Markinch to Leslie

 

For a variety of reasons, many of our group had to pull out of today's walk so there were only ten of us made the journey to Markinch Railway Station where we parked up. The route started at Carleton House, property of the local authority, but one time the world famous John Haig Whisky bottling factory.



Some of us will remember the famous Haig's Dimple in it's distinctive pinched bottle with its gilded mesh. So if you have one of these unopened little gems from the '70s at the back of your drinks cabinet it will be worth a cool £80 now.
The route was formally the Markinch - Leslie railway line, closed in the 1960s - hardly any of the tracks still visible. So on tarmac almost all the way, we crossed the Balbirnie viaduct at which we read the Leslie Railway Line plaque which  told us that we had another 4.5 miles to go to reach Leslie.

 

Engrossed in conversations, we didn't note too much of the surroundings, and with the weather looking ominous, we were making progress rather than stopping and admiring the views as we usually do. At a choice of two paths, we chose the left as the right would have taken us to the sadly, former Tullis Russell Papermills which closed recently . This would have been Auchmuty Junction when the railway was in use. We emerged into Alburne Park, from there walking under the A92 towards the Lomond Centre. The path we took up is actually the cycle path through Glenrothes called Boblingen Way and so it was a good surface, easy walking. Some way into Warout Wood, we needed an energy boost so the sweetie bag was passed around with the usual instruction, "one for your mouth and one for your pocket."

Passing some industrial buildings, the familiar outline of the Lomonds came into view. We Fifers must have the contours of these hills etched on our brains - they are always strangely comforting. 

Now crossing the busy South Parks Road  we approached the 14 arch Leslie viaduct which took us over the River Leven and a herd of black cattle below.

 

        

 

The last stretch of the legs up the brae called Cabbagehall past the site of Fettykil, yet another of the papermills for which this part of Fife was well known and yes, now also defunct. Time for coffee and scones. Well, at the risk of being offensive Leslie, I couldn't think of a nice coffee shop ( but have since been informed of one - the Twa Hens)  so who else might make good scones? Correct. The Women's Guild at Trinity Parish Church of course.

The ladies had the tables set for our arrival and we were well impressed by the welcome we had there and the goodies on offer. Thank you Mary and friends for providing us with refreshments.

Hope you can call in at Bennochy some Thursday morning to the Olive Branch Community Café where we can reciprocate with coffee and homemade cakes. ( unashamed plug!)

Another lovely, healthy afternoon spent with good friends.

How fortunate we are.

 

 

                        

 

Strathmiglo

Twenty members of the group set off by car for Falkland where we caught the bus, which we nearly filled, must have made it the busiest journey for some time on this route.  We were whisked away to Strathmiglo, deposited outside the local pub and waved away by a very bemused driver.  Made our way down through California (yes honestly) to reach the path for Falkland.  Bit of an ascent initially for a quarter of a mile, but the next stretch to woodland provided panoramic views eastward to Dunshalt and westward to Gateside.  A pleasant day, fair, overcast and warm.  Traversed the woodland path and minor road to the Pillars of Hercules with the Lomond Hills for company along our route.  More woodland followed with the Squirrel Walk before passing the cricket ground and a tented village which had been erected in conjunction with Youth Theatre and then back into Falkland.  The walk was just short of five miles, a canny dander indeed.  Next stop, the Lomond Hotel, Freuchie, for relaxation over a cuppa and the customary scone with mouth watering additions.

Silverburn

16 walkers left the church on 7^th June for the car park on the promenade in Leven.   Foregoing the attractions of the Action Zone we proceeded along the beach  to the end of the caravan park when a left turn was made between the two golf courses (and where Mary handed out the usual one for now and one for your pocket).   Passing through the walled garden at Silverburn we proceeded to the north entrance and crossed the busy A915 to the road leading up to Blacketyside Farm, passing many fruit tents where ripening strawberries made your mouth water.    Passing Blacketyside House and across the B927 we proceeded past Coldstream Farm to the top of Letham Glen.  Through a gateway of small round stones we made our way down into the Glen stopping at the outdoor exercise equipment where some of our walkers couldn’t resist “having a go”.   At the formal entrance we crossed to take the path by the Scoonie Burn and back towards the promenade where we were joined by Joe for our usual tea, coffee, scones and musical tables and chairs at the Leven Golf Society Golf Club.   We finished this most enjoyable day with the walker’s prayer before departing for home.   

