Coastal towns always have a touch of uniqueness to them. From their scenery to landscapes, their history to smells, there’s always something that makes them stand out or leave a certain memory in your head. And for Elie, a small coastal town in Fife, that is no different.
There is one thing that stands out for me when I think of Elie, the chain walk. One of Fife’s and scotland’s best kept secrets. Situated down past the golf course along the beach it’s a great activity for friends and families to do. It goes for a fair distance, making you use chains to shimmy along the side of the cliffs hanging over the water, and also up and down parts of the rocks that surround it. It’s a hard graft but a great experience. It’s completely free and you can do it anytime you wish. Be sure to check the tide before taking part though, If you do it as the tide comes in and when it’s a horrible day then it may ultimately leave you stuck for a number of hours followed by a phone call to the coastguard and an embarrassing escort back to the car but we can talk about that another day….
At the top of the cliffs at the chain walk, lies the Kincraig hill battery. An abandoned area that was used in WW2 for defence, which is really cool!
Apart from the chain walk Elie has plenty more to offer. Golf is said to have been played in the town as early as the 15th century, and is still played today on a wonderful course at the Elie golf club. If you like your golf you should definitely go for a round here. Lady’s tower and Ardross castle are two historic ruins that give you beautiful views of the sea and surrounding countryside and an insight into the past. The ship inn and the Elie deli are also two very nice places to grab a bite to eat or have a cup of tea in. They both boast of good menus which are more than value for money. There is also a number of shops, from boutiques to gift shops that are worth a little venture in. When I was younger my mum used to love them, she’d spend ages looking and buying things that much that it would be a struggle trying to get her to leave! Last but not least has to be the beach. Who doesn’t love the beach? If you catch it on a good day then it’s an absolute pleasure to chill at.
I’d highly recommend Elie for a day out, the chain walk is honestly a great experience and it will be a place that will more than definitely stay with you for a long time! As always, happy travels!
Cùm gàidhlig beò!
outsideofthewell 