After all the amount
of rain we've had over the last few weeks we were keeping our fingers crossed
that our walk would take place.
Parking in Balbirnie Park we had a very short walk along the B 9130 into
Markinch where we took a left turn into Commercial Street leading us into
School Street and then Northall Road which took us under the railway viaduct
and to the start of the Braes Loan Circular Trail, a historical walk. A very
good information board and leaflets were available here and obviously a good
sweetie stop. Starting at this point the walk is 2.5 miles and after a short,
steepish, muddyish start you soon get lovely views of the Lomond Hills and over
the Forth to Berwick Law, and Arthur Seat. The track is well signposted with
various points where you can stop and enjoy the views and There is another
information board half way along the walk. Balgonie Castle is pictured on the
information board but it took the 14 of us quite a while to spot it in reality
and we only did that because we saw a very tiny Saltire fluttering in the
distance above a group of trees. A photo opportunity here with a field of sheep
watching the high jinks
Following the circular route we returned to Markinch and made a bee line to
Banners House where tea, coffee and scones awaited us. We were very comfortable
and cosy here and as always the chat flowed through a variety of topics and all
too soon we were on our way back to the cars. As always good friends, good
company and dry weather
