Scotland is full of beautiful scenery, so it’s no surprise that it beat Canada to the top spot in the New York Post’s list of the world’s most beautiful countries. I know – Canada is pretty amazing, and normally I would argue Canada’s case. But once you take a look at the photos below, you’ll understand why Scotland deserves to be at the top. If you’re unsure of where to go on your next trip, make Scotland your travel destination and hit up the Fife Coastal Path.
The Fife Coastal Path stretches for 117 miles across the Kingdom of Fife. Although I haven’t managed to walk all of it (yet), the parts I have explored are breathtaking. When the sun’s shining, it’s hard to believe you’re actually in Scotland. It’s considered one of the best walking routes in Scotland, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for a day out in Fife. Here are a few of my favourite parts of the Fife Coastal Path.
Places to visit along the Fife Coastal Path
Lady’s Tower
Lady’s Tower was once used as a changing room for Lady Janet Anstruther when she went on her daily swim. I had no idea this was on the route so it was a nice surprise. It was built in the late 18th century and still stands proudly along the coastline.
Elie
I never expected Elie to be so picturesque. It has many beautiful spots to take photos at so you can easily spend a day here. There are a number of Fife fishing villages along the coastal route, and each one is just as beautiful as the next. I also made a stop at Anstruther, which has Scotland’s best chippy.
Elie Ness Lighthouse
Elie Ness Lighthouse is just a short walk from Lady’s Tower, and was one of my favourite viewpoints along the Fife Coastal Path. If you’re spending one week in Scotland and want to experience its beautiful coastlines, I would highly recommend taking a day trip here.
St Monans
St Monans is a charming little village along the coast of Fife. It’s the smallest fishing post in the area, and is only 12 miles from St Andrews. It’s very easy to get to with public transportation if you don’t have a car, or you can make this one of your stops if you’re planning on walking the Fife Coastal Path. It also has this gorgeous church set right on the edge of the cliff with stunning views.
Pittenweem
A very short walk from St Monans is the fishing village of Pittenweem. Every year at the beginning of August they turn the whole village into an arts festival, which I stumbled upon by accident. This area has one of the best coastal walks in Scotland, so if you’re an avid walker, add this to your Scottish itinerary.
Crail
Crail was once a royal burgh, and still boasts cobbled streets leading down to the harbour. You can either take some time to explore the town or stay along the coastal path. If you don’t fancy hiking in Scotland, walking routes can be just as pretty.
Near St Andrews
No, this isn’t the Mediterranean. You’ll find this spot along the Fife Coastal Path, close to St Andrews. Don’t be deceived though – the water is freezing cold. I bet you didn’t imagine walking trails in Scotland would look like this!
Rock and Spindle
This is another unique spot along the Fife Coastal Path known as the Rock and Spindle. The formation is made from twisted basalt columns, similar to the rock Edinburgh castle sits on.
St Andrews
You can pick up the Fife Coastal Path from East Sands beach in St Andrews. If you’re planning on spending a weekend in Scotland but don’t want to go to the usual large cities, I would highly recommend taking a tour of St Andrews, and then joining the coastal path from there.
Where to eat along the Fife Coastal Path
The Steak Barn
If you’re walking the Fife Coastal Path, then chances are you’ll visit St Andrews at least once. Sitting on the outskirts of the town is Balgove Larder which is a popular farm shop with a cafe and butchery inside. The Steak Barn is next to the farm shop and it’s situated inside an old sawmill. The menu is based around fresh and seasonal ingredients, most of which come from the farm surrounding the restaurant. They’re very well known for their steaks, but the beef burger is equally worth trying.
The Cheesy Toast Shack
The Cheesy Toast Shack is incredibly easy to locate if you’re walking along the Fife Coastal Path. The shack sits next to East Sands, so you get a picture perfect view while you eat. Their menu is centred around cheese toasties that are loaded with ingredients. I would recommend trying the mac n’ cheese toastie if you’re feeling hungry because it’s very filling and a great lunch option. Just be on the lookout for the seagulls who are more than happy to take the food from you.
Anstruther Fish Bar
If there’s one thing that Anstruther is known for it’s the fish and chips. This fishing village in Fife is beautiful to walk around throughout the year, and it’s a good spot to stop as you make your way along the Fife Coastal Path. Anstruther Fish Bar is an award-winning fish bar that prides themselves on using only the freshest local ingredients. The owners have centuries worth of family knowledge in the fishing industry, and they’ve transferred that knowledge into the restaurant. Anstruther Fish Bar is a must-visit in Fife, even if you’re only staying in the village for a short amount of time.
