Tentsmuir – NNR and Forest
Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve is a wonderful combination of sea, beach, dunes and forest, with trails winding through the trees to the stunning expanse of sand at the mouth of the Tay Estuary. Look out for red squirrels in the sunlight-dappled woods, otters frolicking in burns, oyster catchers strutting across the sand and seals congregating on mudflats, watching visiting humans with great interest!
Tentsmuir’s history is as fascinating as its wildlife. Tentsmuir has been inhabited for thousands of years and the ever-shifting sands regularly reveal evidence of former residents, including Stone Age fire pits, Victorian ice houses and World War 2 tank defences. Take a picnic – or take advantage of Salt and Pine’s selection of crepes, salads and hand-warming hot drinks.
Tentsmuir Car Park (0.0 miles)
The car park costs £2 per vehicle, payable at the automatic barrier. You’ll need to have the correct change. If you come here often you can buy a season ticket for £60 plus VAT. The Car Park is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland.
Top tips for your tour
Fife has a good public transport network and all the places on the Fife 191 are accessible by bus, and some by train. You can get more information at the Travel Fife website.
Download the free GoSEStran app here to plan a journey anywhere in Scotland and compare all travel options by price, duration and carbon emissions.
Many of the locations on Fife191 are on National Cycle Routes. These routes are traffic free on on quiet roads. In Fife many sections follow the Fife Coastal Path.
The route shown is for guidance only. Please check exact directions and traffic conditions before you begin your journey.
If you've got your own EV or are hiring one VisitScotland have some useful information for you.
If you're looking for charging points the ChargePlace Scotland network has locations in Fife. The network currently offers 2,286 charging points across the country. New charge points are always being added but always check the distance between charging points, availability and type before setting off. The time to charge can vary depending on the station. To access the network and start charging your EV, simply register for a ChargePlace Scotland account and order an access card (one off fee of £12).
Many service stations will have charging points too.
We want your visit to Fife to be a safe and enjoyable experience. Road Safety Scotland has some very useful information on driving in Scotland, that can be found here.
If you want to explore Fife 191 in a motorhome or campervan there are some things to bear in mind.
Overnight Parking
We would recommend staying at one of the camping and caravan sites along the route. If you decide to stay informally along the route though you should follow these guidelines and advice from the Campervan and Motorhome Professional Association. There is lots more useful information on their website too http://www.campa.org.uk/
Fife Coast and Countryside Trust allow overnight parking at some of their car parks on a first come first served basis. Visit their website for more information Overnight Parking - Fife Coast & Countryside Trust
Access Rights
Scottish access rights and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code do not apply to motor vehicles.
The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that you can drive a vehicle up to 15 yards off a public road for the purpose of parking, but this does not confer any right to park the vehicle. Most un-metalled roads, unfenced land and beaches are private property, and you don’t have a right to park unless it’s authorised by the landowner by verbal agreement or signage.
Common Sense Guidance
Use common sense and think whether the spot you have found is suitable for a vehicle.
VisitScotland have a useful video about motorhoming in Scotland.
- Think about the cumulative effect of camping in the ‘fantastic secret place which I’m sure no-one else has ever been’… it is very likely that others will use the same spot, not just you!
- Take great care to avoid fragile ground/sensitive habitats, never drive down to beaches or onto grass verges as it destroys the habitat.
- Avoid overcrowding. If another vehicle is parked in a secluded spot – try not to park right next to them and find your own spot elsewhere.
- Speak to locals as they may be able to advise a suitable place to park up overnight.
- Use only biodegradable detergents and drain kitchen waste water tanks in campsites at designated areas. If it has to be emptied in the wild, keep away from water courses and be aware that animals will be attracted to the scent.
- Ensure your vehicle is self-contained with toilet facilities (such as a Porta-potti) and waste water tanks.
- Do a full ‘litter-pick’ before you leave, taking all of your rubbish, and any you found there already, and disposing of it properly when you’re back in ‘civilisation’.
- Support a sustainable tourism industry – buy groceries in local shops.
- Park in areas where signs state ‘no overnight parking’ or where there is a campsite nearby.
- Park overnight within sight of people’s houses, even in car park bays.
- Block access tracks to estates and fields.
- Light BBQs or fires unless it is safe to do so, and you can supervise it properly. They should be fully extinguished when finished and no evidence left behind.
- Empty any chemical toilet waste anywhere other than at a designated chemical waste area. Most campsites have facilities for the emptying of a cassette toilet. Public toilets are not suitable places to empty chemical toilets as it upsets the sewage treatment process. No-one likes to see waste left beside the roadside and it is your responsibility to ensure you leave no trace of your travel and dispose of your motorhome waste in the correct manner. If you are hiring a campervan or motorhome, make sure the hire company show you how to empty and maintain any on board toilet facilities.
Give your litter a lift – take it home
According to Keep Scotland Beautiful 50 tonnes of litter is abandoned on Scotland's roadsides each month.
Scotland is a beautiful country. Our roads are how we travel and explore it. They are part of the landscape and part of our places too.
Yet so many of them are blighted by a jumble of cans, bottles, cups, crisp packets, and food wrappers, tubs and boxes, flung from the windows of passing vehicles.
If you find that there are no bins, or that the bins provided are full, DO NOT leave your waste at the roadside or beside a bin, take it with you and dispose of it responsibly, recycling where you can. If you are travelling with pets, make sure that any pet waste is collected in a bag and disposed of at the nearest “poo bin” or waste bin.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, littering is a recognised criminal offence in Scotland. If a person is found guilty of this offence, they can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £80, or potentially prosecuted and issued a fine of up to £2,500.
Introduction
The route takes in all that Fife is well known for including a wonderful coastline with award winning beaches, lovely rolling countryside, and pretty villages and bustling towns.
You’ll find plenty of attractions to visit and things to do whatever your interests. Take a trip back in time and explore Fife’s rich history at one of the many castles and historic locations, watch out for wildlife on the coast or in the countryside.
Learn about our heritage at one of the fantastic museums (we’ve got everything from golf to fishing!), bring your golf clubs and play some world-famous courses, discover the vibrant arts and culture scene including some amazing artists, makers and musicians.
Visit some iconic film and TV locations, or try something different like swimming with sharks or creating your own gin!
Along the way you’ll find great places to stop and visit with a great variety of accommodation and a delicious selection of food and drink including locally made products.
Fife has a good public transport network and all the places on the Fife 191 are accessible by bus, some by train as well. Lots of them are on national cycle routes too.
Take a look at our interactive map to discover more about the route and everything Fife has to offer.