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Fife’s Coastal Kingdom

The East Neuk: a cosy corner of Scotland

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Fife’s Coastal Kingdom

Enjoy a series of fascinating coastal trails on this self-guided walking holiday, with luggage transfers included. Following the acclaimed Fife Coastal Path to ancient St Andrews, you discover picturesque fishing villages, abundant marine life and much delicious local produce.

Fife’s Coastal Kingdom. 6 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

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Fife’s Coastal Kingdom. 6 nights

+44 (0)1653 617001

Call now

Jump to...
Overview
Gallery
Itinerary
Accommodation
Extend your stay
Prices & travel
Reviews
FAQs

Holiday information

- Holiday type
  
  Walking
- Grade 1
  
  Generally easy walking with few ascents / descents, but perhaps the occasional long day.
  
  Easy
- Terrain
  
  The Fife Coastal Path: cliff-top trails; rocky and sandy beaches; pastureland; woodland; historic fishing villages
- Average carbon footprint
  
  Let's be clear on carbon
  We want you to be able to make an informed choice when deciding on a holiday, and to see how holidays compare in terms of their average carbon footprint. Read our carbon scores page to find out how we calculate it.
  
  73kg CO₂e per person, excluding travel
- Nights
  
  6
- Accommodation
  
  One seaside inn; one guesthouse; one 3-star hotel
- Meals
  
  Breakfast every day, 1 dinner
- Optional extras
  
  We can book an indulgent picnic lunch on Crail harbour with a local food expert. See Itinerary for details.
- Price (excluding travel)
  
  From £840pp
- Travel options
  
  Included in the price is a transfer to collect your car or transfers from/to the local station. Alternatively, we can arrange transfers from Edinburgh (see 'Prices & Travel')
- Start
  
  Varies according to season (see Pricing section)
- When you can travel
  - J
  - F
  - M
  - A
  - M
  - J
  - J
  - A
  - S
  - O
  - N
  - D
  The season for this holiday is:
  01 March 2023 - 31 October 2023
  01 March 2024 - 31 October 2024

A walking holiday in Fife

Almost entirely surrounded by sea, the Kingdom of Fife is a region where the imprint of the past is clear: this tiny land has been shaped by its longstanding royal connections, by the changing tides of religion and trade, and by its hugely important fishing and farming industries. As a result, Fife is blessed with a rich history, culture and a perhaps surprising abundance of delicious local food and drink, all of which combines to create the ideal backdrop for a varied and rewarding walking adventure.

Focusing on Fife’s ‘East Neuk’ (eastern corner) – by far the prettiest part of the peninsula – our holiday explores the celebrated shoreline south of St Andrews, culminating with a stay in the ancient university town that is as much an attraction to visitors today as it was to the pilgrims making their way there during the first millennium.

Many of our recommended routes join with the long-distance Fife Coastal Path, but walking is only part of the holiday experience: we also invite you to linger and digest – to delight at the constantly shifting seascape; admire the wealth of marine and birdlife along the coast; explore the dramatic castle ruins that rise above Fife’s fertile pastureland; and pause in each of the picturesque wee fishing villages that line the way.

Each of these villages merit close inspection: as well as an idyllic beauty – think cobbled lanes, stone harbours and quaint fishermen’s cottages – they offer interesting museums, art galleries and an impressive line-up of local food producers. Of the villages, you stay in charming Lower Largo and bustling Anstruther – in each, at welcoming and good-quality accommodation – before spending your final two nights amid the historic splendour of St Andrews.

Gallery

Near Elie

Keil's Den, near Lower Largo, in spring

St Monan's, en route to Anstruther

St Monan's church

Anstruther harbour

Anstruther to Crail

Crail

Enjoy an indulgent picnic lunch with Christopher Trotter

The Isle of May

Fresh seafood

Visit the Cambo Estate on the way to St Andrews

The Kingsbarns Distillery, en route to St Andrews

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on almost any day of the week, and are free to add extra nights.

Many of our recommended walking routes make use of Fife’s regular local bus service; pay locally for this, and for any other journeys, visits or excursions you undertake.

We have not provided elevation profiles for any of the routes on this holiday because it is largely on the flat.

