Fife Coast & Countryside Trust - Connecting Environment and People

Wed, Aug 10th 2022 at 12:50 pm - 2:00 pm

Sarah-Jane Latto, Head of Conservation and Engagement explained the work done by the Trust.

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The St Andrew’s Rotary Club had a very interesting talk about the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. ‘A beggar’s mantle fringed wi gold’ is how King James V1 of Scotland is said to have described the ancient Kingdom of Fife. Sarah-Jane Latto, Head of Conservation and Engagement, explained about the work done by the Trust on this fringe of gold.The Trust is a local independent charity based at the Harbourmaster’s House in Dysart, dedicated to giving everyone the opportunity to experience Fife’s great outdoors. It manages, maintains and preserves wide areas of the countryside of Fife, promoting responsible access to our wonderful and diverse outdoor sites. It looks after thirty sites and path networks throughout Fife including the Fife Coastal Path, the Lomond Hills Regional Park, local nature reserves and other locations which are important for recreation and conservation. Fife has 150 miles of coastline and the Trust manages all of the beaches along the coast, working to manage the way that visitors in camper-vans and those taking part in wild camping are helped to look after the local environment. Members of the club also heard about the Pilgrim Way which opened in 2017 and which follows a medieval pilgrim trail across Fife. Modern-day walkers can enjoy this 64-mile route starting at North Queensferry and Culross and finishing in St Andrews. The Trust also maintains a small visitor centre at the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve which is a perfect spot for bird watching; it also manages the Coastal Visitor Centre at the Harbourmaster’s House in Dysart which gives opportunities to find out more about the importance of Fife’s Coastal Fringe. Sarah-Jane was happy to answer the many questions asked by Rotarians and John Christie gave the vote of thanks.