Daily route pages: Day eleven

Walking Scotlands coast.....

Today for the first time I was walking on my own. I made an early start, drove to Crail and parked near the town centre. I made my way to the harbour where I enjoyed a cup of tea before I set off in lovely sunshine. From the harbour I picked up the Fife Coastal Path (FCP) out of Crail passed the caravan site and golf course and on to the Lighthouse on the point at Fife Ness. I continued on the FCP which hugs the coast walking across some small beaches and the lovely Cambo Sands. On this stretch the path edges several golf courses including Crail Golfing Society’s Balcomie and Craighead courses and at Cambo Sands, the Kingsbarnes course. I continued on the FCP at the sea edge to a small bay passed Babbet Ness where I stopped for lunch and met and had a chat with Sharon and David on holiday from Connecticut who were enjoying a walk on the FCP. On setting off again I was soon forced inland to cross the Kenly Water at Boarhills. On walking uphill on the road from Boarhills I took the first available track on the right which took me back near to the sea edge at Craig Hartle. From here I followed the track north rejoining the FCP near the impressive Buddo rock. From here it was a pleasant walk into St Andrews on a well marked path sometimes at the sea edge, sometimes on cliff tops. On the walk into the town I edged the Torrance and Devlin golf course as well a new course under construction.
St Andrews is a beautiful, historic town and I spent sometime wandering around enjoying the sites before continuing my walk by way of the harbour, cathedral, castle and the ‘Scores’ to the lovely West Sands. From here I walked along the edge of five more golf courses (Old,New,Jubilee, Eden and Strathtyrum) to Out Head and along the edge of the Eden bay towards Guardbridge. I chose to walk on the grass banking above the waters edge having seen some teenagers sink knee deep in the mud below. From here there is no clearly marked path and I followed what the map shows as a disused railway line as far as possible before having to cross a field to join the road for the walk into today’s destination Guardbridge.

Summary; Good clearly marked paths to St Andrews. From here FCP markings seem to cease. Mainly flat with good underfoot conditions.
Highs; The weather was great adding to a lovely scenic walk.
Lows; None really, pity about lack of FCP markings after St Andrews.