The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

You should always be prepared for wet weather, whichever month you are travelling.

Average temperatures and rainfall

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
°C	7	7	9	11	14	16	19	18	16	13	9	7
mm	51	41	47	56	58	68	67	68	51	67	53	49

Arrival

Arrival in Lower Largo

Arrival in Lower Largo

Night 1: at The Crusoe (the first of two nights here).
As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, Day 1 is your first day of walking.
Day 1

Choice of walks from Lower Largo: 8km to 10.5km (5 to 6.5 miles)

Choice of walks from Lower Largo: 8km to 10.5km (5 to 6.5 miles)

Lower Largo, birthplace of Alexander Selkirk – the privateer whose four years as a desert-island castaway provided Daniel Defoe with the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe – is an attractive little village with a memorial to Selkirk. You may like to visit the village's historic centre before setting off on one of the following routes…

Lower Largo to Elie: 10.5km (6.5 miles), 3.5hrs; ascent/descent 75m
Following a beautifully varied stretch of the Fife Coastal Path, this linear route leads you south-east to Elie. Along the way, you walk along the trackbed of a former railway line; descend to the sweeping, dune-backed Largo Bay – a known vantage point for bottlenose dolphins and grey seals; and enjoy commanding views over the Forth Estuary. Before you reach Elie, there’s the option to detour from the Coastal Path to attempt the Elie Chainwalk – a thrilling, via ferrata-like trail which requires a head for heights. To enter Elie, you pass first through pretty Earlsferry village, so called as MacDuff, the Earl of Fife, is said to been ferried from here as part of his 1054 escape from King Macbeth.

Around Lower Largo: 8km (5 miles), 2.5hrs or 11km (7 miles), 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 295m
This scenic loop explores the countryside above Lower Largo, starting along the coast then heading inland with the option to ascend the grassy slopes of Largo Law, an extinct volcano which offers unrivalled views across the Forth Estuary and over to both Edinburgh and Berwick. You continue through the steep-sided valley of Keil’s Den – an ancient bluebell wood – before returning to the shore.

Shell Bay

Largo Law
Day 2

Lower Largo to Anstruther: 9.5km (6 miles), 3hrs; ascent 110m/descent 100m

Lower Largo to Anstruther: 9.5km (6 miles), 3hrs; ascent 110m/descent 100m

Today’s route is packed full of interest – take the bus to Elie before striding out across sheltered Ruby Bay, which takes its name from the tiny pyrope garnets embedded in the local rock. At the eastern end of the bay are the dramatic remains of the Lady’s Tower, an 18th-century summerhouse and changing ‘hut’ built for the use of Lady Janet Anstruther, a keen sea-bather. Further ruins line your onward route, including those of the once-great Newark Castle, and there is also an excellent farmshop to visit – recommended to sample some of Fife’s famed local produce. Continuing north-east along the coast, you pass through St Monan’s with its pretty huddle of houses, popular East Pier Smokehouse and striking seafront church, before making your way to Pittenweem via a windmill, historic saltpans and some very fine coastal views. Pittenweem represents the heart of Fife’s modern fishing industry and is home to a buzzing summer arts festival as well as several mouthwatering lunch options, yet the village also has an older claim to fame: a cave that is said to have provided refuge to a 7th-century saint who wrote by the God-given light of his glowing left arm. The next village along the coast from Pittenweem is Anstruther, the final destination of today’s walk, and where you stay two nights at the Spindrift Guest House.

En route to Anstruther
Day 3

Linear walk from Anstruther: 8.5km (5.5 miles); or a boat trip

Linear walk from Anstruther: 8.5km (5.5 miles); or a boat trip

There’s plenty to enjoy in Anstruther, from the excellent Scottish Fisheries Museum to the award-winning Anstruther Fish Bar, said to have been a favourite of Prince William’s during his time at St Andrews University. However, from the village you also have the option of another fantastic walk along the Fife Coastal Path, or a boat trip to the ‘floating’ nature reserve that is the Isle of May.

