Lochore Meadows

Ian reports

15 of us set off from the church just after 12.40 and after a relaxing run through the metropolis of Lochgelly and the picturesque hamlets of Glencraig and Lochore we arrived at the Meadows car park.

Although there wasn't much in the  way of sunshine it was a pleasant day. The walk took us around the loch via the path which is strangely called "Around the Loch". At the start we encountered the only part which involves a bit of an incline in The Clune where the normally resident cattle were absent. Just before entering Cadgers Wood some of the more observant of us noticed a large white cross laid out on the side of Falkland Hill. Apparently it had been laid down earlier that morning by St Andrews Ambulance Corps and was to mark the start of National First Aid Week. Thanks for the info Hilda and Kerry. The view back over the Loch from this point was worth a snap or two for those who had cameras.

 

We were unfortunate not to see any of the wildlife which inhabits the parkland but we did meet many friendly souls doing the same as us. We passed three gentlemen on their second time around but when I asked if they were lost they assured me they knew where they were. We stopped in front of Chapel Wood to have a group photo taken and this didn't go down well with a nearby fisherman. He was actually sat in his car reading his Sunday paper but he had a rod set up so I guess that must count as fishing.

 

We got to the end of the 3.6 mls walk in just under an hour and 30 minutes, a bit early for our planned cuppa at Cluny Clays so some of us headed back up to the old Mary Pit entrance and along the Pit Road as far as the Equestrian Centre, down through Quarry Wood and back along the lochside to the cars.A total of 4.6 mls. Everything was set up for us at Cluny Clays where they looked after us really well with tea and coffee, cakes and scones. Thank you all for a very pleasant afternoon.

Lochore Meadows 24th Nov 2013

Ian reports

15 of us set off from the church just after 12.40 and after a relaxing run through the metropolis of Lochgelly and the picturesque hamlets of Glencraig and Lochore we arrived at the Meadows car park.

Although there wasn't much in the  way of sunshine it was a pleasant day. The walk took us around the loch via the path which is strangely called "Around the Loch". At the start we encountered the only part which involves a bit of an incline in The Clune where the normally resident cattle were absent. Just before entering Cadgers Wood some of the more observant of us noticed a large white cross laid out on the side of Falkland Hill. Apparently it had been laid down earlier that morning by St Andrews Ambulance Corps and was to mark the start of National First Aid Week. Thanks for the info Hilda and Kerry. The view back over the Loch from this point was worth a snap or two for those who had cameras.

 

We were unfortunate not to see any of the wildlife which inhabits the parkland but we did meet many friendly souls doing the same as us. We passed three gentlemen on their second time around but when I asked if they were lost they assured me they knew where they were. We stopped in front of Chapel Wood to have a group photo taken and this didn't go down well with a nearby fisherman. He was actually sat in his car reading his Sunday paper but he had a rod set up so I guess that must count as fishing.

 

We got to the end of the 3.6 mls walk in just under an hour and 30 minutes, a bit early for our planned cuppa at Cluny Clays so some of us headed back up to the old Mary Pit entrance and along the Pit Road as far as the Equestrian Centre, down through Quarry Wood and back along the lochside to the cars.A total of 4.6 mls. Everything was set up for us at Cluny Clays where they looked after us really well with tea and coffee, cakes and scones. Thank you all for a very pleasant afternoon.

Blairadam 3rd Nov 2013

Bennochy Walkers Blairadam Forest

 

Well, following a dreich Saturday, Sunday dawned bright and sunny albeit with a cold, westerly wind. A dozen walkers set off for a walk in Blairadam Forest at Kelty.

 

Parking at Baxters (formerly Kathellen) we strode across the B914 and entered the forest. A vast amount of tree felling had been taking place and what previously would have been dense wood now gave a great panorama which includrd the “sleeping giant”, West Lomond, Largo Law and Bay, the wind turbine at Fife Energy Plant at Methil and Berwick Law

 

Striding on, we were careful as the narrow road we were walking on also led to another parking area for walkers and the Forestry Commission Blairadam Depot. The nice day had brought a lot of people out from young people’s groups to families and dog walkers. A short walk into the forest we took a fork to the left of the track which took us along the Glen Trail alongside Kelty Burn. We noted along this track some type of old building work which caused some discussion. Having now had the chance to look at an information leaflet I can say that what we saw was the “remains of the “100 foot bridge” which carried the railway over the Glen to the Blairenbathie pit” which was just one of the many pits in the area

 

Walking to the end of the glen we exited it via an underpass of the M90 and continued on until we reached Keltyhill, where we commented on the lovely old cottages, one even had a clock tower with a commemoration plaque. Moving briskly on we headed towards Kelty and cutting through a large park area eventually came to the footpath over the M90 and again back into the forest for a brief time. The last half mile was what could be classed as a “lang hing” as what goes down must eventually go up again. However the thought of tea, coffee and scones at Baxters, fair geed us up because some of our “tongues were fair hinging oot”.

 

Back at Baxters we enjoyed the lovely scones, butter and jam and general chat around the table before we managed to squeeze a wee look at the shop, fair bedecked with Christmas goodies. What a lot we packed into the afternoon and as always the good company made a good walk even better

Raith Woods October 2013