Beach camping in Fife
On a camping trip in Scotland's Kingdom of Fife, discover culture, the legacy of Scotland royalty, and the birthplace of golf.
Popular camping styles for Fife
Beach camping in Fife guide
Overview
In the east of Scotland just north of Edinburgh, the Kingdom of Fife offers lowland adventure in an idyllic landscape. Play 18 holes at some of the world’s most renowned golf courses, swing around the floor at a ceilidh, explore castle and cathedral ruins, and discover green rolling country that extends to a windswept seaside. The popular Fife Coastal Path runs 117 miles around Fife from the Forth Estuary to Tay Estuary. On a summer camping trip, catch the ferry in Anstruther to the Isle of May, a small nature reserve that guards the entrance to the Firth of Forth, or stop by the Crail Food Festival in June.
Where to go
St Andrews and North Fife
Green hills and empty coast dominate the northern corner of Fife, but the most popular spot is St Andrews. Walk the cobbled streets and cottage-lined picturesque village to emerge at the coastal 12th-century ruins of the St Andrews Cathedral and Castle. Golf fans should book well in advance if your heart is set on the legendary Old Course. The Fife Coastal Path continues to follow the North Sea past town, turning inland at Tentsmuir Point Nature Reserve to trace the River Tay to Newburgh.
East Neuk
Drive the coast road or walk the coastal path from Crail down to St Monans through a string of fishing villages that make up Fife’s colourful East Neuk. Pass through colourful harbours, parks, and explore seafront shops. Be sure to stop for fish and chips in Anstruther, visit the lighthouse at Elie, and explore the independent shops of Pittenweem before settling into your holiday park or campsite.
Glenrothes and Central Fife
The "new town" of Glenrothes is the main settlement of middle-Fife, but you’ll want to spend your time outside its bounds. Explore the mediaeval village of Falkland, home to a royal palace favoured by the Stuarts. The nearby Falkland Estate and Lomond Hills Regional Park offer plenty of pleasant walks in the highest terrain of this lowland Kingdom.
Kirkcaldy and the Coast
On the outskirts of the large town of Kirkcaldy, the 15th century ruins of Ravenscraig Castle loom above the Firth of Forth as a reminder of how ancient history can exist alongside the modern day. To the south and north of Kirkcaldy, the Fife Coastal Path connects a string of traditional harbour villages from Aberdour north to Dysart, continuing up toward the East Neuk.
Dunfermline and South Fife
The main corridor into the Kingdom of Fife from the south is along the Forth Bridges. The three graceful arcs span the Firth of Forth and three centuries of engineering ingenuity. The iconic red rail bridge, landing in North Queensferry, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dunfermline, a former capital of Scotland, is the largest town in Fife. Before heading to the countryside or coast, it’s worth a visit to Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, where, among other royal Scots, Robert the Bruce was laid to rest.
