The Elie Chainwalk is safe, as long as you follow the signs

[@TomScottGo]

It's fairly obvious that I had some technical problems with this video! High winds meant it was unsafe to fly the drone, and as the rocks were wet and icy, I didn't feel comfortable carrying unnecessary camera equipment. So this was filmed on a GoPro and a 360 camera - the latter of which got seaspray on the lens early on. And 50mph wind gusts meant the audio was tricky too. I've made the best I can of it: thanks for your patience!

[@stevechance150]

Yes, that would NEVER get created now. You would not be allowed to access it without a harness and carabineers.

[@evilgeniusha01]

I never would have noticed if you hadn't pointed it out. I doubt I'm the only one.

[@SporkleBM]

Oh it's alright Tom! Sometimes the few raw - sounding/looking clips and bits makes your adventure feel all the more real :]

[@larperdoodle]

Release the 360° cut!

[@derkillerigel7059]

Reply

[@rikke3323]

No problem for the experienced Parkourist, Tom Scott.

[@yuvalne]

+

[@RainaRamsay]

+

[@Wirthm]

Hey I wanted something similar but I love your wording ~ greetings from Germany

[@brentwilbur]

_Traceur._

[@rikke3323]

@@brentwilbur Ahaha! And so the debate begins

[@SzymonWojtulewicz]

There are actually similar contraptions all over the Tatra Mountains in Poland. Although there are several deaths each year as a result of a fall (the heights reach up to a few hundred feet) the wonky chains persist.

[@SeanBZA]

Same in China and Africa, though there are a lot of mountain climbs that are not marked, just passed between those who have done them.

[@martijn9568]

With chains or cables?

[@Motorman2112]

I remember using one of these in the Bavarian Alps too.

[@samreid6010]

Same with several US National Parks. Angel’s Landing at Zion has several chainways to get up to the peak. Though they are dangerous, they help preserve the natural beauty of the valley

[@malthuswasright]

And in the Dolomites in Italy.

[@leviswranglers2813]

I'm now absolutely convinced that Tom is doing every side quest and is trying to platinum the UK map. (Holy crap! Thanks for all the likes!)

[@MAG_agent1337]

Only ps users would understand

[@andybaldman]

What does that even mean. We’re not all gamers, bud.

[@MAG_agent1337]

@@hypotheticalaxolotl more specifically, if you complete ALL achievements for a game, you get the platinum trophy

[@hughcaldwell1034]

@@MAG_agent1337 I actually think it's fairly obvious, so long as you know what a side-quest is. I've not played any PS games for over a decade and never played more than a few minutes of any. I still got a laugh.

[@waahaah861]

JUST LIKE VIDYA GAME!!!!

[@TotoDG]

“The Elie Chainwalk is safe, as long as you follow the signs.” Most things are, to be fair.

[@DyslexicMitochondria]

For some things there aren't any signs

[@ip5799]

signs ruin our surroundings

[@iant2064]

I like to use the term "unforgiving" for things that have a low risk of going wrong but a high consequence if they do.

[@olive7831]

Poison is safe, as long as you follow the warnings on the bottle

[@Atlessa]

@@iant2064 So boarding an airliner is unforgiving?

[@timothymclean]

1:50: Part of me wants to know how someone pulled off that heist. Sure, nobody's watching the chains most of the time, but they're bolted to the rock!

[@praiserdusty]

Not that difficult. A group of people with metal saws or even just on guy with what Americans call a torch. A flame that cuts the metal fast or ya know just unscrew every one of the bolts and bam.

[@NoriMori1992]

@@praiserdusty What do Brits call those ?

[@LordGoose-zr6jj]

@@NoriMori1992 a flashlight 😏

[@praiserdusty]

@@NoriMori1992 a torch is a flashlight in great britain

[@cameroncampbell2564]

@@NoriMori1992 A Plasma Cutter :)

[@drcreed6320]

Hey Tom, if you’re ever looking to do a video in midwest Canada, you should take a look at buffalo jumps. Head-Smashed-In is the most famous one around here in Alberta, and its a world heritage site now - they even have a museum!

