Cupar Pilgrim's Route

Start location: Bankfoot Cottages, A914. (NO 333 182)
End location: Dairsie Mains (NO 412 162)
Geographical area: Fife
Path Type: Pilgrimage Route
Path distance: 9.3km
Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians

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Route Description

We do not have an up-to-date survey of this route in its entirity and would be very grateful to receive one. However, in the meantime most of the route is described in the Cupar Walks leaflet available as a download from the ScotWays website.

OS Landranger 59 (St Andrews, Kirkcaldy & Glenrothes)

Heritage Information

This route can be seen on many old maps including Ainslie's map of 1790 and Sharp, Greenwood and Fowler's map of 1828.

Moonzie Kirk is built on the site of a medieval chapel; known asthe visible kirk its gable was said to be whitewashed as a marker to guide pilgrims. It is thought that approaching the kirk, the pilgrims would have had their first sight of the tower of St Rule and later St Andrew's Cathedral. Descending from the kirk, the route kept to quite a high line before reaching historic Dairsie Bridge, one of few safe crossings of the River Eden. This path essentially acts as a Cupar bypass, so was possibly used by pilgrims looking to reach St Andrews without spending a day and night in Cupar.

Click here to view this path on a map

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