Anstruther to Crail: 8.5km (5.5 miles), 3hrs; ascent 60m/descent 50m
Crail is often described as the prettiest of the East Neuk villages, and with its cobbled lanes, tiny stonewalled harbour and cluster of historic cottages it’s not difficult to see why. To reach it from Anstruther, you follow the Fife Coastal Path through adjoining Cellardyke and out into some of Fife’s famously rich pastureland; as you walk, look out for Caiplie Caves – red sandstone structures shaped by the sea and into which early Christian pilgrims carved the sign of the cross. Once in Crail, be sure to visit the renowned Crail Pottery and to taste some of freshly caught seafood for sale in the village. Alternatively, why not treat yourself to an indulgent picnic lunch with Scottish food expert Christopher Trotter? (Further details below.) From Crail, you return to Anstruther by bus.

Isle of May boat trip
A visit to this National Nature Reserve is highly recommended: in peak times, the island’s towering cliffs offer a home to over 200,000 nesting birds, including puffins, kittiwakes and guillemots; while porpoises, dolphins and even the occasional whale can be spotted in the surrounding waters. Advance booking advised; click here for details.

The path to Crail

The Isle of May

Puffins on the Isle of May
Optional foodie experience in Crail

Pre-book a picnic with a local food expert

Pre-book a picnic with a local food expert

Crail’s picturesque harbour is an ideal setting for an indulgent picnic lunch with Christopher Trotter, an expert in Scottish food and drink. Originally a chef, Christopher is a convivial host and will share his knowledge of Fife’s rich gastronomy with you as you savour a leisurely, two-course picnic typically consisting of local crab salad followed by dessert and accompanied by a bottle of wine.

The picnic must be booked in advance of your holiday; see the Pricing section for prices. Dietary requirements can be accommodated.

Your convivial host © Caroline Trotter

Enjoy a two-course picnic © Caroline Trotter
Day 4

Anstruther to St Andrews: 10.5km (6.5 miles), 3.5hrs; ascent 80m/descent 60m

Anstruther to St Andrews: 10.5km (6.5 miles), 3.5hrs; ascent 80m/descent 60m

After a short bus journey to Crail, you re-join the Fife Coastal Path – this time for one of its more challenging sections. An early highlight is the chance to spy Crail Airfield, which was operational during World Wars I and II as well as throughout the Cold War, and is perhaps better known by its military title HMS Jackdaw. You also pass through the grasslands and salt marshes of the Kilminning Wildlife Reserve before rounding Fife’s easternmost tip to reach Constantine’s Cave, where fragments of Roman pottery and early Christian wall carvings have been found. The final leg of the route takes you to Kingsbarns Distillery – an award-winning whisky distillery which uses locally grown barley – and to the privately owned Cambo Estate with its beautiful walled garden. From here, we recommend that you complete the remainder of your journey to St Andrews by bus, to better appreciate the town’s superb setting and skyline. Your two nights here are spent at the Albany Hotel or, if you choose to upgrade, at Rufflets St Andrews.

En route to St Andrews

Kilminning Wildlife Reserve
Day 5

St Andrews town trail: 7km (4 miles), 2.5hrs; ascent/descent 60m

St Andrews town trail: 7km (4 miles), 2.5hrs; ascent/descent 60m

There’s so much to see in St Andrews that we suggest spending the full day here, using our self-guided town trail to help you explore. St Andrews claims the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world, with teaching dating from 1410 and several historic buildings to its name, notably 'Sallies Quad' and the late Gothic St Salvator’s Chapel. The town is also home to a ruined castle and the remains of a once-magnificent cathedral, as well as to two glorious golden beaches, with West Sands being the more famous thanks to its starring role in the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire. And then there’s the golf: St Andrews’ Old Course is considered the world’s oldest golf course, and its prestigious clubhouse and much-photographed Swilcan Bridge are sporting icons in their own right.

Explore St Andrews

St Andrews castle

Accommodation

Warm, welcoming and full of charm, your accommodation ranges from a bustling beachside inn to a former Georgian townhouse located in the ancient centre of St Andrews.

We offer an upgrade option in St Andrews. Whichever hotel you choose, we recommend an extra night here to make the most of the town’s many charms, and perhaps to enjoy a round of golf on the famous Old Course!

Extra nights recommended

Enjoy both of our suggested walking routes from Lower Largo.

