FIFE COAST BY RAIL

Edinburgh – Dundee / Perth train service runs to a 30-minute frequency through the day, hourly in the evenings and on Sundays.

Coastal villages are also served by the 7/7A bus, which runs to a 30-minute frequency through the day, hourly in the evenings and on Sundays.

Inverkeithing

Change here for services to/from Dunfermline (see below for pub information) and the Fife Circle.

Dalgety Bay

Leave the station and head West to the roundabout, then head North along Main Street into the village of Hillend. The Hillend Tavern is located halfway along on the right. Current Kingdom of Fife and Scottish Pub of the Year, with 4 real ales available.

Back on the train, a few minutes along the line we arrive at

Aberdour

On leaving the station, head West along the High Street. On the left is the Forresters Arms, a traditional village local with pool, darts, and changing guest beers. On the right is the Aberdour Hotel, which serves a changing guest beer during the summer months.

Back on the train, and the nest stop is

Burntisland

Leave the station and head towards the High Street, head East passing numerous interesting independent shops and continue along Kinghorn Road, past Burntisland Links. On the right you will find the Burntisland Sands Hotel, changing guest beers are available, along with good food, and a large beer garden.

Retrace your steps to the station, or more conveniently catch the 7/7A bus along the coast to

Kinghorn

On leaving the station, head up Station Brae to the High Street, turn right and head East. On the right you will find the Crown (Middle) Tavern, a village local with pool, darts, and two changing guest beers from independent breweries.

After a couple of pints, turn right and continue along to Trongate, turn right and head down the hill to the Auld House, a traditional two-roomed pub serving Deuchars IPA and sometimes a second beer.

Return to the railway station and continue to Kirkcaldy (see below for pub information). This marks the end of this ale trail, but you can continue along the line to North Fife and Dundee, as follows.

Markinch

Leave the train here for bus services to Glenrothes (see below for pub information), service 43 runs to a 30-minute frequency.

Cupar

Leave the station and follow the signpost to the Town Centre, walk along Millgate and continue along Crossgate until you reach Bonnygate. Turn right and head West, on the right is the Boudingate, three regularly changing guest ales from independent Scottish breweries are usually available.

Leuchars

Leave the train here for bus services to St Andrews (see below for pub information), 15-minute frequency service 99A/B/C/D.

LEVEN to ST ANDREWS

The 95 or X60 bus provides an hourly service between Leven and St Andrews.

Lower Largo

Only a short 8-10 minutes bus journey from Leven, you will find two pubs in lower largo, the Railway Inn, and the Crusoe Hotel. The Railway Inn can be found on the left which has 4/5 ales on at a time or the Crusoe Hotel on the left with 1 ale.

Once back on the bus the next stop is

Elie

look for a sign for the Ship Inn a lovely old style pub with great views over the sea. Recently refurbished and under new management, 3 ales can be found.

Back on the bus, only a short distance along the road to

Pittenweem

Back to the bus, five minutes to Pittenweem look for West End bar and Gantry opposite the bus stop. Another very nice pub with warming coal fire and on tap we have changing guest ales.

Back on the bus, after a 5-10 minutes trip, you will find yourself in

Anstruther

On entering Anstruther, depart from the bus and walk down the hill and you will find your first pub the Dreel Tavern on the left (please check opening times, as summer and winter times vary). 2/3 ales can be found on sale here.

On leaving the Dreel Tavern, follow the road down the hill, around the corner and over the bridge, once over the bridge head up the hill and the Bank can be found on the left on High Street East. Set in the old bank, 2/3 ales can be found on

Once you have finished with Bank, head right and follow the road down to the harbour. The Ship is a traditional waterside pub with views over the harbour, and changing guest ales.

X60 can be caught from here either onwards to St Andrews, or back to Kirkcaldy.

ELIE, PITTENWEEM, and ANSTUTHER

The X60 Edinburgh to St Andrews bus runs via Kirkcaldy, Leven and Anstruther, with an hourly service.

Twenty minutes after leaving Leven we get off the bus at Elie, look for a sign for the Ship Inn a lovely old style pub with great views over the sea, Deuchars usually on.

Back to the bus, five minutes to Pittenweem look for West End bar and Gantry opposite the bus stop. Another very nice pub with warming coal fire and on tap we have changing guest ales.

On leaving the pub we have a choice, a twenty minute walk or five minute bus trip to Anstruther. Coming down the hill into Anstruther we have the Dreel Tavern on the left, watch ones head when entering we have low doors and ceilings. A nice two roomed pub with cosy fire, one regular and three guest ales on tap, and good homemade food cooked by the boss.

