Snowdrop Trail, Valleyfield woods

We began today's walk at Newmills. A couple of weeks ago when we did the practice walk we noted a grand stone archway halfway through the village with a 'Private. No Entry.' sign boldly displayed. Now that's the route we wanted to take so after making some enquiries at a local newsagent, a very helpful assistant phoned the owner to obtain permission for us to access the land. The owner happens to be Lord Wemyss. He lives in Torry House apparently. We didn't stop to say hello but enjoyed the walk through his grounds emerging at the A985 and crossing over to a wooded area. Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud! Even walking in single file we struggled to avoid squelching through some pretty thick black mud. We then had to walk about a mile on country roads, Clinkum Bank and Ayr Street, again in single file, which led us to Valleyfield Woods. We popped into the Riding Centre for Disabled for a nice cuppa and to use the facilities, then onto the Snowdrop trail through the woods. We could have had a guided tour but as there were 18 of us, we thought it best to do our own thing. Mary's grandchildren were with us today and led us through the enchanted woods admiring the carpets of snowdrops and guessing how many there might be! They were just a delight, the children that is. The woods are part of Valleyfield estate and you can still see the remnants of the landscaping created by Humphry Repton a famous 18th century English landscape gardener. Part of a very high wall which surrounded the ornamental gardens, an archway, remains of the kitchen garden and ruins of the gardener's cottage can still be seen. Despite the muddy parts this was a lovely woodland walk and we filled our lungs with good country smells. My geography failed me again though when asked which river was flowing through the estate. The other entrance to/ exit from the woods is back in Newmills so we wandered through the village back to our cars. As always we said a wee prayer before going our separate ways and felt content and grateful for the fellowship our wee group had shared today.

Glenrothes

It started off a really cold morning, and our non-walking kirk friends were fair sorry for us. But we were raring to go today as we hadn't had a walk together since November, so 17 of us jumped in the minibus at 1.00pm and off we scooted on a jolly to Glenrothes. Accentuating the positive is the secret.
We parked up behind St Columba's church and made for Riverside Park, carefully dodging the traffic on Leslie Road. There was still a fair amount of ice in the park, but we chose our steps and avoided any misadventure. Once among the trees however, it was great to walk on leaves and pine cones and we really felt as if we were right out in the country yet we were only yards from the busy A911. The River Leven which we followed for a short stretch was flowing very fast today. Just as the incline began we had to squeeze through a wee space where a pretty big tree had fallen over. Now the trailblazers among us who had our walking poles with us were off at the toot and left the tortoises to bring up the rear. They caught up again at the Fettykil Fox just before crossing over to Whinneyknowe. As we walk, without really being conscious of it, we move position in the group and so constantly change the people we are talking to. Topics are many and varied.
Yes, we're nearly there. We climbed the stairs from Ballingall Drive, pausing only for a short blaw, and reached today's watering hole, Balgeddie House Hotel. We had given the hotel a bit of advance warning that we'd be wearing walking boots so we were directed to Spencer's bar on arrival. Little did we expect a very pleasant welcome from management and shown to tables all laid out in readiness for us. The hotel had ordered in scones especially for us with strawberry jam and cream. Whatsmore the sun was streaming in through the windows at that time and it all made for a delightful wee breather. Once refreshed, it was all downhill from there, and you could hear some sighs of relief. We did come upon a really lovely part of the walk where we had to walk under the A911 with another fast flowing river on our right. But none of us knew which river that was.

Emerging at the pond, again back in Riverside Park, we noted that the snowdrops were beginning to poke their wee green shoots through the hard ground. The first sign of spring. In a few weeks there will be carpets of snowdrops and crocuses on all of the green spaces in Glenrothes Town Centre. A sight to behold each year. Apologies, I had kept the next and last incline a secret until now. So after a few more groans and pechts we reached the housing scheme and back on the level once more. The light beginning to change now we piled into the minibus for our homeward journey. 4.2 miles in almost three hours! Now that was a dawdle.