[@StuffierHat482]

how did you type this so fast?

[@drcreed6320]

@@StuffierHat482 I do type kind of fast I guess haha. I also type weirdly, using my right index finger and my left thumb, but it seems like it gets the job done.

[@aequinoctiale]

Hey, I've been there! It really is an interesting site, definitely recommend!

[@WACdeG]

Submit it in the form on tom's website

[@thegriva7813]

Hey Tom, if youre ever looking to go to Midwest Canada, don't.

[@TheSecondVersion]

Guide: "The locks move so they don't stress the rock" Bet it stresses the tourists though.

[@nolyspe]

What if The Rock visits this place as a tourist??

[@eeeeeek]

@@nolyspe natural habitat

[@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721]

I imagine the rocks laughing, "Did you see the look on the human's face when the lock moved?"

[@jackbain2404]

I remember doing this as a kid a couple years back with my local scout group. No harnesses or anything, come to think of it it wasn't exactly safe having 12 14-year-olds scale the thing but it was sure as hell fun! Nice to see a vid on this hidden piece of Fife:)

[@clray123]

And that's how life should be - not exactly safe, but sure as hell fun. Hopefully we can keep it that way despite our self-appointed "saviors".

[@yourshames]

Not exactly safe but fun is what scouting is all about. With some learning.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

agreed dude. totally accurate

[@GoldSrc_]

@@clray123 Some people thought that it was fun to mess around with the demon core and a screwdriver.

[@jamescody183]

Heya Jack, this must be a universal scouting memory. We've been on quiete a few ourselves in 47th Ballybrack Ireland

[@johnchessant3012]

"People do this for no other reason than, it's there" Well, that's the neatest way of summing up all of humanity I've heard

[@AdamHolland-Adz]

"Grandpa, why did they go to the moon?" "Cause it was hard."

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

Humans are naturally explorers and often like a real good challenge.

[@ferrous719]

A very "humans are space orcs" story for sure

[@pamelajacosqui]

“Hold on tight and watch out for the tide” feels like a very Fife way to do things

[@MaxxDW]

So this is how my parents got to school every day.

[@YetAnotherGeorgeth]

Up hill, both ways, in 30ft of snow!

[@fafmotorsport]

And you tell the kids of today that, they won't believe you.

[@morrigan191]

Uphill both ways, barefoot and in waist deep snow? (That was old when my grandfather said it to me in the 1980's 😂)

[@xdjrockstar]

For 10 miles each way

[@khka2178]

No, this was how they got food to hunt. School was 150 miles away.

[@MathiasBacher]

In German we have the saying "Der Weg ist das Ziel" which means "The journey/route is the destination". I think it fits really well here!

[@finsternis1986]

Gute Redewendung!

[@camelopardalis84]

You've made me realise I never wondered if this saying exists in English ... Hmmm ...

[@quincyquiz]

@@camelopardalis84 if you are wondering, the phrase 'it's not the destination, it's the journey' is the English language equivalent :)

[@camelopardalis84]

@@quincyquiz I have heard that before, but it had completely left my vocabulary. I think I've heard it way less often than its German equivalent. Would you say that it is frequently used? I don't seem to encounter it ever (apart from the few times I have).

[@quincyquiz]

@@camelopardalis84 it is VERY frequently used, at least in the US...I hear it most often used these days when younger kids are mocking older people for saying it all the time

[@retro61]

Regularly gobsmacked as Tom shows me something new & fascinating about the country I live in.

[@CryptoTonight9393]

I would love to see a series by you called "because it's there" that explores things that people do or visit just because they are there.

[@theitfurry4039]

The Bude tunnel is a perfect example of that

[@veramae4098]

"Tom Scott goes to the Moon!"

[@benjaminshropshire2900]

We need more of this sort of thing. Small and manageable but clearly and irrefutably risky things in life. Pretending that all risk can be eliminated is a folly we need to work against... and to do that we need to be willing to accept some risk.

[@Mike-oz4cv]

I think most people are fine with taking and accepting risk as long as they get something in return.

