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Tayport and Tentsmuir Nature Reserve, Fife

Difficulty Easy

Walking time 3 hours

Length 13.2km / 8.2mi

Route developer: Keith Fergus

Route checker: Robin Segulem

Start location William Street, Tayport, Fife
Route Summary The wildlife in and around Tentsmuir is superb: roe deer, red squirrels, grey and common seals (one of the few places in Scotland where both can be seen together), stonechats, common terns, orchids and ospreys can all be seen on this 7 mile walk...
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

Regular Stagecoach bus service 96 from Dundee and St Andrews stops at Tayport (www.stagecoachbus.com).

 

Description

[1] From the attractive Tayport town centre (NO458288), walk along William Street (B946) onto Queen Street, then turn left onto Maitland Street. Go straight over a roundabout onto Mill Lane, then right onto the Promenade. Walk alongside the Tay Estuary, through a car park into Tayport Links Caravan Park (NO462287).

[2] Walk through the caravan park, forking right beside the reception then continuing over a footbridge. A road then runs through parkland onto Links Road North. Turn left onto Shanwell Road South and, once over Lundin Bridge (NO468279), go left at a fork around a barrier, where a stony track proceeds along the Tay Estuary towards Tentsmuir Nature Reserve. There are fine views across the River Tay to the rolling aspect of the Sidlaw Hills. At a fork, keep left, then at the next fork go right and walk around a barrier into the reserve (NO473277).

[3] Take the first path on the left, which runs east, inbetween woodland and sand dunes. In due course, the path swings right. At this point, leave the path and go straight on along a beach for about 100 metres (if the tide is in, keep to the top of the beach) from where another sandy path is picked up, continuing its course alongside the woodland and eventually rounding Tentsmuir Point (NO498279).

[4] The path then runs southeast, with views along Abertay Sands. At a gate, keep straight on through marram grass, enjoying the wide variety of wildlife. At the next fork, go right to pass by a wind pump (which brings water from around the reserve to keep the rare dune slacks flooded) onto a wide, grassy path. Go straight on at a crossroads and continue a little to the left of Tentsmuir Forest to a fork beside concrete blocks. Go left to walk over the dunes and reach a gorgeous beach (NO505276), part of Abertay Sands, where you might see seals bathing near to the shore. Return to the fork and bear left through the concrete blocks.

[5] Head southwest along an indistinct path to the southern corner of a pocket of woodland, where a narrow, grassy path runs towards Tentsmuir Forest. At a fork, go right with the path (which may be a little indistinct). A broader track is soon picked up to reach a gate, known as Dave’s Gate (NO499270). Go through here to a junction.

[6] Turn right and follow the track through gorgeous woodland, going straight on at Junction 5. Pass by the March Stone (a standing stone dating from 1794, when it was erected as a boundary for fishing rights). The track eventually rounds Tentsmuir Point, veering left to Junction 4 (NO495282). Take the left fork onto a broad forest track, which runs west and where a selection of wonderful wildlife resides. The track meanders easily through the wood for about 2.5km/1½ miles, eventually returning to the barrier at the entrance of the reserve. From here, retrace your steps over Lundin Bridge and back into Tayport.

POI information

The coastline of Tentsmuir is one of Scotland’s most vibrant landscapes, due to the ever-changing aspect of the coastline. The currents and tides have shifted the dunes and sand over two miles east in the past 10,000 years, and the woodland of Tentsmuir has only existed for the past hundred years or so. Before this, the terrain was predominantly moorland, rich in game and wildfowl, while the lochs were full of fish. Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, Picts, Romans and Vikings all lived here for spells, taking full advantage of the natural larder. The wildlife in and around Tentsmuir is superb: roe deer, red squirrels, grey and common seals (one of the few places in Scotland where both can be seen together), stonechats, common terns, orchids and ospreys can all be seen on this walk. Scottish Natural Heritage has managed the landscape since 1954, when Tentsmuir became a National Nature Reserve.

 
Notes No details available.
Acknowledgements
Route devised by Keith Fergus for Walk Magazine.
  • Sea and sand dunes
    Sea and sand dunes
    By - Keith Fergus
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