Brattesani Ice Cream Parlour
Walking the Fife Coastal Path in the spring or summer means you get to enjoy the nice weather and visit businesses that are only open in the peak season. Brattesani Ice Cream Parlour is connected to Anstruther Fish Bar and they make their own ice cream daily using fresh Scottish milk and cream. They use a century-old Italian recipe to give their ice cream its distinct flavour, and there are plenty of options to choose from. I’d recommend taking your ice cream with you as you walk along the seafront.
Where to stay in Fife
Catchpenny Safari Lodges
One of the most unique places to stay in Scotland is located along the Fife Coastal Path. Catchpenny Safari Lodges sits between the picturesque fishing villages of Elie and St Monans. The lodges offer guests the opportunity to sleep under a canvas with all of the modern amenities and comfort offered at a hotel. The East Neuk is a beautiful part of Fife to explore, and staying at Catchpenny Safari Lodges provides you with the perfect base to enjoy everything the Fife Coastal Path has to offer.
Catchpenny has eight luxury lodges available and all of them are dog-friendly. Inside you’ll find a spacious living room, three bedrooms with various bed sizes, a fully-equipped kitchen with a two hob gas stove, and a wood burning stove with an extra hob. Although they don’t have three pin sockets, they’ve installed USB charging ports for convenience.
The wood burning stove is used as a source of heat when the evenings are cool but the radiators are set to come on at certain times of the day as well. You’ll be provided with logs for the fire and if you need more you just need to text the owner and he’ll bring some down. Catchpenny is completely off-grid, so all of the power comes from wind and solar energy that they produce on-site.
The open plan living and dining room is a great place to relax in the evening, with plenty of seating areas to enjoy. This includes a large handmade wooden dining table and benches which add to the feel of the safari lodge. You’ll also find a number of books and games on the shelves in the living room that guests are free to use.
But my favourite part of the living room is the incredible view you get from all of the windows. If the weather is nice you can leave the doorway open and enjoy the lovely sea breeze. You can also sit outside on the deck or start the fire pit to make the your evening more like a camping experience. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for dolphins in the distance!
The lodges can sleep up to six people, and there are a few different bedroom layouts. The closed-off bedroom offers sleepers a king size bed and direct access to the bathroom. Next to the kitchen is an opening to another bedroom that has two single beds. And finally, the most unique bedroom is the elevated king size cabin that sits between the twin room and the living room. This is where I stayed because it’s very cozy and private.
All of the beds have comfortable mattresses as well as high-quality linens with patterns that perfectly match the vibes of the safari lodge. You’ll also find hot water bottles on each of the beds in case you need them in the evenings.
It wouldn’t be a proper glamping experience without having access to your own private bathroom. Each lodge is equipped with a hot shower, a flushable toilet, a heated towel railing, and natural bathroom products. Fresh towels and a bath mat are also provided. In the corridor next to the bathroom you’ll find hooks to store your coats and space for other gear.
Catchpenny Safari Lodges are only open on a seasonal basis, so you’re guaranteed to have good weather at least for part of your stay (hopefully). One thing’s for sure though, you’ll always have incredible coastal views to look forward to. This is easily one of the most unique places to stay in Scotland and you won’t find anything else like it in Fife.
If you’re planning on walking along the Fife Coastal Path, this part of the East Neuk is a great spot to base yourself from for a couple of days. Even if you’re not planning on doing the walking route, Catchpenny Safari Lodges is the perfect luxury glamping getaway in one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.
>> Secure your spot at Catchpenny Safari Lodges early <<
Is the Fife Coastal Path worth it?
The Fife Coastal Path is one of the best walks in Scotland you’ll ever go on, and the nice weather makes it all the more enjoyable. If you don’t fancy walking the whole route, you can easily drive or get a bus to the various fishing villages and go on a leisurely walk from there to the gorgeous viewpoints. Next time I visit the Kingdom of Fife, I’ll definitely be exploring another section of the Fife Coastal Path.
Don’t forget to check out my post covering the best things to do in St Andrews as well. If you’re wondering where to stay, I would recommend treating yourself to Rufflets St Andrews. Scotland is also bursting with historic sites and castles to explore, so if you’re thinking of planning a road trip to some of them, Is Scotland’s Explorer Pass Worth It? has some helpful tips on how to save money. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too!
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