St Andrew's Way, Scotland ...thoughts?

[KJFSophie]

I've just returned from the Camino Ingles and am considering my next walk. Has anyone walked the St Andrews Way in Scotland ( I know there are a few various routes ) who might offer the pros and cons and perhaps some comparison to any of the Santiago routes?

 

[Bradypus]

I think that @Dael might have something useful to say if he sees this thread.

 

[Spice]

I've just returned from the Camino Ingles and am considering my next walk. Has anyone walked the St Andrews Way in Scotland ( I know there are a few various routes ) who might offer the pros and cons and perhaps some comparison to any of the Santiago routes?

check out "Darwin on the trail" in youtube. He was just there and he has a few videos about the trail.

 

[Former member 49149]

I've just returned from the Camino Ingles and am considering my next walk. Has anyone walked the St Andrews Way in Scotland ( I know there are a few various routes ) who might offer the pros and cons and perhaps some comparison to any of the Santiago routes?

Did I miss your comments on the Ingles???

 

[Womanontheway]

I've just returned from the Camino Ingles and am considering my next walk. Has anyone walked the St Andrews Way in Scotland ( I know there are a few various routes ) who might offer the pros and cons and perhaps some comparison to any of the Santiago routes?

Why not try St Cuthbert’s Way from Melrose to Holy Island (Lindisfarne)? Fabulous, walking it again next April.

 

[KJFSophie]

Did I miss your comments on the Ingles???

Were you looking for comments on the Ingles? LOL In a nutshell : far fewer pilgrims, far fewer accommodations, far fewer places to dine on the camino path, far fewer opportunities for mass/ churches/ communal celebration...but I think, THE loveliest walk into Santiago once the industrial zone is behind you.

I've enjoyed all of my walks for one reason or another...I create no expectations beforehand and try to extract the richness in each moment. ( I'm not yet home three days and am researching my next )

 

[Dael]

I've just returned from the Camino Ingles and am considering my next walk. Has anyone walked the St Andrews Way in Scotland ( I know there are a few various routes ) who might offer the pros and cons and perhaps some comparison to any of the Santiago routes?

Hi Sophie,
Happy to help.
Firstly I would point you in the direction of the ‘Fife Coast & Countryside Trust" website. They manage the two long distance footpaths in Fife. The online info is accurate and up to date.
Climate - the reason our landscape is green is because is rains a fair bit.
The St. Andrews Way is a recently opened route. It hasn’t yet bedded in and has little in the way of infrastructure supporting Pilgrims. The tracks etc are ancient but the Way is new. There are no dedicated Pilgrim overnight stops or bunkhouses as we call them here. Sad to say that there are few coffee stops enroute. Meeting a fellow pilgrim is a rare thing. I met one group of 6 and later a sole Walker, that apart, solitude. I would describe way marking as "quirky". For some reason the way is marked with very small signs and sometimes, to keep you on your toes, use a variation.
The Fife Coastal Way is a long established walk. Directions are simple - keep the sea on your right hand side,but there is also very good signing. There is much more in the way of infrastructure as you are passing through many more (fishing) villages which have, cafes, hotels, B&B’s etc. (Sorry still no bunkhouses).
Both walks can be started in North Queensferry and finished in St. Andrews.
i have walked both routes and would, without a shadow of a doubt, recommend the Coastal route.
I hope this helps. If you need any further info please get in touch.
Dael

 

[Gerard Murdoch]

I've just returned from the Camino Ingles and am considering my next walk. Has anyone walked the St Andrews Way in Scotland ( I know there are a few various routes ) who might offer the pros and cons and perhaps some comparison to any of the Santiago routes?

There are many Pilgrim routes in Scotland.
St Magnus Way. St Cuthberts Way, St Andrews Way Fife Pilgrim in Path and http://www.whithornway.org/ which is under construction. This 149 mile route takes you to Glasgow to Whithorn where St Ninian preached.
Leaving the historic City of Glasgow this route takes you on a historical journey through towns and villages, were you can walk on beautiful beaches. Scotland has so much to offer on long distance walks and Pilgrimage routes.

