Burntisland – Flying Over the Forth on an E-Foil
A few hours.
The route
An e-foil is a surfboard with a quiet electric propeller and a wing under the water, and once it picks up speed the board lifts clear of the sea and you fly.
eFoil Scotland teaches it off Burntisland on the Fife shore of the Forth, with Edinburgh across the water, and talks to you through a radio in your helmet the whole time. Afterwards there's the town's long sandy beach to wander. It suits swimmers aged ten and over who fancy something new.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book Group Taster with eFoil Scotland
Book the Group Taster with eFoil Scotland online or on 01592 303102 before you go, £115 a head at the time of writing for two hours, ages 10 and over and able to swim 25 metres; it publishes no season, so ring about winter dates.
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The day
Burntisland
Two hours taking turns on an electric hydrofoil board with an instructor in your ear, then a walk along the sands.
About three hoursAbout 1 mile on foot
eFoil Scotland
eFoil Scotland is based on Lammerlaws Road in Burntisland, five minutes' walk from the station, and its office answers every day from 9am to 6pm on 01592 303102. The Group Taster is two hours with an instructor, three people sharing a board and taking turns, for £115 a head at the time of writing. If you're fewer than three, they offer your date to others to fill the board. Wetsuit, lifejacket, booties, gloves and a helmet with a built-in radio are all provided; bring a towel, thin socks and swimwear. You need to be 10 or over, able to swim 25 metres and tread water for five minutes, and weigh about 110 kg at most. The spot can change with the weather, and they'll tell you where in advance. They don't publish a season, so ring about winter dates. To see the Forth bridges, the Forth Bridge Tour launches from South Queensferry and runs under all three, for up to two people at £290 a head.
10 min on foot
Burntisland Beach
An attraction
Afterwards it's about 10 minutes' walk from Lammerlaws onto Burntisland's beach, a broad curve of sand on the Forth with the Links and the town behind it and Edinburgh across the water. It's an easy, level stroll for as long as you like, and there are car parks by the Links if you've come by car.
If it rains
You're in a wetsuit on the sea, so rain hardly matters; wind may move the session, and eFoil Scotland tells you where in advance. The beach walk can be short.
Photographs by Brian Muir and roberto gissepi via Google