Distance: 146 km Grade: 1 (Easy)
Part of The Way of St Andrews
Description:
The route from Aberdeen to St Andrews forms the second part of an expanded route which starts at Tain (Gaelic: Baile Dubhthaich, ‘Duthac’s town’), the shrine of St Duthac there being another former pilgrimage destination of some importance, hence ‘St Duthac’s Way’.
The route can be followed in about 6 days by reasonably fit walkers. It takes you along country roads and the coast through unspoiled villages past lava flows and lime kilns to Arbroath. Look across to the terrible threat to mariners, the Inchcape Rock, then keeping along the coast, a sometimes precipitous path takes you to busy Dundee. Cross the silvery Tay and you are now in the Kingdom of Fife. After a few miles you will suddenly see in the distance the ancient city of St Andrews. And soon you will be walking amid the towering ruins of the giant cathedral consecrated in the presence of Scotland’s greatest king, Robert the Bruce, 600 years ago.
Stages:
- Aberdeen - Stonehaven 29 km (Easy)
- Stonehaven - Inverbervie 19 km (Easy)
- Inverbervie - Montrose 23 km (Easy)
- Montrose - Arbroath 24 km (Easy)
- Arbroath - Dundee 32 km (Easy)
- (7) Dundee (Tay Road Bridge) - St Andrews 29 km (Easy)