As the St Andrews’ skiffs depart East Sands, we pause to admire the majestic skyline of St Andrews from the sea. The ruins of the castle, cathedral and the harbour wall where tourists stroll, together with students of the university in their red gowns.
East Sands is a popular beach for families and a sheltered bay for watersports. Along the East Sands, we see the old lifeboat shed, now the St Andrews Sailing Club, the newly built Scottish Oceans Institute (a marine research establishment) and the East Sands Leisure Centre.
Occasionally we have seen dolphins in the bay of East Sands. Today we have the company of sea birds and the occasional, curious seal.
The entire coastline of this row is rocky, and so we keep a cautious distance from the cliffs. Our cox keeps the crew on task and in good form, all are thrilled to be part of the RowAround Scotland. In the event that weather and conditions were unfavourable, then the baton would be taken by cycle to Kingsbarns or walked on the Fife Coastal Footpath.
We then pass a farm building. Many sailing ships foundered in St Andrews Bay in easterly winds when they were ’embayed’. The lifeboat stationed on the East Sands had difficulty launching in these conditions and so it was hauled overland east for several miles with a team of horses. This resulted in the lifeboat house being established just east of Buddo Ness and the boat was stored there.
Passing the mouth of the Kenly Water, near Boarhills, we come across Salt Lake, a small lagoon in the rocks. The now ruined cottage alongside was reputedly occupied in times past by an adventurer.
We are met by two kayakers who guide us safely through some tricky rocks to the beach.
With no road access to recover our skiff from the beach, we have another crew waiting to row our skiff back to East Sands but not before rowers from Crail meet us on the beach for a celebration and the baton is handed over to Crail Rowing Club.