Kemback Waterfalls

The River Eden carves through a gorge near St Andrews and the result is rather rewarding - a succession of small waterfalls that tumble over rocky shelves in what feels like proper woodland. Kemback Waterfalls aren't thunderous affairs, mind you. They're modest drops, maybe a few metres at most, but the setting is what does it for you. Stone bridges, moss-covered banks, the sound of water working its way downstream - it's the sort of place that makes you forget the Scottish coast is only a few miles north.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's an easy riverside ramble rather than a strenuous hike, meaning families with kids who can manage uneven paths and older folk looking for a gentle outing will find it accessible. Allow an hour or so, maybe a bit longer if you're the type to stop and listen to the water properly. The gorge has a cool, damp character year-round, but autumn is particularly good when the light filters through copper-coloured leaves.

It's free to visit and there's a car park at Kemback village itself. If you're camping at The Rings just outside St Andrews - a solid family site with good facilities - it's a proper bonus to have this on your doorstep. Skip the tourist crowds of St Andrews town and head here instead for an hour. The waterfalls won't blow your mind, but they're genuinely worth the detour if you're in Fife.