[@benjaminshropshire2900]

@@Mike-oz4cv people individually? In general? Yes. But society? Not so much. And there seems to be a few individuals that make it their business to stop other people choosing to take informed risks.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@benjaminshropshire2900 I’m reminded of how people don’t know how to assess risk/benefit wrt things like covid vaccination. Or certain ill-informed “social causes”. Everywhere people can be found saying “ANY level of risk is too high”; so I have to assume they’re blissfully unaware of the choking stats about food and water. (Of course, some folks take this risk illiteracy the total opposite way, declare that all risks are equal and that they don’t need to assess them, which is equally wrong.)

[@benjaminshropshire2900]

@@kaitlyn__L Agree, but I think the problem goes even deeper than that: for the most part we don't even have the vocabulary to think or talk about risk and the differences between them.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@benjaminshropshire2900 very true. The best we have is mathematical language which just turns a bunch of people right off it. I’ve even had some people say “you can’t just multiply/divide the percentages like that!” even in cases where that is what’s actually done.

[@hugo8963]

As someone who loves Elie and has done this chainwalk before as a younger person, it was great seeing this video made and love seeing videos about the less noticed parts of our country

[@friedrichvolkmann]

I climbed many of the demanding, alpine via ferratas here in Austria, but I'd love to visit that place as well because it's so different. Chains are great because you've got enough grip with your bare hands. Unfortunately, many chains have been replaced with wire ropes in my country. That makes it easier to use a via ferrata set, but at the same time essentially makes it required.

[@chetgray1]

There's a place here in Kentucky in the USA with via ferrata routes, and that's immediately what I thought of, but yes, it looks so different that I'd love to give the chains a go.

[@werbnaright5012]

I like the ones where you get genuinely proud about having something new and interesting to share. This video is the perfect example

[@nightthought2497]

I strongly believe that there should be more features like this, where it's whole purpose is to be engaged with physically and see something you couldn't otherwise.

[@Jehty_]

You mean like every hiking destination?

[@sjf21]

Tom, we get it, you do parkour now. (Kidding, love it as always!)

[@raydunakin]

Very cool! Looks like a fun trip. The sad thing is that, as you say, something like this would never be allowed if it was done today. It's only still permitted because it's been around for so long.

[@bip321boom]

It's somewhat similar to a via ferrata and those are being built today. They are safer though, as they are designed to be used with safety equipment.

[@miriamkapeller6754]

It's weird how standards of safety have changed. I remember climbing on similar kinds of rock when I was a kid, together with my younger brother. But there were no chains and sometimes the price for falling would have been death since when the tide came, the water dynamics formed small whirlpools around those rocks, which would pull you into hollow spaces below the rock where you would drown. The thing that keeps you safe isn't equipment, it's experience and body control!

[@jacooboophotography]

Go here on holiday every year, absolutely stunning place, really nice to see it in a video!

[@Firecul]

Me too, Shellbay every year.

[@EnabiSeira]

There's this small mountain at the side of my town with a road that leads to almost the top, to a building from where I think comes the water supply. But there's a small path just after the building that goes to the peak. This path is narrow, rocky, and you have a precipice of at least 10 meters on one side. A misstep and you fall. And yet there's no security nor any sign. Few people go there though, but there's a really old bench at some point in the path.

[@thugson1166]

In Western Australia we have a few old trees used for fire watch back in the day, (Diamond Tree, Dave Evens Bicentennial Tree) they're around 60m tall each, and litterally just have steel pegs sticking out as a sort of ladder all the way up to the lookout out at the top... It's extremely sketchy, I've never heard of anyone falling though it's easily possible, but there have been a number of rescues made from it

[@Opus313]

Another instalment of Tom's ode to rocks! Hold on tight!

[@MiceAndMinecraft]

OMG I would have LOVED to do this when I was abled! I grew up just scrambling up wadis and clambering over rocks all over the world like a tiny mountain goat. This looks like so much fun!

[@vrisphoria]

Tiktokers : That sign won't stop me, because I can't read!

[@elisam.r.9960]

I mean, they really can't anymore.

[@briangonigal3974]

Well, there's another one for my bucket list! (This being the bucket labeled "Places to stay the hell away from", of course.)