Treasure Hunt in Perth

Forth Road Bridge

 

Our walking group left the church on Sunday 19th April. There was 18 of us and we welcomed two new walkers Wilma and Ronnie. We started our walk from the car park at the north queens ferry hotel, we were hoping to do the west side of the bridge so we could get a good view of the new bridge but it was closed so we had to do the windy east side. With three novice bridge  walkers, Isobel  Janet and Wilma we hoped they would be ok and once they got chatting and enjoying the views they were fine. Dianne had to leave us halfway to go to work and we met Joe in South Queens Ferry where we walked on though the town to the rail bridge bistro for tea and scones. We were met with a warm welcome and very efficient service from the staff so I think we will be back again soon.
   Mary took some group photos of us on the prom with the bridges in the background , we are so lucky to have such a super place to visit . Back though the town we had a good look at the many gift shops (of course) and over the windy bridge again to our cars, we finished another great walk with the walkers prayer.
  Many thanks for you great company Janis

Kirkcaldy to Kinghorn Coastal Path

Well it is officially British summer time but as you can see by the photograph we were well wrapped up. This is a walk we have done a couple of times but it never fails to make you stop and take stock of your surroundings Binoculars at the ready we were not disappointed with the amount of seals we spotted on a rock off Seafield Tower, all sunbathing with not a care in the world. They were too far distant to be bothered by mere humans While in our coffee stop at the Carousel in Kinghorn and after browsing their lovely wee gift area, we watched the snow/sleet showers moving across the Forth, so we waited a while to let it past before heading back along the path to Kirkcaldy. Finishing with our Walkers Prayer we said our farewells until our next walk planned for 19 April

Valleyfield Woods - snowdrop trail

something missing.

Eleven walkers took part in what has to be the coldest, wettest walk we have ever done.
The weathermen got it all wrong.  We parked up in the Main Street in Torryburn and started off at the archway which leads to Torrie House occupied by the Earl of  Wemyss, but he was in London apparently so wasn't around to invite us for tea.
We crossed the very busy A925 and into woods on the other side. It was pretty glaury and actually had to walk through a field, just to avoid the main road. Then on to a country road,  so out came the high viz jackets and single file walking for a good mile. The sleet started about then and the snell wind was biting every bit of skin that wasn't covered up. A balaclava would have been the very thing.

something else missing.

We made good progress and before long came across Shirefield where there is a riding school for disabled horseriders. We picked up leaflets about the snowdrop trail here and planned our route.

There is an area which is called the walled garden, designed by Humphrey Repton. We did see a very high wall but no garden. An old worthy, John Lamb whom we met on the recce explained the changes to the gardens as environmental vandalism. I had to agree there was nothing worth visiting here. So we took a short cut at the weir avoiding the kitchen garden and reaching the
woodland walk sooner than expected. At least here we were protected from the wind. Someone mentioned coffee and scones and our pace quickened. By the time we reached Torryburn again, the sleet and wind was really whipping up and we were glad to take shelter back in the cars.

The short journey from Torryburn to Limekilns was horrendous. The sleet was battering down on the cars and looking out on the Forth, we could see nothing but a wall of sleet crashing vertically into the river. What a bizarre sight.
Limekilns is a lovely wee coastal town with some delightful private shops, a great pub and a freshly renovated old stone building called the Sundial café which was our coffee stop today. Eleven treacle, fruit and cherry scones were scoffed and washed down with delicious coffee  - good for the soul.
All too quickly, we donned our soaking wet jackets again and set out for the car journey home, but not before we visited a crafty wee gift shop where some of us made purchases.

There were some things missing today. Snowdrops for a start. There seems to be far fewer snowdrops than in previous visits - certainly not enough to call a trail. And photographs. This must be the first time ever the walkers have not been snapped on a walk. And lastly we forgot our prayer before departing. Och.  Not the usual warm feeling after walking with friends, but character - building.