St Monans in the background
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- Bill at the Dovecot beside Newark Castle.
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- St Monans
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- The quaint streets of St Monans
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- On the Fife Coastal Path out of St Monans towards the windmill
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- Approaching Pittenweem
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- Pittenweem Harbour
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- Picturesque Pittenweem harbour
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- On the coastal path near Anstruther looking out to the Isle of May
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- Anstruther harbour
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- The entrance to Anstruther harbour
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- Making our way through Cellardyke
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- Approaching Crail
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- The lovely Crail harbour
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 10 ROUTE MAP