[@sonosus]

I live along the coast from here - did it once a while ago and forgot about it till now. Thanks Tom!

[@PurityVendetta]

Excellent video Tom, if I'm ever in that part of the world I'm definitely giving the chainwalk a go. In a country that has become very risk adverse this seems reasonably safe given the right approach.

[@benjaminsmith3625]

Today's weird thing is that I've just realised that I would never call Fife 'south-east' Scotland. It's north of Edinburgh, which is north of the Borders, and so isn't really "southern" in my mind. Clearly south of Lerwick though... funny thing language.

[@kaygo6244]

aye I always think we're in the middle but if you look at the whole of Scotland and the islands when it is just about south

[@cruachan1191]

I have the same thing when I hear people from Manchester or Leeds or Liverpool refer to themselves as "Notherners" when I'm from near Glasgow, 200 miles North of them and I'm not in the North.

[@michael1]

@@cruachan1191 It's because Northerners is from Northern England. You can be in the North of something that is part of something that has a more northerly aspect. e.g Norfolk and Suffolk or North America. North Korea etc.

[@zedeighty]

​@@cruachan1191 If you take the UK as a whole, I guess technically speaking we "northerners" are actually living in the midlands.

[@NightBlado]

@@zedeighty: Most probably UK won't stay as a whole, so soon Northerners will be northeast of England.

[@theabyssalturtle]

Reminds me of the chains you need to hold on to navigate the path up to Angel's Landing in Zion, Utah. Slightly higher risk since you're a couple hundred feet up on cliff edges but the view's magnificent so I suppose it cancels out.

[@weegrant1980]

The coastline along that part of Fife is stunning and also a few miles from the secret bunker

[@Green__one]

My favorite campsite in the Canadian Rocky mountains is beyond a set of chains like this. I've been going to that site for about 30 years now, the chains have been extended a little bit to deal with erosion on the path, but otherwise seem unchanged. I'm not sure what amount of inspection they get, and the signage is much more basic than what you have, in fact I think it just says "caution cliff". Amazingly, despite the obvious possibilities, I'm not sure I've ever heard of someone dying on them. There is however a significant drop.

[@Mystixor]

Another episode of Tom leads us to places that aren't really all that significant but afterwards you're happy to know. Gotta appreciate them, too!

[@jackelliot547]

Significant in the struggle between the west and east .Russian planes test our security above that Scottishpath . Raf rush to intercept them .English Conservative MPs are puppets of PUTIN - follow the money trek - that is dangerous. Our country sold over the Russian Money - Corruption costs childrens lives .

[@samreid6010]

Quite a few US National Parks, most notably Angel’s Landing at Zion, have chainways. Because several people have died from falling off the trail, there have been calls to get rid of the chainways and replace them with a regular path, but doing so would destroy much of the mountain and wouldn’t be all that much safer so the chainways are still there.

[@haunter4708]

I’m genuinely impressed that this still exists.

[@pyrodoll2422]

Hard to believe that in today's Britain that this hasn't simply been closed down by a faint hearted, risk averse council. It warms my soul that it's still there and maintained.

[@NiteLynr]

"It's there" is one of the best reasons ever to do something - sometimes we just need to tick a box marked 'I did a thing' to boost morale/sanity/worthiness stats.

[@guyincognito.]

Captain Kirk agrees.

[@neeharika422]

Also loving the weekly newsletters

[@steve16384]

I love the way Toms vids end. No pointless eiplogue or final thoughts. Just straight facts and then it ends.

[@idrisddraig2]

All over the alps there are very similar paths called "Via Ferrata", most reccomend/require a harness/Helmet/slings and can be in some very airy places. They generaly require a fair bit of physical effort, but not substantial technicall ability.....oh and a good head for heights, its bvery easy tio end up over 1000 feet off the deck!

[@ThePrenti]

right on my backdoor! done them once a year from the age of about 8! I'm 30 this year

[@blebonick7088]

Oh hey, this is close to home. I was climbing these chains since I was 13.

[@Deltarious]

This video was good enough that I am now significantly interested in visiting here, thanks a lot!

