Inverkeithing Welcomes Modern Day Pilgrims

Publish Date: Tuesday November 12, 2019

Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) is proud to manage Fife’s two long distance walking routes, the Fife Coastal Path and the new Fife Pilgrim Way. The Fife Coastal Path stretches for 117 miles from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Tay. The Fife Pilgrim Way is a 64-mile route across Fife, which follows a medieval pilgrims’ trail, starting at North Queensferry and Culross and finishing in St Andrews. Both of these fabulous routes pass through the historic town of Inverkeithing. Make sure to look out for the Fife Coastal Path and Fife Pilgrim Way route markers on lampposts and wooden posts!

Countless pilgrims started their journey to St Andrews at North Queensferry, named after the ‘Queen’s Ferry’. This ferry was established in the late-11th century by Queen Margaret of Scotland in order to give safe passage over the River Forth, she later became Saint Margaret for her charitable works with the poor.

From North Queensferry the routes pass through Jamestown and onto Hope Street. The routes take you past the Inverkeithing Civic Centre and the important historical building the Hospitium of the Grey Friars, which was the site of a community archaeology dig during the development phase of the Fife Pilgrim Way.

At the High Street the two routes divide with the Coastal Path heading down past the Mercat cross to the coast edge, and the Pilgrim Way heading up Hill Street to Castland Hill, then onto Dunfermline.

Inverkeithing played a key role in the medieval pilgrims’ journey, this historic pilgrim destination offered a wide range of places to relax, refresh, explore and gather provisions for the long journey ahead. The medieval Franciscan Friary provided all-important prayer and the historical Hospitium of the Grey Friars building, which still stands today, provided comfortable accommodation.

Today Inverkeithing is still providing a warm welcome for weary travellers walking these two great long distance routes. The Trust are currently working with businesses to have them included on FCCT website, to enable walkers to plan their trip before commencing their journey.

To find out more about the Fife Pilgrim Way, visit the FPW section of our website.