Burntisland

Despite the various euphemisms I heard before the walk - dull,dampish, 'not promising'- the weather today was dreich, a fine descriptive word of old Scots origin. Another of old Scots origin, Bob Docherty, led us on a history walk of Burntisland which was very interesting indeed. We parked opposite the Sands Hotel and headed towards the shore, dipping under the wee railway bridge. The first point of interest Bob described was a lovely victorian building which used to be a tearoom, then a shop (we could all remember buying an ice cream here in our childhood) and now is a bed and breakfast. Moving along the shore a few remarked how the tide seemed to be further in than usual, and a wee bit choppy whatsmore. Passing the Beacon Leisure centre, we all reminisced again of days when the swimming pool was al fresco, and Bob told the story of his grandfather, who was provost of Burntisland, having the dubious honour of opening the original outdoor swimming pool by taking the first dive from the top diving board! We walked around the promontory at Lammerlaws where we heard about the geology of Burntisland, and then on to the docks. Here we listened to the history of Briggs Marine Services - Rona's son works here so we were brought up to the present as well - and I found myself looking up the company on the web when I came home it was so interesting. Also nearby is B Fab involved in the manufacture of offshore and renewable energy fabrications where boss John Robertson won Fife's Businessman of the year just last week.
Moving on to Forth Place where we saw the old Burntisland railway station and admired the architecture, imagining what might go on behind all of the windows. Apparently it is to be sold soon, but we were not sure what the purpose would be. It was Mary's turn to identify the spot where the 'greasy pole' used to stand. This was a challenge, centuries old, whereby young men would attempt to climb a pole such as a telegraph pole which had been covered with grease presumably from the ships, to claim a pot of money from the top. The more astute participant would wait until the end of the challenge by which time most of the grease had been absorbed by the keen,naive ones, and he could shin up the pole with ease and claim the prize.The next point of interest was in Somerville Square where Bob referred to a wall plaque indicating where a famous daughter of Burntisland had lived in early 19th century. Mary Fairfax Somerville was a mathematician and astrologer and had such exceptional intelligence she was considered the most remarkable woman of her generation. Whatsmore she was entirely self taught. It was pretty cold now so we were glad to pop into the kirk. What a fascinating church is Burntisland Parish Church. Church Officer Ian Motion was kind enough to open it up for us to walk around at our leisure reading all the plaques and sitting in the old pews with doors at the end. Some of them still have names painted on the doors where a lady and her maids or estate owners would pay to have that seat set aside for themselves. The kirk also has great historic interest as this is where the Authorised Version of the Bible was authorised by King James VI in 1611. And so next year will be it's 400th anniversary. Some of us fondly recalled favourite verses from KJB comparing them with those of the Good News Bible which is in common use these days. Off again towards Rossend Castle this time where the visit was short as we were all so cauld, but long enough to hear Bob's history in a nutshell. We had a wee climb ahead, 56 steps to be exact but it led us to a terrific viewpoint where our tour guide pointed out all of the attractions we had not been able to visit.
Up ahead of course was the Binn, the protector of the town from extremes of weather. The town's shield of arms shows these Latin phrases - "Portus Gratiae" (Safe Harbour) and below "Colles Praesidio Dedit Deus" God gave the hills for protection). With thoughts of coffee at the Sands Hotel we were off at the toot now.It was even more pleasant today because Lorraine had made two cakes for us on account of her 'special' birthday the following day. We can thoroughly recommend her Weetabix cake! Thanks Lorraine . Hope you have a happy day tomorrow. We would also like to mention the warm welcome we had at the Sands Hotel. The staff were very accommodating so will have our custom again. Thanks Bob for imparting your knowledge of Burntisland with us, and I hear you have another history walk of Dunfermline up your sleeve. Well, you're hired!

