St Margaret’s Way, Scotland
July 19, 2024 - July 26, 2024
St Margaret’s Way, Scotland | Level: Mod | P289
The medieval pilgrimage route from Edinburgh to St. Andrews is known as St. Margaret’s Way because Saint Queen Margaret of Scotland (1045 – 1093) initiated the ferry across the River Forth to assist pilgrims travelling this route from Edinburgh to St. Andrews. During her lifetime she also built various monasteries, churches and pilgrim albergues.
We start St Margaret’s Way from St. Mary’s Cathedral in the centre of Edinburgh, mostly on bike paths and quiet roads to the Forth Road Bridge. From there onwards we’ll enjoy some scenic coastal tracks and former pilgrim trails through local communities, to the famous ancient town of St Andrews. The total cammino is about 140 km from Edinburgh to St Andrews.
Day 0: We arrive in Edinburgh. Depending on the time of arrival, we’ll factor in an urban trek in Edinburgh.
Day 1: Edinburgh to South Queensferry (17km): Mostly on quiet roads and bike tracks out of Edinburgh to the famous Forth Road Bridge (Victorian era bridge), enjoying also views across the Forth river and the Fife coast. Along the Rocheid path we can also enjoy the secret garden.
Day 2: South Queensferry to Burntisland (20km): We start with a spectacular crossing the Forth Road bridge, hundreds of feet above the Firth on a special bike/walkway. The route then takes us down to North Queensferry, under the famous railway bridge where we join the Fife Coastal Path stopping in Burntisland for the night.
Day 3: Burntisland to Leven (24km): From Burntisland we walk along a short strip of main road ,with a pedestrian walkway alongside, returning to a quiet section of the Fife Coastal Path, past Kinghorn. And onwards to Kirkcaldy. From there we continue past the old Linoleum factory to the beach and the 15th century Ravencraig Castle. The route follows the Fife Coastal Path through fishing and coalmining villages to Lundin Links and Leven.
Day 4: Leven to Earlsferry (14km): From Leven we continue along the beach to the village of Largo, passing the harbour, the giant viaduct and the house commemorating Robinson Crusoe and onto the famous Largo Bay. Largo Bay takes us to Earlsferry. This was a famous landing place for pilgrims prior to the Reformation.
Day 5: Earlsferry to Crail (20km): From Earlsferry we continue along the Fife Coastal Path through several fishing villages including Anthruster (reportedly having the oldest fish and chips shop in the British Isles) until we reach Crail.
Day 6: Crail to St. Andrews (30km): We continue our last day from Crail along quite roads to St. Andrews on St Margaret’s Elbow along the Fife Coastal path through ancient fishing villages along beaches and over rocks until the spires of St Andrews come into view. The path continues up through the harbour into the precincts of the ruined cathedral.
Day 7: St. Andrews and return to Malta.
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