📌 Kingsbarns, Fife
★★★
This is a particularly varied section of the 117 mile Fife Coastal Path, beginning in quiet Kingsbarns and rounding three headlands (or nesses, to use the local word) before finishing in the comparable metropolis of St Andrews. 1:25000 OS maps show interesting patterns of rock layers along the coast here – the highlights in real life are Buddo Rock sea stack and the Rock and Spindle formation. Before this, you’ll already have passed the beautiful sandy bay at Salt Lake, a ruined mill and lade alongside wooded Kenly Water, and safely negotiated the brief mudbath near Boarhills. The hillier section after Buddo Rock also has a short tidal stretch, so pick your timings carefully to avoid an unplanned swim.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start on Main Street (A917), Kingsbarns village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 593121
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.299124,-2.659595
🏁 Finish on Abbey Street, St Andrews town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 512166
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.338957,-2.791086
🚌 Bus to Kingsbarns (walk start), & from St Andrews (walk finish)
🚗 Car parks / street parking (walk start / finish – charge at finish), with bus connection to other end of route (generally hourly – check times in advance)
📝 Key info
▶ 14 km / 9 mi | ▲ 140 m | ⌛ 4-4.5 hr | ⚠️ Linear route
Features: 🌊 Fife coastline; ⛰️ Buddo Rock; ⛰️ Rock and Spindle; 🏠 St Andrews ★★★★ & town sights
⬤ Moderate | Obvious path but tiring going due to undulating terrain. Some mud, especially on the inland section. ⚠️ Section before Rock and Spindle is tidal – be aware of tide times.
Download file for GPS➡️ Westbound linear walk: start – Kingsbarns Beach – then Fife Coastal Path to finish via Babbet Ness – Salt Lake – Boarhills – Buddo Rock & Ness – Kinkell Ness & Rock and Spindle – East Beach – St Andrews & town sights
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Seagulls & rock pool life.
Weather: Sunny with a strong westerly wind; heavy showers around, but none overhead.
October 2014
