DAY 12
TUESDAY 17TH APRIL, 2007
GUARDBRIDGE TO DUNDEE – 15.7 MILES, 7.5 HOURS
MORRIS, GEORGE AND BILL
TOTAL DISTANCE WALKED SO FAR 177.8 MILES
After an overnight stay at the Larches B&B I was joined by George and Billy for the walk to Dundee. Initially we followed the A919 from Guardbridge towards Leuchars, then joined the minor (cycle route) road into Leuchars village. We took a right turn in the centre of the village away from the cycle route towards Comerton and skirted round the edge of the airbase, There is no clear sign posting on this part of the route and we made our way through woodland past Wards until we picked up a wooden walkway and path into Tentsmuir woods where we had a tea break in the sunshine at the picnic area adjacent to the beach. On leaving the woods we walked onto the magnificent Tentsmuir beach which stretched for as far as we could see in both directions. It was by now a lovely warm day and without much encouragement we all removed boots and socks and walked in the water along the sea edge. On nearing the ‘point’ we became aware of a large colony of seals and pups basking on the sandbanks and after taking a few photographs gave them a wide berth. Boots back on we re-entered the woods and followed a distinct path westwards towards Tayport passing many World War 2 concrete defence blocks and other relics. On approaching Tayport we crossed the river and walked through the caravan park. On reaching Tayport we followed a narrow concrete path which runs behind the houses at the sea edge to the harbour. Enquiries with a local led us to the Bell Rock Tavern where the welcome we received from the Landlady and locals resulted in an intended short stop becoming 2 hours. Dragging ourselves away we found our way back to the path along the coast past the two lighthouses and ahead we could see the TayRoadBridge. The path to the bridge was indistinct and resulted in us finding our own way along the edge of the adjacent fields and up onto the bridge. We walked across the bridge to Dundee where our day’s walk ended at the bus station.
Summary;. Mainly flat with good underfoot conditions. Poor route marking. Map required.
Highs; Best beach so far at Tentsmuir. Bell Rock – Best pub so far.
Lows; Non existence of Fife Coastal Path signs. Continuous noise of overhead RAF jets from Leuchars.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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- Morris, George and Bill ready to set off from Guardbridge
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- On path near Wards, Leuchars
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- On wooden walkway heading for Tentsmuir Forest
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- A noisy Tornado from RAF Leuchars above.
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- Morris and Bill on path in Tentsmuir forest.
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- Enjoying a break at picnic area in Tentsmuir forest
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- Looking back south on the amazing Tentsmuir sands.
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- Time to cool the feet in the sea at Tentsmuir
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- The sea at Tentsmuir is ice cold
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- Heading towards the sand bank at the point
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- Seals on the sand bank
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- Some more WW2 sea defence relics near Tayport
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- The walk into Tayport
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- The path round the sea edge to Tayport Marina
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- Morris and George at the Tayport Marina
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- Enjoying a pint and a ‘blether’ with the very welcoming locals in the Bell Rock Tavern
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- The very friendly Bell Rock Tavern, Tayport
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- Underway again along the side of the Tay towards the bridge
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- Bill on the sea edge path with the old lighthouse in the background
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- The point where the path ran out and we had to make our way across fields
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- Nearing the Tay bridge and we found a path again
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- Looking across to the rail bridge from the road bridge.
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- Morris and George on the Tay road bridge.
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- The end of the days walk at Dundee.
ROUTE MAP – CLICK TO ENLARGE
DAY 12 ROUTE MAP