Pittenweem Lighthouse

The lighthouse sits at the far end of Pittenweem's working harbour, a squat red and white tower that's been guiding boats through the Firth of Forth since 1887. You'll find it at the end of a proper coastal walk from Anstruther - about twenty minutes on foot along the East Neuk coast path, which is exactly where it should be. The structure itself is modest rather than grand, but that's rather the point. This isn't a tourist attraction with gift shops and explanatory panels; it's an active aid to navigation, still doing its job after well over a century.

The real appeal is the location. Standing at the lighthouse, you get the full sweep of the Firth - industrial Leuchars across the water, the islands dotting the horizon, and on clear days the kind of light that makes you understand why painters keep coming to this stretch of coast. It's windy most days, which adds to the drama.

Walkers absolutely get the most from Pittenweem itself. The harbour's lined with fishermen's cottages converted into studios, and the village has genuine character without feeling precious about it. History types will appreciate the medieval street pattern, though there's nothing in the way of formal attractions.

If you're staying at Off the Track or Sauchope Links, both within six miles, this makes a solid half-day outing combined with a wander round Anstruther or Crail. Allow an hour to the lighthouse and back, longer if you stop for photos or a slow look around the village. The walk's easy enough for families with older kids, though buggies will struggle on the uneven harbour paths.