Lower Largo, Keil's Den, Lundin Links

I'm not in the habit of repeating myself but this walk was worth doing a second time. If you have a look at the blogsite for last September we did the same walk today but with more folk this time. Given that we are on 31st October we expected to be feeling the cauld but some of us were actually down to T-shirts, it was such a beautiful day. After parking at Temple car park we took the ascent via the Serpentine Way which led us to Upper Largo. Bob took us to the kirk there to see a headstone, now protected within a cage in the kirkyard, which dates from around 500AD. You can just make out some signs and figures on horseback - fascinating.
(Spot the bogeyman in the pic)
Onward we wend then with Largo Law up ahead looking wonderful and inviting today, but we thought better of it.
We walked along the side of the fields past the residential caravan site and past the place where Bess lies. Bess, we imagined was a much loved canine friend who perhaps regularly walked the same route as we were doing. Her master chose a most beautiful spot to lay her to rest and attach her name tag for all who pass to ponder on.
( There's that bogeymen again!)
Keil's Den was stunning. Autumn had turned the leaves orange and brown, yellow and amber, and the forest looked as if lights had been turned on within it was so bright. There were a few slow coaches today blethering 19 to the dozen at the back but we gathered again as we reached Lundin Links and wandered through the wee town enjoying looking at the lovely houses. We passed a few with Halloween decorations up like the one in Bob's photo. Just before the descent to Lower largo we stopped and soaked up the view of the Forth only we did wonder where Arthur's seat had disappeared to...
Down at the harbour is really picturesque so we sat outside the Crusoe Hotel with our coffees getting the last of the sunshine on our faces before it dipped behind the clouds until tomorrow. Now Bob mentioned that he wanted to get back to Kirkcaldy to collect his lady wife so we picked up speed through the wee narrow streets of Lower Largo back to the cars. Actually I think he wanted home to get trick-or treating.
We couldn't have asked for better weather or company today. Blessed indeed.

Scotlandwell

I'll bet all the followers of our blogsite were wondering where we got to in September. Well, for the record we did meet up, but did a Car Treasure Hunt instead of a walk. Not quite so good for the environment, but equally good for our health as we had a good laugh with happy company. Rona and friend Linda were the winners and I hear the consensus is that the winners do next year's Treasure Hunt. I'd start now Rona.
We ventured out of the Kingdom of Fife today beginning our walk at the carpark at Portmoak church. Our heart rates were pretty quickly raised with a steep set of approx thirty stairs which took us onto the Michael Bruce Way, one of the network of pathways around Loch Leven. The path was narrow so we went single file along the bottom of the Bishop until we reached the best spot to take in the magnificent view. Although a bit misty today, we were able to see Benarty, which Fifers call the Sleeping Giant because its outline from the north side looks like a man on his back wearing a headdress. In the foreground of Loch Leven was St Serf's island and to the north, the Ochils. On a good clear day the Highlands can be seen from this point. So we stood in awe for a few minutes, getting our breath back from the climb and having it taken away again by the scenery. Onward then along the foot of the Bishop where autumn was in evidence and where the bracken had been burnt as a control to allow other forms of vegetation to flourish.
We didn't climb up the hill at all, but obviously by the photo on the left Joe and others were equipped with their skis just incase we got high enough to encounter snow. What goes up must come down and so we ended up in the old part of Kinnesswood and enjoyed looking at the wee houses, some of which have been very tastefully modernised. We saw the birthplace of Michael Bruce, whose name was given to the walk we did today. Michael Bruce, the gentle poet of Loch Leven, died of consumption and loneliness at the callow age of 21 having been a prolific writer of Gospel sonnets and paraphrases while a student of divinity at Edinburgh University. Plaques of some of his works are to be seen along today's trail, placed there by the Michael Bruce Memorial Trust.
Moving out of Kinnesswood and back to the countryside, this time on flat terrain so we were able to stride out. Above us we saw several gliders out on a jolly from the Scottish Gliding Centre, at Portmoak airfield just outside Scotlandwell, and we envied the view the pilots must have of the beauty surrounding us on a clear day. As we progressed through a wooded area called Portmoak Moss we were amazed at the enormous fungi and toadstools - a mycologist's field day you might say (and yes, I did look that word up in the dictionary). We also happened upon a shetland pony, Toby. Although Toby was in an awkward mood today according to his owners, I'm sure he enjoyed the compliments and petting he had from the walkers. By this time we were all talking about our rumbly tums and our pace quickened further when we were able to see our refreshment stop in the distance. In order to reach it though, we had to walk along the edges of fields which had recently been harvested and one field of healthy looking carrots, but we did not yield to temptation! It was here that a young deer was spotted, making off into a spinney to our delight.
Lochend Farm was a very welcome sight and we indulged in the delicious home baked fare there, and then off once again on the last part of the walk towards Scotlandwell. This time we had to walk on the road, and so one at the head and one at the tail of the single file wore High Vis vests so that motorists could see us well in advance.
We visited the Well in the village of course where the spring water was once thought to have healing properties and in 13th century a nearby hospital run by Red Friars used the water to heal leprosy and other diseases.Some of us drank the spring water which put a spring in our steps for the last few hundred yards uphill to where the cars were parked. Another great walk - 5.49 miles - and we expressed our gratitude before heading homeward, feeling peaceful and content.

