Although I couldn’t be happier to attend university in a town as breathtakingly beautiful and charming as our own, even the most enthusiastic St Andrews lover can understand the feeling of monotony that can sometimes build after spending weekend upon weekend on the same three streets. Luckily, St Andrews is located in Fife, a county known for its quaint fishing villages surrounded by astounding natural beauty. With that in mind, I’m here to provide a little variation for your typical day off, so bring your bathing suit and come hungry; we’re exploring Fife!
- Sunrise Walk at Kingsbarns
Kingsbarns is a beautiful village 6.5 miles southeast of St Andrews, about a 15-minute drive. The town is known for its golf course on a stunningly beautiful beach, making it the perfect morning (or evening!) walk destination. The path extends into the Fife Coastal Path, so you can really walk it for as long as you fancy. Warning: it does get hilly, so bring comfortable shoes.
- Sauna & Swim
In my humble opinion, no day of Fife exploration is complete without a dip in the North Sea and an ensuing sauna session. Wild Scottish Sauna has locations not only in Kingsbarns, but Eden Springs, Forbes of Kingennie, Elie, and even St Andrews. If you’re already in Kingsbarns, you might as well take advantage of their sauna’s exceptional view, but you really can’t go wrong. Sessions typically cost about £17 for one hour, which I find to be the perfect length; you can warm yourself up, sprint into the water for a dip, and then go straight back to the sauna. I always find it to be an incredibly invigorating experience, whether you’re looking to make some friends in the sauna or just to sit and contemplate.
- Breakfast at Café Baern
Of all the adorable cafes I’ve frequented in Fife (of which there are many), none have outdone Baern in Anstruther. A twenty-minute drive from Kingsbarns, Baern sits at the edge of the village of St Monans, which in turn is a part of the larger town of Anstruther. The interiors are gorgeous, and the food is even better. Make sure not to miss the cardamom bun with orange zest, any of the fresh-baked focaccia, and of course, the delightful coffee.
- Explore the Bowhouse Market
Fair warning – Bowhouse is only open one weekend a month, so it can be tricky to time a visit. The trip is worth your time, though. Vendors sell items ranging from sausage rolls to local honey to freshly baked croissants, and a host of food trucks provide a wider range of cuisines. Bowhouse sits in the same building in St Monans as Baern, so it’s perfectly located for a post-café grocery run.
- Walk Around St Monans
While you’re in St Monans, you should make sure not to miss a quick stroll around the village. Like any Fife coastal town, it offers panoramic ocean views and quaint architecture. If you’re in the mood for a longer walk, go past the St Monans churchyard and head onto the town’s section of the Fife Coastal Path. (As you probably know, the Fife Coastal Path stretches for over 100 miles up the Fife Coast and is a popular walking destination in St Andrews.)
After you’ve sufficiently stretched your legs, you might be starting to grow peckish again. (As you can see, this list is very food-motivated.) Luckily, St Monans offers up one of the best scones I’ve had in Fife. Stop in the cafe sweetly named the ‘Giddy Gannet’ for a scone (I like the raspberry white chocolate) and some tea. Pro tip: get your scone warmed up. It’s a game-changer.
- Walk Around Crail
After a lovely morning in St Monans, it’s time to pack up and head to another classic Fife town: Crail. My two most essential stops in Crail are 1) Crail Pottery and 2) Crail Harbour Gallery & Tearoom.
Crail Pottery is a family business that’s been a beloved fixture of the town for over sixty years. Every piece of their beautiful stoneware is hand-thrown on site, and I love to pop in, even if just for a quick browse.
Crail Harbour Gallery & Tearoom, meanwhile, is another cafe on this list that I dream of. Often. Sitting atop a cliff that overlooks the North Sea, it feels like a pretty otherworldly place to sip on your cup of English Breakfast. The carrot cake is delectable, but the real attraction here is the spectacular physical beauty that surrounds the cafe. Bring a journal or a book and soak up your surroundings!
- Dinner at Kinneuchar Inn
By this time, you’ve had a full day of adventures and are probably getting drowsy. We have one final stop together, though, so I hope you’re hungry. We end the night at the Kinneuchar Inn in the village of Kilconquhar. If you’re not feeling stuffed to the brim, try their chicken, bacon, and leek pie – a UK classic – or the dayboat brill. (I find the abundance of fresh fish to be a very underrated aspect of Scottish cuisine!)
Ultimately, exploring the Fife coast outside of St Andrews can be a really beautiful way to slow down and experience Scottish culture, whether you’re swimming, eating, or doing something else entirely. See you out there!