The Fife coastal path connects the firths of Forth and Tay and takes in some of the country’s finest seaside villages, seascapes and the home of a famous literary castawayStanding in a Scottish seaside village, I am confronted by two smart red doors and a curious figure standing in a niche above them: a man, one hand clutching a staff, the other shading his eyes as he gazes out to sea. There’s a flintlock pistol in his belt and he’s dressed in tattered rags. Is it a tribute to locals who survived a night out in Kirkcaldy? No, there is a weathered plaque that I can just read: “In memory of Alexander Selkirk, mariner, the original of Robinson Crusoe ”This is the site of a cottage where Selkirk was born in 1676. And suddenly a long-forgotten melody starts to play in my head, a sweeping lyrical tune that I haven’t heard in half a century. It’s shocking to discover what treasure lies forgotten between my ears, this being the theme from The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, a German televisi...
The article explores the Fife coastal path, a 116-mile route connecting the firths of Forth and Tay, highlighting its connection to Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe. The journey includes visits to Lower Largo, where Selkirk was born, and features a plaque commemorating his life. The walk passes through scenic villages like Anstruther, dramatic coastal landscapes, and ends in St Andrews. It also touches on Selkirk's experiences and the solitude he cherished. Accommodation options along the route are mentioned, such as The Crusoe, the Ship Inn, and Maybell Cottage.
