After paddling through the burn near the church, head up the hill following the signs for the Coastal Path. Walk round the harbour, which still has a fishing fleet and smoker, towards the windmill and salt pans at the edge of the village:
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stmonans/windmill/index.html.
On the day we did the walk the windmill was open as the local Volunteer Coast Watch team were on duty. We were allowed to look inside and my sons had a great time listening to all the ships in the Forth over their radios, and trying on some of the kit used by the volunteers.
www.coastwatch-irvine.co.uk/coastwatch.html
After a further 1.5km you reach the pretty village of Pittenweem. By this time we were in need of refreshments and, handily, there is a choice of pubs and cafes in Pittenweem. You can find options on the harbour front or further up the hill in the village. (Pittenweem hosts the open doors Arts Festival each August, where locals open their houses up to local artists to use as galleries to sell their art - see pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk. If you are there at the right time, it is well worth a visit).
After a cuppa, we re-joined the Coastal Path to Anstruther. This edges around a golf course so look out for low flying balls! Past the golf course, follow the signs and take a brief diversion from the coast into the town of Anstruther before emerging back out at the harbour and a multitude of fish and chip options including the Award winning favourite of the Royal family, the Anstruther Fish Bar.
If you have time and energy, there is plenty to do in Anstruther: visit the RNLI Station to see their boats (an inshore and Mersey class), investigate the Fife Fisheries Museum, or even take a boat trip over to the Isle of May- www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/isle-of-may.
The bus stop back to Elie is located by the RNLI station.