Nights 1-2
The Crusoe
Lower Largo
- seaside inn
It is the location, and the views over Largo Bay and the Firth of Forth, that really set this inn apart. Perched right by the harbour wall (the 'pier'), The Crusoe - named with Lower Largo’s most famous son in mind - is so close to the beach that at high tide the waves lap below its windows. The restaurant is proud to serve the best of Scottish produce, and champions local shellfish.

Meal arrangements: breakfast, plus dinner on 1st night
Extra nights recommended

With more time in Anstruther, you won’t have to choose between our rewarding walking route and a boat trip to the Isle of May.

Nights 3-4
Spindrift Guest House
Anstruther
- guesthouse
Built in 1870 for a tea clipper captain, this large Victorian residence comprises several very comfortable bedrooms and a choice of relaxing communal areas, among them a cosy lounge and a well-tended garden. Hosts Jeni and Mark will ensure you are warmly welcomed and well cared for throughout your stay, with Mark using his expertise as a former professional oenologist to offer whisky talks and tastings from the Spindrift’s in-house honesty bar (to be arranged and paid for locally), and Jeni serving up delicious home-cooked breakfasts. The guesthouse is located just over 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of Anstruther, where there is a choice of eateries for dinner.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Nights 5-6
Albany Hotel
St Andrews
Tucked in among a row of elegant Georgian terraced houses in the historic heart of St Andrews, the 3-star Albany Hotel offers a slice of genuine Scottish hospitality with its welcoming, cheery staff and traditional, plaid-inspired décor. Dating back to 1764, the adjoining identical houses, built by Mr Thomas Low for his two sons, have been transformed into a small townhouse hotel. Each of the modestly sized bedrooms is individual in style and size, comfortable and well-appointed. Breakfast is served in the hotel’s Garden Restaurant situated in the basement, which opens out onto a small walled garden and patio. There is also a cosy inviting lounge with bar and open fire making it a popular place for golfers to stay. The bonus of staying here is definitely its central location amidst St Andrews’ many attractions and wide array of restaurants at the heart of the lively university quarter.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Upgrade

Please tell us at the time of booking if you would like to stay at our upgrade hotel. Prices are shown in the 'Prices & Travel' section below.

Nights 5-6: upgrade
Rufflets St Andrews
St Andrews
Owned and run by the same family since 1952, Rufflets is located outside the centre of St Andrews amid 10 acres of glorious grounds. Inside, this country-house-style hotel maintains a well-honed balance between the genteel and the contemporary, with antique furniture and four-poster beds complemented by fresh modern design and up-to-date amenities. Rufflets’ on-site restaurant is the proud holder of two AA rosettes, and it benefits from a close working relationship between the head chef and head gardener: expect to see produce from the hotel’s own kitchen garden feature on the tempting restaurant menus.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only

Options to extend or shorten your stay

City Add-On

Edinburgh City Add-On

Athens of the North

2 nights, from £200pp

One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, charismatic Edinburgh makes the perfect add-on to any walking holiday in Scotland.

View details
Walking

Fife’s Coastal Corner

Where pretty fishing villages lead to St Andrews

4 nights, from £500pp

Experience the highlights of the Fife Coastal Path on this scenic short break, which finishes with a stay in ancient St Andrews.

View details

Prices & travel options

All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.

Currency converter

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Prices (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Walk price

6 nights: 01 March 2023 - 31 October 2023 & 01 March 2024 - 31 October 2024

Start varies according to season* | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
1 - 28 Mar 2023	£760	£420
29 Mar - 26 Apr 2023	£915	£550
27 Apr - 29 May 2023	£1015	£595
30 May - 30 Jun 2023	£1030	£625
1 Jul - 31 Aug 2023	£1065	£645
1 - 30 Sep 2023	£955	£540
1 - 25 Oct 2023	£905	£505
1 - 28 Mar 2024	£840	£465
29 Mar - 26 Apr 2024	£1010	£605
27 Apr - 29 May 2024	£1120	£655
30 May - 30 Jun 2024	£1135	£690
1 - 22 Jul 2024	not available	not available
23 Jul - 31 Aug 2024	£1175	£710
1 - 30 Sep 2024	£1055	£595
1 - 25 Oct 2024	£1000	£560
3rd & 4th person discount	-£30 to -£33
Single traveller supplement	£30 to £33

Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, and any connecting travel detailed below.