 

[Tamsin Grainger]

Hi, I live in Scotland as well as having walked in Spain, Austria etc. You will find the St Magnus Way and Fife Coastal Paths in detail on my blog plus the Berwickshire Coastal Path in parts. I haven't yet walked the St Andrews for the reasons the man above states. There are of course Airbnb and such places to stay if you do a lot of research, and you can camp as I did on Orkney if you can carry everything - technically you can pitch (and walk) anywhere in Scotland. May and Sep are the best months. Walking without a donkey is my blog name. Let me know if you try, and come and stay if you blow through Edinburgh!

 

[Liz from San Diego]

check out "Darwin on the trail" in youtube. He was just there and he has a few videos about the trail.

Darwin did a backpacking challenge called The TGO Challenge. It’s a cross country hike. Looked intense!. I don’t think that was the St Andrew’s Way hike.

 

[KJFSophie]

Hi Sophie,
Happy to help.
Firstly I would point you in the direction of the ‘Fife Coast & Countryside Trust" website. They manage the two long distance footpaths in Fife. The online info is accurate and up to date.
Climate - the reason our landscape is green is because is rains a fair bit.
The St. Andrews Way is a recently opened route. It hasn’t yet bedded in and has little in the way of infrastructure supporting Pilgrims. The tracks etc are ancient but the Way is new. There are no dedicated Pilgrim overnight stops or bunkhouses as we call them here. Sad to say that there are few coffee stops enroute. Meeting a fellow pilgrim is a rare thing. I met one group of 6 and later a sole Walker, that apart, solitude. I would describe way marking as "quirky". For some reason the way is marked with very small signs and sometimes, to keep you on your toes, use a variation.
The Fife Coastal Way is a long established walk. Directions are simple - keep the sea on your right hand side,but there is also very good signing. There is much more in the way of infrastructure as you are passing through many more (fishing) villages which have, cafes, hotels, B&B’s etc. (Sorry still no bunkhouses).
Both walks can be started in North Queensferry and finished in St. Andrews.
i have walked both routes and would, without a shadow of a doubt, recommend the Coastal route.
I hope this helps. If you need any further info please get in touch.
Dael

This is a great deal of help @Dael ....I suspected there would be rain, but are there milder/warmer months that may work better than others, or recommendations for months to avoid ( because of tourism crowds, big festivals consuming accommodations, feasts, etc ? ) I was looking at the Fife Coastal Way and your response puts me in the direction of researching that route more. Thank you !

 

[KJFSophie]

Hi, I live in Scotland as well as having walked in Spain, Austria etc. You will find the St Magnus Way and Fife Coastal Paths in detail on my blog plus the Berwickshire Coastal Path in parts. I haven't yet walked the St Andrews for the reasons the man above states. There are of course Airbnb and such places to stay if you do a lot of research, and you can camp as I did on Orkney if you can carry everything - technically you can pitch (and walk) anywhere in Scotland. May and Sep are the best months. Walking without a donkey is my blog name. Let me know if you try, and come and stay if you blow through Edinburgh!

Thank you...not much of a camper for medical reasons, so you info is quite useful. I'll be sure to look up " Walking without a donkey" Much appreciation @Tamsin Grainger

 

[Former member 49149]

This is a great deal of help @Dael ....I suspected there would be rain, but are there milder/warmer months that may work better than others, or recommendations for months to avoid ( because of tourism crowds, big festivals consuming accommodations, feasts, etc ? ) I was looking at the Fife Coastal Way and your response puts me in the direction of researching that route more. Thank you !

Re months to avoid: Midges and how to avoid them… - Walking advice from Walk Fife

Midges and how to avoid them… - Walking advice from Walk Fife

www.walkfife.com

And your new hat...