[@KofaOne]

"Don't fall off" - the elie chainwalk is safe, as long as you follow the signs

[@Wynner3]

I hope to see Scotland some day. I will add this to my growing list of things to do if I ever visit.

[@shershahdrimighdelih]

"why does one climb the Everest?" "Because it is there"

[@Peregrius]

God I love the quality and quantity of these videos. It's amazing every single time!!

[@ThatOneIrishFurry]

Imagine being the person like "ah yes these are the original chainwalk chains that i stole"

[@isabelnecessary5915]

Love the Elie chainwalk! Done it quite a few times over the years and it’s always fun.

[@KulbhushanChand]

Tom Scott - “The Elie Chainwalk is safe, as long as you follow the signs.” The Sign - "⚠ Don't use Chainwalk."

[@RudeGuyGames]

Can't fall off the chainwalk if you don't use it. 🙄

[@magmastered]

1:42 In the Alps there are many via ferratas which look very similar. Some exist and are maintained by volunteers for decades, some were created quite recently. You can use a harness, you should be experienced or with a guide, but in the end it is openly accessible and up to everyone how they want to tackle them.

[@boozytortoise]

This is just up the road from me, haven't managed to do it yet but on the to do list

[@alexevanspoppsychedelicren4158]

Tom is the king of random facts I don't need to know but am glad I do.

[@sphinxtheeminx]

I once climbed up Gordale Scar with two intrepid miniature dachshunds. They loved it. When we got to the top and looked down - I decided we should walk back via the road.

[@aloysiuskurnia7643]

Really strong George Mallory quote vibe there right at the end

[@MiceKrispie]

Kid: Can we get a rock climbing wall? Tom: We have a rock climbing wall at home. Rock climbing wall at home:

[@CyborusYT]

way cooler

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I love that this still exists

[@MrSnoozySquid]

I enjoy these sorts of activities that carry a little physical requirement and a little danger. I’m by no means a “rules gone mad” guy, I understand the requirement to ensure public safety, but I think that comes with a little trust. Hiking a mountain and having to jump across a few gaps keeps it fun. Diving off waterfalls is fun. Chuck a sign up to say how to do it safety, and let people take a risk or two. I’d absolutely seek this out if I was in the area

[@MathewLiamHowarth]

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would, but then again, i have enjoyed all of your videos.

[@linollieum3742]

It feels like the world has a lot of these kinds of trails grandfathered in that would never be made now due to the risk, like Precipice Trail and Beehive Trail in Maine, even though those use iron rungs instead of chains and probably aren't as dangerous

[@samreid6010]

Or Angel’s Landing at Zion. Helps preserve the mountain but rather dicey

[@geordieal]

And that’s another place added to my bucket list, cheers Tom!

[@FD-vj6hd]

Hi Tom! Elie is not in the South East of Scotland! I noticed this problem too in the chainmail cage video; Helensburgh is not in the South West of Scotland. They are both Central and wouldn’t be described as South. It’s like in England how the Midlands are not exactly halfway up England, they are further south than that, but you wouldn’t describe Birmingham as South West England. Not a big deal just worth pointing out!

[@antrumkfpsalatschleuder8768]

Those ways are everywhere in the alps and they are always fun!

[@DavidAtwell]

Kirk: "Not to mention the most important reason for climbing a mountain." Spock: "And that is?" Kirk: "Because it's there."

[@Perl88]

Every one of your Scotland videos seems to be getting closer and closer to my house, I’m expecting one from my back garden any day now!

[@SemiHypercube]

"it was repaired about ten years ago after somebody stole the chains" So in that case, is it still the same chainwalk?

[@KroltanMG]

As long as nobody steals the walk I think it still qualifies.

[@IllusoryMaze]

No, it's just the same walk.

[@nitePhyyre]

Chainwalk of Theseus.

[@blairmarshall544]

I have been to Elie (stunning little fife town btw) loads of times and never even heard of this. Won’t miss it the next time

[@LuminalSpoon]

I wouldn't say Fife is in the south-east of Scotland, good video though. Done this a couple of times and its great fun.

[@spencerlarson9357]

I really enjoy these, love your work!

