Exploring Fife’s Hidden Corners

Dysart Harbour

An attraction

Dysart Harbour is typical of fishing villages along the Fife coast, but much quieter than those found in the East Neuk. This was once a busy trading port, exporting both coal and salt to the Low Countries and bringing orange pantiles back as ballast that can still be seen in the surrounding buildings. The area is so rich in coal that you’ll see chunks of it lying around on the beach!

Leven Beach

An attraction

For a more impressive beach, carry on around the coast to Leven to a wide stretch of golden sand that’s often surprisingly empty. Once a busy Victorian tourist destination, the views are magnificent, stretching across the Firth of Forth and best enjoyed with a coffee from Colliers Coffee Roasters!

Standing Stones of Lundin

An attraction

Rising out of the Lundin Ladies Golf Course, three ancient standing stones make up the oldest golf obstacles in the world. They were once believed to be graves of Roman Generals or Viking Chiefs, but now we know them to be over 4000 years old! The Standing Stones of Lundin are enormous, around 17 feet tall and covered in lichen to add to their atmosphere. To reach them, ask permission at the golf course starting box and they’ll give you instructions! Lower Largo Lower Largo is famous for its connection to Robinson Crusoe. This small village was home to Alexander Selkirk, a real figure who was marooned on an island in the late 1600s for over four years! His statue can be found on a house built where he grew up. Largo has more to offer than a story and a statue though. It’s a beautiful little village, dotted with coloured houses and small art installations, with the old railway viaduct dramatically running through the middle!

The Ship Inn, Elie

Food and drink

The Ship Inn, overlooking the beach at Elie, is one of Fife’s most famous pubs. They rightly focus on local produce, so seafood features highly on the menu, but there’s plenty else to enjoy too!

Kellie Castle & Garden

An attraction

Moving away from the coast, Kellie Castle has been extended over the centuries, but its oldest tower dates to the 14th century! It’s packed with history and ghost stories, but there’s another side to Kellie. Restored by the Lorimer family from 1878, it’s part historic castle, part modern home. Plant lovers will be just as happy here, wandering through the walled garden and browsing the honesty shop with cuttings and vegetables!

Dunino Den

An attraction

Hidden within the woodland behind a small church, descending into Dunino Den feels like stepping into another world. While we have no written evidence, some believe this place was a pre-Christian sacred space. A small pool cut into the rock above the den, along with carvings on the surrounding rocks, add to the theories. Regardless of its heritage, many people find Dunino to be a powerful place with a strong atmosphere.

Hill of Tarvit Mansion House

An attraction

Surrounded by rolling countryside, Hill of Tarvit is like a time capsule offering an incredible glimpse into Edwardian life. Built in the early 1900s as a small, but lavish, home for the Sharp family, the mansion was only lived in for two generations before being gifted to the National Trust for Scotland. As well as touring the inside of the house, the grounds and gardens make a great walk. The Edwardian Laundry is always a highlight, showing what was state of the art 100 years ago. If you have the energy, a hike to the monument at the top of the hill gives incredible views of the Howe of Fife!

Lindores Abbey Distillery

An attraction

Lindores Abbey occupies an important place in Scottish history. It was here, in 1494, that the earliest record of Scotch Whisky appears, when Friar John Cor was ordered to produce some for King James IV. The ruins of the abbey itself are free to explore, but next door you’ll find a modern distillery celebrating its remarkable heritage. Take a tour or just enjoy a dram in the bar as the perfect way to end a day exploring Fife!

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