Lower Largo to Elie – Shell Beach, Dunes and a Clifftop
About 6.9 miles on foot.
This is the long, quiet stretch of the Fife Coastal Path between Robinson Crusoe's village and the beaches of Elie.
It's 11 km one way, mostly flat, along sand and dunes with one climb over the cliffs at Kincraig Point. Lunch is at the Ship Inn where the walk ends, and the 95 bus takes you back to the car.
- Time
- About three hours one way: 11 km (6.9 miles) by our own measure on the map. Mostly flat, on sand and dune paths, with one climb over Kincraig Point. The 95 bus back takes 20 minutes.
- The path
- Soft sand, dune paths and a climb over the cliffs at Kincraig Point.
- Where to start
- The Old Station car park in Lower Largo, free. The Temple car park, a little way east along the shore, is free too and has public toilets.
- When to go
- All year in daylight. At high tide take the dune path through Dumbarnie Links. On weekdays the 95 bus back leaves Elie at 3.34pm and 4.34pm. From November to January set off by 10.30am.
- Dogs
- Kept close on the golf links at Earlsferry and Elie, on the waymarked path.
- Children
- Eleven kilometres is a long walk for children, and there are cliff edges at Kincraig Point.
- Toilets
- Public toilets at the Temple car park in Lower Largo and in Elie. None between the two.
- Before you set out
- At high tide leave the beach and take the dune path through Dumbarnie Links. Cliff edges at Kincraig Point. The Elie Chain Walk at the foot of the cliff is not this walk.
The walk
Park in the Old Station car park in Lower Largo, which is free. The Fife Coastal Path runs east from the village round Largo Bay to Elie. By our own measure on the map it's 11 km, just under seven miles, one way, and it takes about three hours. Lower Largo was the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, the castaway behind Robinson Crusoe, and the path leaves it along the old railway line. Then comes the long sweep of the bay.
At low tide the way is along the sand. At high tide a second path keeps to the dunes of Dumbarnie Links, a nature reserve of lime-rich sand that is good for wild flowers, butterflies and birds. Past Shell Bay the path climbs to Kincraig Point, the one hill of the day, with the Forth spread out below. Take the path over the top. The other way, round the foot of the cliff, is the Elie Chain Walk, a tidal scramble on chains that is no part of this walk.
From the point it's down across the golf links, keeping to the waymarked path, and on by Earlsferry to Elie. Keep dogs close on the links. To get back to the car, Stagecoach's 95 bus leaves Elie High Street for Lower Largo at 12.34pm, 3.34pm, 4.34pm, 5.44pm and 6.39pm on weekdays, and takes 20 minutes. At weekends the times differ, so read the timetable before you set out. From November to January, set off by 10.30am.
If it rains
There's no shelter round the bay and the climb over Kincraig Point is exposed to the wind. This is a walk for a dry day.
Along the way
About 2 hr 11 min on foot
The Ship Inn, Elie
Lunch
Lunch is at the Ship Inn, on Elie's main beach, where the walk comes to an end. It's served from noon every day, until 2.45pm from Monday to Saturday and through to 8pm on Sunday, and there's a children's menu. Book a table on the inn's website. Ask for the ground-floor restaurant if you have a dog with you or if anyone can't manage stairs, as the first floor has no lift. The bar is open all afternoon if you get in after lunch has finished. Over Christmas and New Year, check before going.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book lunch at the Ship Inn, Elie
Book a table at the Ship Inn on its website: lunch is served every day from 12pm, Monday to Saturday until 2.45pm and on Sunday through to 8pm.
For further reading, before you go.