Discover Peat Inn

Peat Inn as a destination is shaped by three specific points of interest: the Bankhead Moss SSSI nature reserve west of the village, the history of The Peat Inn, and two routes described in different ways. Landscape, the history of the building, and routes each offer a different perspective: you can take a protected natural area into account, trace the building’s changing functions, or include a route connected to Peat Inn in your plans. The following sections show how these points of interest differ. St Margaret’s Way passes by Peat Inn and follows in the footsteps of early pilgrims on the way to St Andrews. The route is about 100 km long and runs from Edinburgh to St Andrews. Its endpoints and approximate total distance establish the route as a link between two cities; its passage by Peat Inn connects it to the village. The connection to pilgrimage adds a historical dimension to this geographical orientation. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between the local point of reference and the longer-distance route. If you are interested in pilgrimage routes, this route offers a specific point of reference at Peat Inn.

Natural area west of the village

Bankhead Moss SSSI lies directly west of the village. This geographical connection gives Peat Inn a distinct natural and landscape aspect alongside the history of The Peat Inn. If nature and culture are factors in choosing your destination, two different perspectives come together here: the protected landscape and a historically used building. For orientation, the SSSI’s location answers a different question from the routes: it places the protected area in relation to the village, while routes can be understood through their course or starting point. The Cameron Reservoir & Bankhead Moss Circular route starts at Cameron Reservoir; Bankhead Moss is part of the route’s name, but it is not the stated starting point. This distinguishes the circular route from St Margaret’s Way, for which an approximate length of 100 km and the endpoints Edinburgh and St Andrews are given. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

The history of The Peat Inn

The Peat Inn is believed to have been built at this location in the mid-18th century. Throughout its history, the original building served as a coaching inn, hotel, pub, and restaurant. The coaching inn and hotel represent earlier accommodation uses; the pub and restaurant reflect its role in food and drink. This sequence traces the building’s evolution, linking an approximate construction date to several clearly distinct functions. Its historical role as a hotel should be distinguished chronologically from its present description: The Peat Inn is a Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms.

For the broader travel overview: Fife.