SMITH CELEBRATES NORTH EAST FIFE'S HISTORIC BUILDINGS

5.35.15pm GMT Thu 12th Nov 2009

Local MSP Iain Smith Walking the Fife Coastal Path

Iain Smith MSP had taken the opportunity of a Parliamentary debate on Scotland's Historic Environment to report on his walk along the Fife Coastal Path during the summer and to highlight the wealth of historic interest in North East Fife.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Smith said: "[D]uring the summer recess, I had the pleasure of walking part of the Fife coastal path in my constituency from Lundin Links to Crail. I was able to enjoy not only the picturesque harbours for which the East Neuk is renowned but some of the more hidden parts of our local history, such as the world war two fortifications on the hills outside Elie that helped to protect the Forth from attack by land, sea or air, and the windmill and salt pans at St Monans.

"Further inland, North East Fife has its share of ancient burghs, such a Ceres and Falkland. It also has St Andrews with its ruined cathedral and castle-which tell their own tales of the dark days of the reformation-the ancient university, the harbour and, of course, the golf courses, which are also part of the historic environment.

"All those add to the tapestry that attracts many visitors from around the globe to the area and to Scotland".