A few yards along on the right we find The Bank, decor typical of a bank, very nice, guest ales and food of the same quality.

Now we head for the harbour, we are looking for the Ship Tavern but have to pass a few chip shops on the way, very tempting. The Ship is a traditional waterside pub with views over the harbour, two changing guest ales and banter with the locals is good fun.

A short walk to Cellerdyke we come to Barco. A very modern , trendy establishment selling one guest ale.

Further along we have The Haven Bar & Restaurant ,it also has views over the harbour but a different one, The Haven has one font selling guest ales.

Now back to the bus, you could retrace your steps or go on to St. Andrews.

ST ANDREWS

The X 24 Glasgow to St Andrews runs every hour via Dunfermline, Glenrothes and Cupar.

Turn right on leaving the Bus Station and walk along till you reach a mini roundabout here you will find the Whey Pat Tavern. A good place to start, five ales on sale, two regular and three guest and nachos a speciality.

On leaving cross the road and walk along South Street past all the nice little shops to Bell Street. Aikmans Bar is not far along on the left, you can choose between the café bar at street level, or the more traditional cellar bar below. Both serve 3 real ales, mainly from Scottish microbreweries, along with a wide range of continental beers.

Return to South Street and pass more interesting shops (even the cheese one), after a book shop on the corner you will find the Criterion. This is a very smart pub with four or five ales available. The Criterion is also famous for its homemade pies.

When leaving the pub turn right then right again at the church, and walk to Market Street where you will see the Central Bar. An excellent island bar where historical brewery mirrors adorn the walls. Drink wise we are spoilt for choice with up to three ales on, no need to rush.

Now back to the Bus Station, turn right and walk along Market Street to City Road.

There are more pubs but we will keep them for another day.

GLENROTHES

Base yourself in the Golden Acorn in Glenrothes as it next to the bus station. The Acorn has four ales on two regular and two guest,all in good condition. First we get a bus for Leslie and get off at the Fettykil Fox at the Leslie roundabout it has a nice theme on the old style with wood plaster etc. with two ales on tap.

Next carry on along the High Street where you will find the Burns Tavern, a traditional two roomed pub serving Landlord and a guest ale.

Now back to the bus station or the Acorn then get on the 42 or 64 bus to Freuchie. Walk along the High Street till you reach the Albert Tavern. Watch your head when entering once inside you will receive a warm welcome from the staff, four changing guest ales on sale all in perfect condition.

Back to road end and bus to Acorn where you started.

DUNFERMLINE

We start our trail at the East Port Bar a short walk from the Bus Station, the bar is at No 7 East Port at the top end of the High Street. A busy town centre pub, with 4 real ales, usually from local breweries.

From here we catch a bus a No 19 or a No7 will take us to Aberdour Road, (or you could walk down the New Row and St Leonards Street to Aberdour Road) a short walk will take us to the Pitbauchlie House Hotel, around to the left we will find Sams Bar serving Directors and one guest ale. Now retrace your steps back to the High Street, walk down till you find the Guildhall & Linen Exchange, a large Wetherspoons with a good selection of real ales.

Next up to the Bus Station to find a No 76 bus for Crombie, they run every hour. We are going to the Ship Inn at Limekilns, the bus stops opposite the pub on the waterfront. Another gem of a pub off the beaten track, it has been one of Fife's top pubs for years, they serve up to four guest ales.

Then head back East to the Main Street, where you will find the Bruce Arms. A range of real ales are available, along with food and a beer garden.

After spending an hour or two depending on bus times it's back to the Bus Station, come out the back door and walk along past the taxi rank, second corner on the right we have the Commercial Inn. This is a very friendly pub selling eight real ales four regular and four guest, they also sell good value bar meals.

KIRKCALDY

Arriving at the Bus or Railway Station, head for the town centre, turn left and walk along the High Street to the end of the pedestrian precinct.

Turn left up Kirk Wynd. On your right is the Robert Nairn our first stop. This busy spoons sells six ales all in good condition.

When finished there go back to the High Street and turn left again, a short walk will take you to Betty Nicols, with two hand pulls usually selling Jarl.

On leaving Betty Nicols, carry on along the High Street through traffic lights and opposite the harbour you will find the Harbour Bar. This is a gem of a pub, again serving six ales.

From here the bus station is a five minute walk and train station ten minutes.