*Any day, except in March (when Wednesday-Saturday only).

Picnic in Crail: add £44pp in 2023 or £48pp in 2024. Must be booked in advance.

Please note: dogs are not permitted on Inntravel holidays

Prices for upgrade option (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Walk price

6 nights, staying at Rufflets Hotel: 01 March 2023 - 31 October 2023 & 01 March 2024 - 31 October 2024

Start varies according to season* | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Price	Single room
1 - 27 Mar 2023	£945	£660
28 Mar - 25 Apr 2023	£1165	£885
26 Apr - 30 Jun 2023	£1250	£950
1 Jul - 31 Aug 2023	£1290	£995
1 - 30 Sep 2023	£1180	£890
1 - 25 Oct 2023	£1100	£820
1 - 27 Mar 2024	£1040	£730
28 Mar - 25 Apr 2024	£1285	£975
26 Apr - 30 Jun 2024	£1375	£1045
1 Jul - 31 Aug 2024	£1420	£1095
1 - 30 Sep 2024	£1300	£980
1 - 25 Oct 2024	£1210	£905
3rd & 4th person discount	-£30 to -£33
Single traveller supplement	£30 to £33

Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, and any connecting travel detailed below.

*Any day, except in March (when Wednesday-Saturday only).

Picnic in Crail: add £44pp in 2023 or £48pp in 2024. Must be booked in advance.

Please note: dogs are not permitted on Inntravel holidays

Room upgrades & extra nights

Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

The Crusoe, Lower Largo
Largo Pier suite: 01 Mar - 30 Jun 2023	£48
Largo Pier suite: 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2023	£68
Largo Pier suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£48
Largo Pier suite: 01 Mar - 30 Jun 2024	£53
Largo Pier suite: 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2024	£75
Largo Pier suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£53

Spindrift Guest House, Anstruther
King double: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2023	£10
King double: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2024	£11

Albany Hotel, St Andrews
Junior suite: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2023	£36
Junior suite: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2024	£40

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

The Crusoe, Lower Largo (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2023	£102	£190
01 Apr - 30 Jun 2023	£149	£284
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2023	£162	£311
01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£115	£217
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2024	£112	£209
01 Apr - 30 Jun 2024	£165	£315
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2024	£180	£345
01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£127	£239

Spindrift Guest House, Anstruther (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2023	£68	£136
01 Apr - 31 Oct 2023	£90	£180
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2024	£75	£150
01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024	£99	£198

Albany Hotel, St Andrews (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 Mar - 30 Apr 2023	£84	£121
01 May - 22 Oct 2023	£117	£165
23 Oct - 31 Oct 2023	£90	£136
01 Mar - 30 Apr 2024	£92	£133
01 May - 22 Oct 2024	£129	£182
23 Oct - 31 Oct 2024	£99	£150

Room upgrades & extra nights for upgrade option

Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

The Crusoe, Lower Largo
Largo Pier suite: 01 Mar - 30 Jun 2023	£48
Largo Pier suite: 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2023	£68
Largo Pier suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£48
Largo Pier suite: 01 Mar - 30 Jun 2024	£53
Largo Pier suite: 01 Jul - 31 Aug 2024	£75
Largo Pier suite: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£53

Spindrift Guest House, Anstruther
King double: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2023	£10
King double: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2024	£11

Rufflets St Andrews, St Andrews
Suite: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2023	£52
Suite: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2024	£57
Superior: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2023	£14
Superior: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2024	£15
'Turret' room: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2023	£35
'Turret' room: 01 Mar - 31 Oct 2024	£39

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

The Crusoe, Lower Largo (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2023	£102	£190
01 Apr - 30 Jun 2023	£149	£284
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2023	£162	£311
01 Sep - 31 Oct 2023	£115	£217
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2024	£112	£209
01 Apr - 30 Jun 2024	£165	£315
01 Jul - 31 Aug 2024	£180	£345
01 Sep - 31 Oct 2024	£127	£239

