Leuchars to Wormit Bay

Work is due to commence at Tentsmuir to clear brash and stumps from areas of dune that border the National Nature Reserve. The areas are along the north coast where there was significant storm damage. This work will commence from January 13th 2025 and we hope to have it concluded by March 28th 2025. There will be no work on weekends so diversions will not apply. There will be heavy machinery operating and areas of dune and some paths will be unsafe to access. Please be aware of this when visiting. As with any significant forestry operation, it’s unsafe to have visitors walking in the area or dogs running about off leash. Follow on site signage and instruction to keep safe. The machine operators might not be able to see or hear anyone so it’s imperative that visitors take heed of any closure signage and fencing and observe and respect the exclusion zone. The work will be done in phases to reduce disturbance to visitors. Please follow diversion routes to avoid working zones. Dog walkers and visitors coming from Tayport will still be able to access Tentsmuir but should follow any diversion signs.

The Leuchars to Wormit Bay section of the path takes in the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve, managed by Forest and Land Scotland and NatureScot, home to a diverse variety of wildlife including birds, bats, red squirrels, seals and butterflies. The path thenwinds through beautiful Tayport village and passes the Tay Road Bridge before finally arriving at Wormit Bay.

The section from Guardbridge to Tentsmuir skirts the military base and into Leuchars with its fine 12th century Romanesque church. The route passes the privately owned Earlshall Castle and crosses Earlshall Muir, the last remnant of the once extensive wild dune lands that dominated this coast until the early 1920s and the advent of commercial forestry.

Boardwalks cross the old marshlands leading into Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve. From Tentsmuir the long-distance trail parallels the coast passing a large ice house, once used to store salmon.

Once the path drops out of the forest and onto Tayport Common, there are great views across the river to Broughty Ferry Castle. Head on to Tayport and follow the tarmac disused railway line to the Tay Bridge.

The Tay Bridge to Wormit Bay section is easy walking along pavements and runs along the sparsely populated North Coast of Fife. The landscape and the resulting land use in this part of Fife are quite different from the rest of the county.

The next section is Wormit Bay to Newburgh.