East Wemyss to Pathhead

We had to be off our marks from the kirk as we had to catch a bus at Mid Street before 1.00pm. to take us to the beginning of the walk at East Wemyss. We gathered at Mid St in plenty of time but when the no 13 was a couple of minutes late there were a few doubting Thomases ( Thomases?) who questioned my competency in looking up a timetable. Anyway we all piled on a wee 20 seater and that was the bus filled. Not being used to public transport myself, I was irritated that it kept going on wee detours; through Dysart and West Wemyss, and even down to the shore at East Wemyss. Anyway, we disembar....alight... got off the bus at Macduff cemetery, the start of today's walk. It was a bit breezy which swept the grey clouds away over towards Edinburgh and left our Fife skies almost Royal blue. We could feel our cares drifting away as we strode out and absorbed the beauty in our field of vision, especially the sun striking the Forth which sparkled with diamonds and sapphires. We followed the coastal path arrows which took us down some very steep steps to the shore. Folk were well prepared for this today though as a few were equipped with walking poles. Once at the shore the walk was easy and so was the conversation. There were thirteen of us today. Hi to Kerry who was with us for the first time. With East Wemyss behind us, Wemyss castle was towering above us on the cliffs. This is the ancient seat of the Earls of Wemyss, still inhabited by the family today. The castle itself is closed to the public but the gardens are open between May and July - missed it again. It looks a bit like Colditz actually. Approaching West Wemyss we stopped off at St Aidan's, a beautiful old church and a place of perfect peace and serenity. On the move again we kept to the path alongside the sea wall which is in very good condition and looks really attractive but actually didn't manage to keep the river Forth out of the Wemyss folk's living rooms in the freak storms of March this year. The Fife coast had a real battering at that time but has made a remarkable recovery. We were really taken with the old buildings in West Wemyss although there are many empty houses. Most of the village and Coaltown of Wemyss also would have belonged to the Wemyss Estate at one time but in the last few years have been taken over by Kingdom Homes. It is such a historic picturesque town, we hope that it is brought up to date by the new owners and given a new lease of life. The wee harbour is really lovely but the best view of it and Blair point is from the top of the long and very steep stairs we are standing on in picture 1.
This is Sandra on her own - how lovely is this.
Now I must go and see the very very Last of the summer wine - back later.
Well, that was a wee bit of a let down for a last episode. Maybe it is time to bow out gracefully. I wonder, can you spot a Foggy, Compo, Pearl, Nora or even a Marina in picture 2?
We soon had the winding gear of the Frances Pit in sight meaning we were only minutes from Dysart, and we stopped as we entered the village to read the lovely memorial to the Pit and it's workers. We were still able to get a last terrific view across the water before we headed downwards towards the harbour.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise

We sang this hymn this morning in church and it was going through my mind as we shared with each other the feeling of gratitude for the beauty around us today. Quickening our pace now we had to make sure we got into the Harbourmaster's house for refreshments before it closed. The poor girl wasn't expecting 13 customers at the last gasp so it took some time to be served but she was pleasant and we were patient. We had not yet completed our walk so the next picture shows the group at the harbour after coffee looking wabbit but happy.

