Coast along the peaceful paths

Leven to Lower Largo, Fife

During the summer months my thoughts tend to turn to lengthier walks and, in particular, the country’s longdistance paths, of which there are now 29 routes clustered under the banner of “Scotland’s Great Trails”. While the relatively new Fife Pilgrim Way is tempting, I have always had a hankering to complete the kingdom’s more established 117-mile coastal path.

Over the years, I have broken it down into bits and must now have covered most of the ground on days out, and this hike is no different, following sections of the coastal path, including a fine swathe of beach, between Leven, Lundin Links and Lower Largo, returning by Silverburn Park.

A strong wind was blowing off the water when I arrived at Leven Beach, my starting point, so most folk who had ventured out were well-wrapped, walking dogs or striding purposefully along the front. Paddling and sandcastle building awaited a warmer front.

There are various car parks along the Promenade, and I opted to set out from the one at the eastern end of the road, by Leven Beach Holiday Park, from where a path dips directly to the sand.

Ahead of me, Largo Bay stretched east towards Ruddons Point, Shell Bay and, jutting out into the Firth of Forth, Kincraig Point, a prominent headland of cliffs, crags and caves. Inland, the distinctive cone shape of Largo Law echoed its ancient volcanic roots.

Battling head-long into the gusty breeze, I quickly left the crowds behind, content to wander on in my own wee world towards Lundin Links where smooth sand scattered with stranded jellyfish gave way to a rockier foreshore.

Beyond a pair of wartime bunkers nestling in the dunes, a sandy path rose above the high water mark, guiding me through scrubby woodland and into Lower Largo where I paused for a quick bite by the river mouth harbour, admiring the striking four-arch former railway viaduct towering over it.

After my brief breather, a little to the west, in Lundin Links, I picked up the old railway line where it runs alongside the Fife Coastal Path, past the local golf

thecouriermagazine clubhouse and car park. The trackbed soon peters and, after a short walk along village streets bounding the golf course, the waymarked trail crosses the fairways (look out for play in either direction), returning to the coastline.

Crossing a trickling stream, the path leads on along the top of the low dunes, bristling with spiky marram grass and a line of concrete wartime tank traps now firmly embedded in the sand.

These break briefly to allow another small stream to exit across the sand and here I turned inland, a path cutting across to Silverburn Park, once the private wooded policies and gardens of 19th Century Silverburn House.

Home to the paper-making Russell family, the property was gifted to the town council in 1973 and, run by Fife Council for many years, the park is now a place for relaxation and enjoyment.

Beyond an old flax mill and, in the row of quaint red brick cottages opposite, a small café, there was a walled garden and pond to explore ahead of my return to Leven, with renewed energy for an allout assault on the Fife Coastal Path. ROUTE

1. Descend path to beach, turn left and walk along beach to Lundin Links.

2. Pass wartime pillboxes and bear left up sandy path to Fife Coastal Path (FCP) sign. Continue straight ahead along path then Drum Park to Drummochy Road. Turn right and descend to harbour.

3. Walk back up Drummochy Road, passing mini roundabout.

4. Turn left along Victoria Road and, where road swings right, continue down path to golf club. Follow FCP past clubhouse and along edge of course, turning left along Links Road.

5. Go through metal gate, follow FCP across golf course then bear right along coastal path.

6. Turn right (signed Café) and cross golf course to Silverburn Park.

7. Enter through gate, bear left across car park, and follow track past café, walled garden and pond, then continue ahead on path to Leven.

8. Pass clubhouse, bear left down path, through bollards, to East Links and turn right.

9. Go left along surfaced path to Promenade then left to return to start.