 

[Bradypus]

Re months to avoid: Midges and how to avoid them… - Walking advice from Walk Fife

I lived a substantial chunk of my life in Fife and just across the border in Clackmannanshire. Midges are not a major problem there in summer. There are some around but not the vast clouds that you find on the west coast and parts of the Highlands.

 

[SEB2]

There are many Pilgrim routes in Scotland.
St Magnus Way. St Cuthberts Way, St Andrews Way Fife Pilgrim in Path and http://www.whithornway.org/ which is under construction. This 149 mile route takes you to Glasgow to Whithorn where St Ninian preached.
Leaving the historic City of Glasgow this route takes you on a historical journey through towns and villages, were you can walk on beautiful beaches. Scotland has so much to offer on long distance walks and Pilgrimage routes.

The end of the Whithorn Way is not far away from my home (40 miles or so) and knowing that village and the coast I have wanted to walk it. The obstacle to date is the lack of accommodation in the latter stages. Holiday cottages to be rented by the week are plentiful but not overnight stay beds. I believe that this problem is being looked into. Should anyone be planning to walk this route, carrying a good Ordnance Survey map for the later stages in what is known as the Machars, will ensure you can visit hill forts, cup and ring marked stones, perhaps the wonderful bay where there is a bronze statue of an otter in memory of local author Gavin Maxwell. This can be remote, but magical country steeped in history and with abundant wildlife.

 

[Gerard Murdoch]

The end of the Whithorn Way is not far away from my home (40 miles or so) and knowing that village and the coast I have wanted to walk it. The obstacle to date is the lack of accommodation in the latter stages. Holiday cottages to be rented by the week are plentiful but not overnight stay beds. I believe that this problem is being looked into. Should anyone be planning to walk this route, carrying a good Ordnance Survey map for the later stages in what is known as the Machars, will ensure you can visit hill forts, cup and ring marked stones, perhaps the wonderful bay where there is a bronze statue of an otter in memory of local author Gavin Maxwell. This can be remote, but magical country steeped in history and with abundant wildlife.

I would agree, Guest House/Hotel accommodation after Girvan, are thin on the ground. There are camping sites, with clamping pods, near Barrhill. Most Pilgrims use the Taxi services to get picked up and dropped off at the beginning of their next stage. Directional road signs are now in place for the Dumfries and Galloway Region, with waymarker signs being erected next week. There is also an App being developed showing Historical sites, but also accommodation and Taxi numbers. Even with signage a good OS map is invaluable. There is also a worthwhile guide book written by Julia Muir Watt of the Whithorn Trust. That is a good buy, with lots of information and maps. https://www.whithorn.com/product/the-whithorn-guide-book/

 

[Dael]

Re months to avoid: Midges and how to avoid them… - Walking advice from Walk Fife

Midges and how to avoid them… - Walking advice from Walk Fife

www.walkfife.com

And your new hat...
View attachment 65682

Midges tend to lay low if there is more than a light breeze. If you are drawn to the Coastal walk you are pretty sure of breezes and, at times, stronger winds. I don’t think they will present much of a problem.
Our climate is best described as ‘variable’. Personally I prefer May for walking, but carry waterproofs. From June onward it gets a bit warmer. School holidays normally fall July/August and last 6 weeks so that I suppose is peak season.
Don‘t hesitate to contact me if you would like more info.
Dael

 

[SEB2]

I would agree, Guest House/Hotel accommodation after Girvan, are thin on the ground. There are camping sites, with clamping pods, near Barrhill. Most Pilgrims use the Taxi services to get picked up and dropped off at the beginning of their next stage. Directional road signs are now in place for the Dumfries and Galloway Region, with waymarker signs being erected next week. There is also an App being developed showing Historical sites, but also accommodation and Taxi numbers. Even with signage a good OS map is invaluable. There is also a worthwhile guide book written by Julia Muir Watt of the Whithorn Trust. That is a good buy, with lots of information and maps. https://www.whithorn.com/product/the-whithorn-guide-book/

Thank you @Gerard Murdoch for the link. I have just ordered the book.