And so a daunder through Ravenscraig Park took us back to Pathhead where we gathered as always and asked God for His safe-keeping until we meet again.

Cupar/ Cuparmuir

We took today's walk from a leaflet prepared by the Rambler's Association, St Andrew's Branch. There are 14 walks described simply and accurately and split into short, medium and long walks. We would recommend the leaflet to other groups and we'll definitely use it again. We parked at Fluthers Car Park in the middle of Cupar and crossed the busy A91 into Station Road then off into Waterend Road which made us feel we were on a country walk right away. The footpath bordered the river and had a good bitumen surface all the way. Clearly it is a well used track for dog walkers and we had to be vigilant lest we trod in deposits left unscooped! Under the South Bridge and a right turn took us into Millgate, a lovely street of beautiful bungalows all with gardens in full bloom. We so thoroughly enjoyed comparing and judging the flowers and giving unqualified opinions on the layout of front gardens that we hardly noticed the incline leading us into Millbank, another lovely residential street with manicured lawns and hedges.Leaving the houses behind we were now on the flat Brighton Road flanked by fields and the great views of countryside that you can only get in the Howe of Fife. A mile goes pretty quickly when you are chatting so we soon arrived in Cuparmuir, a wee settlement of about 35 houses and a phonebox. In the first photo above we are standing outside a house which used to be the village shop. The current owners have tastefully modernised the shop into a home but left the name of M & J Murray above the door, which was really very thoughtful and I'm sure of interest to people passing on foot. Further down this road, Commerce Street, we were again passing our opinions on the renovation of all the houses and the school, then under the railway bridge took us towards Damside Mill which produces animal foodstuffs. Remarkably no pong. Just past the mill we crossed the River Eden by the Simpson Bridge which was built in 1904 for the workers to reach the mill, a paper mill at that time I think. But I can't find out who Simpson was. There was a bit of an incline from there till we reached the main A914 which lead us into Cupar town once again. The first lovely house on our left, Mount PLeasant, had us hanging over the dyke gawping at all the flowers and vegetables they were growing. Apple, pear and plums trees, heavy with fruit, and in the garden below were asparagus, beetroot, cabbage, potatoes to name a few, and sunflowers which must be ten feet tall. Moving on then we left the busy main street via Cow Brae and back to the river again. We appreciated this peaceful stretch after the noise and fast traffic of the A914. You can see by the second photo how relaxed we were. Look at the green, green grass of Cupar too. What a beautiful summer's day we have enjoyed. At the rear of Fisher's laundry are some stairs which took us back to the railway line and we were soon thinking about our coffee stop which was to be at Watt's Eaterie off Station Rd. As the sun was still shining we chose to sit outside and we waited for our order to be taken. We waited patiently. A delightful chatty young waiter took our orders and we waited for them to be served. Our waiter was keeping cool but clearly under pressure and brought the biscuits and cakes first. Then we waited for our drinks. Eatables now scoffed, the tea came but the coffee drinkers waited. Then TA-DA! The coffee arrived. Phew. Because we had spent some time before our refreshments we really had to get the bill right away. Mmm.... Yip more waiting, followed by an excessive estimate by the stressed out waiter, until we finally took charge ourselves and sorted out the bill. Oh dear Watt's this was pretty disappointing. Didn't spoil our enjoyment of the good company though as we chatted and planned how to augment the membership of our wee group. We said our goodbyes at the carpark today and are already looking forward to our next walk in a fortnight.