[@ThatCoolCookieee]

Funny story. Me and my pal andrew went to do this walk one night in 2017. We'd just smoked a couple Js and started up the path. Got uptowards the top of the hill and surprisingly i started to notice this probs wasnt the safest thing to do this night because it was very muddy and our torches were no bright enough.

[@damejudy6568]

But did you do it 🤣🤣

[@Hugh_de_Mortimer]

I would do this alone and whilst in full holiday spirit. Thanks very much.

[@paulosullivan3472]

Its sad that something like this wouldnt be created today. I think it really shows how far we have fallen into fear as a society when such things can be said with such confidence. Life is transitory but living is something you have to choose to do, it isnt there by virtue of existing.

[@Henri_Sorare]

I had no clue this was here, thanks for the new day out trip tom

[@callummorrison7477]

Used this many times growing up on the East Coast of Scotland! I remmeber when some people stole the chains for scrap metal.

[@DeathofItachi]

By just watching your videos I'm expanding my bucketlist

[@1.4142]

I went to jade cove in big sur, California to jade hunt and there was a set of ropes hanging from a steep cliff that you have to climb down to get to the beach.

[@kingdedede1066]

I’ve been doing this with my family for many years now so it’s cool to see you covering this!

[@praiserdusty]

Well that's awesome I didn't know this existed

[@Jayeeyee]

The scene at the start of the video gave me off world vibes. It was like Tom visiting another planet's tourist attraction.

[@Blackdiamond2]

"someone stole the chains" Didn't know someone from Detroit came to give it a go

[@ItsPikablu]

When Jay and Tom upload within hours of each other, you know you've reach the UK KZbin elite.

[@sabikikasuko6636]

If this was made today, I would've thought this was one of those "how unsafe can we make something that's still acceptably safe". Clearly time is a BIG factor in what "acceptably safe" means lmao

[@exitpath2]

I live literally a few miles from here and I had no clue this existed! Amazing!

[@echopark25]

There's people in the village who don't know about it or done it. I recommend it too most.

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodNitpicker]

Nice to know that there are still some unsafe, risky, fun things left in this soft corners nanny state world.

[@paul4archery]

you make it seem so easy, Tom Scott, Britains most experienced rock climber 2000 🏆

[@mowinckel10]

Question... I really love Tom showing off cool places, and I would like to visit many of them myself... is there a website or something that shows on a map all the places Tom have "reviewed"?

[@alecambo]

Great idea!

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

Its now on my list of places to visit. Scotland is one of my top locations for trips anyway.

[@nitePhyyre]

"Because it's there." Reminds me of: "But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas? We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard"

[@safe-keeper1042]

"We chose to go to the moon not because it is easy, but because it's there!"

[@norskfittesleiker]

Tom puts out a new video. And now we know. Keep it up. Love getting this kind of knowlege that you are making.

[@lyger_playz]

"It was repaired about 10 years ago..." "oh, that's nice. more modern chains for safety?" "...after someone stole the chains" _oh_ That one guy who stole the chains that are embedded onto the rocks: my goals are beyond your understanding!

[@chlochlo742]

welcome to fife

[@markt1758]

I used to holiday there every July in the 70s and 80,s and yes the old chains where a lot more rusty back then

[@yubosej54]

I have actually been on this walk, never knew that there was a tide! Next time I'll be sure to check for it! There is also a place called Crammond Island near Edinburgh that has a path going to an island when the tide is low, and the path is flodded when the tide is high! You should definitely visit there~

[@ashmaybe9634]

But it's right next to the sea, the tidal sea...

[@glenswebber]

That is genuinely awesome and I so want to do that one day! Great vid Tom.

[@infernogear571]

Warnings come after the spell-- Forget who said it.

[@sixty2612]

The hike up Picacho Peak in Arizona is a bit like this, no harnesses and a bunch of metal ladders and cables installed in the rock. It’s not quite as sheer as this but still fun and unique.

[@hansjockl2]

Every Video a new interesting Story thank you mate😊🙌

[@scurly0792]

What's with the random capitals

[@AdkKarl]

Thanks, Tom. You share the most interesting attractions!