Spindrift Guest House, Anstruther (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2023	£68	£136
01 Apr - 31 Oct 2023	£90	£180
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2024	£75	£150
01 Apr - 31 Oct 2024	£99	£198

Rufflets St Andrews, St Andrews (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2023	£162	£311
01 Apr - 30 Apr 2023	£206	£398
01 May - 30 Sep 2023	£217	£420
01 Oct - 31 Oct 2023	£206	£398
01 Mar - 31 Mar 2024	£180	£345
01 Apr - 30 Apr 2024	£230	£445
01 May - 30 Sep 2024	£240	£465
01 Oct - 31 Oct 2024	£230	£445

Connecting travel

Prices below are based on 2 people travelling together. If you are travelling solo or as a party of 3 or more and our arrangements include a taxi, please contact us for prices; additional passengers often pay less.

Where a price range is given, the price you pay depends on your date of travel.

Connecting travel options - via Edinburgh

Outward route	Price per person	Latest arrival time
taxi Edinburgh airport to hotel (1h)	£42-£46	flexible
taxi Edinburgh Waverley station to hotel (1h20)	£60-£66	flexible

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest departure time
taxi hotel to Edinburgh airport (1h30)	£66-£73	flexible
taxi hotel to Edinburgh Waverley station (1h40)	£78-£86	flexible

Connecting travel options - via Leuchars station

Outward route
not recommended in this direction

Homeward route	Price per person	Earliest departure time
taxi hotel to Leuchars station (0h15)	included	flexible

Connecting travel options - via Markinch station

Outward route	Price per person	Latest arrival time
taxi Markinch station to hotel (0h20)	£6-£7	flexible

Homeward route
not recommended in this direction

What is included

6 nights
1 dinner
6 breakfasts
luggage transported
route notes and maps
GPS navigation

Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

Mr J Paul

USA

01 October 2023

We had an enjoyable trip to Scotland. First we followed the Fife Coastal Path from Lower Largo to Saint Andrews. This was our first time doing a Level 1 walk, but we needn’t have worried about it being too easy. The varied terrain and weather supplied sufficient challenges. The scenery was dramatic, the accommodations and food excellent, and the people very friendly. This part of the holiday involved a number of bus transfers, and we found them to be punctual. They also took cash and gave change. We undertook the optional ascent of Largo Law on a fine day and found the views excellent. It was quite steep, and we were thankful to have our hiking poles. The Crusoe is perched by the Firth of Forth and the water laps against the hotel at high tide. They have a good restaurant. In Pittenweem on the way to Anstruther, the Larachmhor Tavern is a good spot for a lunch break. Anstruther's Spindrift Guest House was cosy and welcoming. The Scottish Fisheries Museum is quite interesting even to nonfish. Somehow it seemed bigger on the inside than on the outside. Restaurants in Anstruther tend toward fish & chips, but there are other options. We had a pleasant Indian meal at the Eastern Touch. It was a wet slog getting to Saint Andrews, though the scenery continued fine. The Rufflets Hotel wisely put us up in the Gate House where we had room to dry out. Their restaurant was probably our favorite of the trip. It's a longish but pleasant park-like walk into Saint Andrews from the hotel. You also can shorten things by catching a bus that stops at Little Carron Gardens.

The Level 2 part of the holiday was inland. The Balnearn in Aberfeldy was another pleasant guest house. We had good dinners at KB's Italian Kitchen and the Upstairs Restaurant at the Townhouse. The Birks of Aberfeldy was a charming circular walk that you can begin either from the guest house or from the village. Flooding prevented us from completing a walk to Castle Menzies, so we hoofed it over to the Dewar’s Distillery and did a bit of gift shopping. Our itinerant walk to Pitlochry involved some improvisation owing to high water in the Tay. The Highland Chocolatier was a good stopping point for a rest and a bit of hot chocolate. The Knockendarroch Hotel in Pitlochry allowed us to choose our accommodation, and we opted for a modern room in the Larch House. They have an excellent restaurant. We walked to, but not up Ben Vrackie (it was very windy that day), as well as doing a nice circular one that passed by the Edradour distillery. One highlight of the trip was the whiskey tasting at Robertsons in Pitlochry. Whiskey master John took us through the ins and outs and what-have-yous of single malt Scotch. We were the only couple doing the scotch tasting, but at our table some other folks were doing a gin tasting, so we got the benefit of that presentation as well. The final itinerant walk was to Blair Atholl, a nice walk, though on a fair amount on tarmac. We stayed at the Old Manse in a smallish modern room in a separate building and were happy to have all our meals at their restaurant. Blair Castle and gardens were great. The circuit through the moors and forests of Glen Banvie was a pleasant final walk.

