Dunfermline

On Pentecost Sunday we decided to venture to the ancient capital of Scotland ---- no, not Edinburgh or Stirling --- but Dunfermline! Three carloads travelled along to Pittencrieff car park, abandoned our cars and set off through the ‘Glen’ down to the lower gate. Our first stop was at the Andrew Carnegie birthplace museum --- which has recently been renovated and expanded and this was a very interesting visit. We learned a lot about the world’s richest man and greatest philanthropist. Apart from having access to the wee upstairs room where the whole Carnegie family lived (fascinating) we also learned about many other families and companies from elsewhere in Britain and overseas who have given away billions of pounds to the needy (eg the families Rowntree, Cadbury, Heinz and many more).

Then we moved on, up to the ancient Abbey buildings, through the Pends , past the old Royal Palace and into the Abbey Kirk. We were met by Anne Toshack who told us about the history of the Abbey site from the time of King David 1st (and before) – the story about his parents King Malcolm and Queen Margaret (and her sanctification) –then through the Reformation --- right up to the early nineteenth century when the present Abbey Kirk was constructed. We wandered around the Kirk and looked through to the Nave of the ancient Abbey --- built by the same masons who built Durham Cathedral. Of course, we heard the story of King Robert the Bruce and saw the beautiful marble and brass memorial plaque on top of his grave, which lies directly below the Pulpit.

We moved on to the Abbot House for our customary coffee and cake stop---- braw!

Finally, we walked back through the Glen to our starting point.

It was a good visit, and the weather was kind to us!

Torryburn 29th May 2011

Mary and Joe proposed this walk as they happened upon it last year. Once at Torryburn there is a nice flat walk along the shore towards Crombie Point, suitable for wheelchair users. Today it was blawin' a gale but we so enjoyed being buffeted and getting the cobwebs blown away. Then came our visit to the Southern Hemisphere Gardens which proved to be fascinating to all of us. First of all we accessed the gardens through wonderful wrought iron gates which were replicated throughout the area. These were worth discussion even before we reached the plants. The lady who has developed these beautiful gardens, Ursula McHardy, is a botanist whose passion for exotic species and longing to create her own botanic garden was realised only seven years ago. With the help and vision of her daughter and dedicated gardeners she has transformed a neglected overgrown space and woodland. It is a private garden and free to walk around and enjoy but donations are welcome to help with upkeep. There were plants, trees and vegetation from the Antipodes , South America and South Africa as well as some we actually recognised. There were little waterfalls and a pond where the lilies looked as if they were just about to burst. Mrs McHardy had planted each area with the same type of plant eg insect eating ones, rock plants and bog-loving plants. We could have listened to this lady for a long time. She believes in the evolution of plants and spoke scathingly about some new varieties. If her flowers and plants do not turn out 'the same or better than Mama then they are best to be thrown on the compost heap.' A lesson learned. We had to move on though after looking in on her vegetable plot and her chickens, but we all felt we would pay a return visit.

A cirular walk in the countryside brought us back to the cars and then the second delight of the day - fabby scones at Culross Palace! And what a variety! Have you ever fancied a corned beef and beetroot scone? Well, go sample one at Bessie 's Tearoom. Spirits raised, we headed for home.

Easter Morning . Falkland Hill

Wait for it................

Kettlehill

Thanks must go to Hamish Brown again for planning the route for today's walk. It has been a glorious day in wonderful Fife countryside and our souls are all the better for soaking up the wholesomeness (is that a word?). You can tell this was a good 'un.
We parked at Kettlehill and walked in a circle through Coaltown of Burnturk, Downfield Farm,actually through ploughed fields and over fences, some of us surprised at our own agility. We encountered many heilan' coos and sheep with their wee lambs today, and a prize bull gave us the evil eye as he heard us estimating how many steaks he could provide. We kind of went astray at farm houses called Brotus, but ended up on Middleton Road, the Main Road leading back into Burnturk. We stopped a couple of times on this road to give way to drivers who were clearly not interested in taking in the views. But we also stopped at the best vantage point to enjoy the spectacular views from the Lomonds across the Howe of Fife which was at its best today. Downhill from here on in, we stopped in Burnturk at a dilapidated old house which had a breadbin in the open window. On investigation it seems that daily newspapers are deposited here for collection by the local folk. How quaint.
The pedometer showed only just over 4 miles but we all think it got it wrong again.
On to Muddy Boots for our refreshments and planning for the next couple of walks. 15 friends shared a lovely, healthy afternoon with a lorra lorra laughs. Yecannawhackit.

Woodside to Markinch

Thirteen members of Bennochy Walkers ventured out on a circular walk starting at Lomond Centre, Woodside and descending to the River Leven, crossing at West Mill Cottage. Over the A911 to join the cycle path to the Railway Station in Markinch, then onward & upward to the East Gate entrance of Balbirnie Park. A short walk in the park ensued, culminating in light refreshments at the Laurel Bank Hotel. The homeward leg was via John Dixon Park, Balbirnie Bridge and Alburne Park. Spotting a Heron, en route, was our wildlife treat. The damp conditions were made light of by cheery chat & good companionship

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.