Binnend, Burntisland

 

Janet wrote -

On a very windy morning nine walkers left by car for Kinghorn where we parked next to the Carousel cafe and gift shop.  We walked up to the War Memorial, crossed the High Street, into Baliol Street and up passed the school.   From there we turned towards and onto Kinghorn Golf Course which was, thankfully, empty of golfers so we suffered no bumps on the head or shouts of 'Fore'.

From the Club House it was a steady but steep uphill track that took us passed the caravan park on one side and the golf course on the other.   We passed Grangehill House, walked around the farm and when we reached the main road at Gallowhill we passed through a gate (held open by for us by a gentleman), crossed the road and went through another fence onto Binnend Path.   By this time some of us were peching a wee bit and the wind was certainly getting stronger.

Up the path we went and we reached a rest area (see photo) where we enjoyed a wonderful view over the Firth of Forth and a few sweeties from Mary's seemingly bottomless supply.   There were also visitor boards explaining what we would see and also giving information about who lived in Binn Village, why it came into being and we marveled at the fact that shale was mined so long ago, was discontinued and is now being talked about today.

 

We walked on and then when we were near the old ruins of the village we turned left down a steep narrow path to take us to Burntisland.   Here we found evidence of how strong the wind had been during the night as one of the trees had been broken and was hanging over the path.   We squeezed around it and continued downhill and then a ferocious sounding dog appeared with its owner; so 'ferocious' that it let us pet it as we passed!

 

Down passed the Golf Club and left behind the flats and into wood edge until we met Kirkbank Road.   Some of us felt they just had to have a wee look at a old and rather grand house.   There were many ideas of what it might have been and what it might be now but.....?  Anyway, we turned left down Greenmount Road South and when we met the main road across from Sands Hotel we had to make a decision.   Should we continue back along the main or cross over, down to the beach and walk along to Pettycur?   For the most of us it was no contest but three brave and sturdy walkers went off to check whether they could make it along the beach.   Alas the tide was too far in so they followed us along the main road back to Kinghorn, and, even with the deviation to the beach, they made it back as quickly as the rest of the group.

Then it was into Carousel where we had our usual tea/coffee, scone and a good old blether and then after a short prayer we all headed home.

We'd had no rain, lots of strong winds to blow the cobwebs away, steep inclines and declines to test our legs, lovely views and plenty of chat.

It had been another good day with good company!