We finished in Edinburgh at the Nira Caledonia. It’s in a quiet neighborhood but within walking distance of all the attractions including the Royal Botanic Garden. On the day we went to the Castle it was closed owing to weather. The hotel’s restaurant was closed as well, except for breakfast, so we had fine dinners at Noto, Fishers in the City, Côte, and Dulse, all of them nearby.

INNTRAVEL NOTE: These customers combined our walks Fife's Coastal Kingdom and Heart of Scotland with our Edinburgh City add-on
Bob Delaney

28 June 2023

We arrived on the early flight from Bristol and we were able to do one of the optional walks as an addition. The weather was beautiful, sunny with a stong wind at our back and little reason to stray from the coastal path. High tide didn't seem to present the obstacle warned about in the notes but the sea was very calm and it was not a spring tide. We didn't see any of the marine wildlife promised but the scenary and wildflowers were spectacular. Not much in Largo itself and I wasn't keen on Anstruther (except for the fishing museum) but Elie, Crail and St Andrews were lovely. Unless you lke fish and chips, not many places to eat in Anstruter, the Boathouse closed last October and the Bank was rough. The Haven pub at Cellardyke was realy good for lunch en-route. The bus service is good if expensive (travel card not accepted in Scotland) and something of a white-knuckle ride. They don't always run to the timetable and the online timetable doesn't always match with the one posted at each bus-stop, the 16:34 from Elie didn't arrive.
Mr B Rochester

Witham

12 June 2023

Wonderful scenery on the walk and also from our room at the Crusoe.

Weather very hot, but we survived somehow.

Without a car, there was not much option to the Crusoe for meals. However, the Crusoe was great.

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.

How do self-guided walking holidays work?

We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
Do you provide GPS navigation?

Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
Do you accept bookings from customers outside the UK?

Yes, absolutely. Over the years, we have arranged a great many holidays in the UK for customers living in the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond.

If you've never travelled with us before, it's worth reading the web pages which explain how we can cater for customers who live outside the UK. The main thing to bear in mind is that our tour operator's licence doesn't allow us to book flights that originate outside the UK, and nor are we able to book rail travel in the UK, so we can't make travel arrangements for you, other than pre-arranging taxis between the local railway station and the accommodation – see the ‘prices & travel’ section for the options available.

For practical information about travelling to the UK, see the 'what do I need to know about travelling to England, Scotland and Wales?' question.
I’m travelling alone. Is there anything I need to know?

Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
How do I make a booking?

Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

More information about the booking process >
Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
Booking conditions >
Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
Is this holiday suitable for children?

We are happy to take bookings for families of teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved, but please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.

At the request of some of the accommodation providers on this holiday, we are unable to accept bookings for children aged under 16.
Can I take my dog?

Unfortunately not. The Inntravel team includes many dog owners, but the extra considerations – such as whether taxi firms accept dogs for transfers to the start of walks, whether routes cross private land on which dogs are not allowed, and proximity to a vet’s – would add another layer of complexity to what are already quite complex holidays.
I'm not from the UK. What do I need to know about travelling to England, Scotland & Wales?

As a minimum, you will need a passport to enter the UK; requirements vary according to your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. You’ll need to check requirements on the website of your own country’s government or that of the British government. Our essential travel information page provides links to websites where you can find out about the applicable requirements, along with general official travel advice.

English is the most widely spoken of several official languages; in Wales, for example, Welsh has equal status. The currency is the British pound (Scotland issues its own bank notes, but Bank of England notes can be used in Scotland and vice versa). The UK follows Greenwich Mean Time during autumn and winter, but switches to British Summer Time (GMT + 1) from late March until late October.