We set off as usual at 12.45, nine of us in two cars and drove up to the car park in Greenside place in Leslie. One of the group remarked that they once had hangings here but it wasn't clear if they were flower baskets, pictures or the very worst members of the area's underbelly. We left the car park and set off on a section of the Monk's Walk, so called as it was once used by the members of monasteries in south of Fife as they ventured off to carry civilisation and the Christian word to the out laying places to the North including Kennoway , Cupar and across the river to Dundee and Tayside. We carried on to the High street and then across the viaduct where we met some little kids who wanted to know what we were doing and why some of us needed sticks. We then joined the network of paths and trail via this Leslie trail as the sign said. The other sign that caught my eye was one saying FORP which I thought must be Fife Organization of Roads and Paths or something but it is actually Friends Of Riverside Park, who are group of volunteers who look after the park etc. We followed this rather muddy part of the walk till we came to the River Leven and followed its bank taking us under the B969 road, across the little bridge and into the main car park. From there we strolled ( it got warmer) up the other side of the river and on passed the derelict shell of Leslie House. We stopped here to have a longer look at its sad state and agreed that it must have been a beautiful building in it's time.It was built between 1667 and 1674 for the Duke of Rothes and became the seat of the Rothes family. It was called locally Villa de Rothes and became the centre of the village. It was such a fine house and is said to have rivalled Holyrood in size and glamour. It experienced various refurbishment more than one big fire, the last of which coming in 2009 leaving it in it's present sorry state. It is now thought to be in the hands of a developer who intends to create luxury flats but safety and planning issues have this on hold. We returned to the cars and went off for tea and scones at Alfresco in Glenrothes shopping centre where we also chose the tasks each of us would carry out on our summer trip. We had to pick the tasks for those who weren't with us thus ensuring that they got the worst tasks. Just kidding. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and the weather stayed fine. Roll on the next
Todays walk saw 14 walkers return to Lochore Meadows, last visited by the group in November 2017.
From the onset the weather was rather dull but dry. We enjoyed a nice relaxing loop of Loch Ore covering roughly 3.5 miles.
Coffee stop was at the cafe named after the former local councillor, Willie Clarke which opened in 2018. Tea, coffee biscuits and cakes were enjoyed by all.
Thanks to Carol and Bill, todays walk leaders. Next walk arranged for Sunday 21st April
(Easter Sunday)
Sunday 10th March 2019A dozen hardy walkers, braving the cold, headed off from our usual meeting place at the church, all with fingers crossed in the hope it would stay dry, which luckily it did.Todays starting point was Leven Promenade which seems to now have an influx of ‘traffic calming’ speed bumps. Unfortunately not all drivers were aware of this and so some were in for a bumpy ride.
Off we headed across the golf course, past the back of a housing scheme and over the main road to the entrance of Letham Glen. Entering the glen, we made our way up the main path, recalling the last time Bennochy Walkers had covered this walk and of the hilarity we had as various members had tried their hand at the outdoor exercise equipment. Too cold today to stop, we had to keep moving onwards although we did have time to pause while Isobel dispensed the boiled sweets to help us on our way. On leaving the glen, we veered right, following a farm track which eventually brought us to the edge of Blacketyside Farm. Here we crossed the main road into Silverburn Park, shortly picking up the golf course path again, leading us back to the Promenade car park.A short drive brought us to Wellsgreen Golf Range, our very welcome stop for the obligatory tea, coffee and scones which were enjoyed by everyone along with the smooth, faultless service.While we enjoyed our tea and coffee it was mentioned to the group that the Bennochy Walkers Blog seemed to have fallen by the wayside. It was agreed that this duty would now be shared by Ian and Kerry with the option that anyone leading any further walk could write their own blog if they desired. All present seemed happy with this arrangement including todays walk leader. (thank you Audrey) Next walk agreed for Sun 7th April.Kerry 😀Sent from my iPhone
