Leuchars - Tayport
This ride begins in Leuchars, a town dominated by its association with the RAF and the Norman church of St. Athernase. The route follows a quiet road out of the village to Tentsmuir Forest, which extends over the sand dunes between the estuaries of the Tay and the Eden.
Here you have a choice of two traffic-free routes: a direct route north to Tayport; or National Route 1 which follows the coastline eastwards to the visitors’ car park at Kinshaldy Beach and then northwards on traffic-free tracks beside the award winning beach of Tentsmuir Sands and through the nature reserve, before heading westwards along the Tay to rejoin the direct route at Tayport.
In Tentsmuir Forest, look out for a 19th century icehouse on the right. If you take one of the right turns off the main track, you will find the remains of old machine gun pillboxes and tank traps, put there to repel possible invaders in the Second World War.
From Tayport, you can continue into Dundee and return to Leuchars by train or return on bike to Leuchars.
Natural attractions:
- Tentsmuir Forest
- Tentsmuir Point Nature Reserve
- Kinshaldy Beach
Visitor attractions:
- St Athernase Church
Route submitted by: Sustrans
Tags
Route map
Comments
Key route details
- Region/Area:
Central Scotland
- Distance:
8½ miles
- Time needed:
1 - 1 ½ hours
- Classification:
Easy
- Traffic:
Mixed
- Surface:
Mixed
- NCN Route:
National Route 1
- Start:
Fife
- Finish:
Leuchars
- Access:
Train Station at Leuchars and Dundee.
- Maps and guides
-
- Links with:
Tentsmuir Forest yellow, blue, purple and Tayport - Broughty Ferry.
- Weather:
-
Sat
max: 5°C min: 1°C
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Sun
max: 7°C min: 1°C
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Mon
max: 6°C min: -1°C
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Tue
max: 5°C min: 0°C
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