Crook of Devon

We ventured out of Fife this time for a wee change travelling by minibus to the Crook of Devon, Kinross. Not Perthshire.
The first half of the walk took us past County Fabrics, and Fossoway Primary School then off into the countryside. We smelled the woodsmoke and heard the sausages sizzling long before we reached the Scout camp. The tents looked mighty drookit after the rainfall they must have had last night. The Ochils were up ahead and we compared the view favourably with our own Lomonds. We crossed a new extremely sturdy bridge across the Devon. We reckon it will be there for a good fifty years. The path took us along the riverside but it was very boggy at parts and we did have to do a triple jump over one stretch. Into the forest there was a good path and this allowed our feet to dry off a little.  The next landmark was Lendrick Muir  which is currently owned and run by the Scripture Union.

This is a fabulous resource for young people with exciting outdoor activities, sports halls, meeting room s etc. Even old folk might love the fun here - maybe Bennochy's Trustees could go on a team building weekend? Moving on.....

Now according to the map taken from the internet, there ought to have been a bridge which would take us across the Devon again. Apparently though it was washed away a couple of years ago and not replaced. So we had a wee clamber through the woods at Rumbling Bridge Gorge which was really lovely. The gorge is quite spectacular especially the waterfalls after heavy rain.When we reached the actual Rumbling Bridge, or bridges as seen in the photo below, there was a two feet step which the diminutive among us required a fireman's lift to surmount, before we could walk across to the other side.

 

Now on the south of the river we headed back to the village of Crook of Devon where the innkeeper was waiting for us with hot drinks and biscuits. And once refreshed we took a brisk walk,as it was raining by then, along the High Street back to the minibus. Fifteen walkers today - every one a trouper.

Kinghorn

Most of us chose to take the train along to Kinghorn as we can travel very cheaply when we flash our MyFife cards. We didn't expect many walkers as today's route was less than three miles, a mere stretch of the legs. However 17 of us turned up and we got off to a good start from Kinghorn station, crossed at the monument and headed for the golf course. It was quite amusing when we were crossing the road; the traffic stopped to allow us across in safety like little ducklings, schoolchildren or maybe the auld and bewildered.

As we passed the clubhouse, the path began to slope upwards a tad and so we stopped halfway to take in some air as well as the coastline from Fifeness at the most westerly point of Fife down to the Salisbury Crags protecting our capital city across the Forth. The Bass rock and Berwick Law were right there on the horizon, the May Island to the north and Inchkeith and Inchcolm to the south. You would simply never tire of this magnificent panorama.

At the top, we passed the Pettycur Caravan Park where many of the caravans at the highest point are residential, for obvious reasons. On past Gallowhill plantation and Grangehill House and a downward slope which we appreciated. It was a good surface to walk and the path wide enough for 3 abreast; conducive to good conversations being struck up. Coming towards the B923 with the Binn up there to our left, we chose to go right. We gathered for a photo shoot, those pictured here seemingly happy to be incarcerated.

A very silly joke from childhood ran through my head, 

                           There were two hedgehogs standing at the side of the road.

                           One turns to the other and says, "Shall we cross the road?"

                           The other one says, "No! Look what happened to the zebra!"

However, with Bob D on crossing patrol, thankfully we managed to safely traverse the very busy 'loch road' between Kinghorn and Burntisland.

Now the incline at the start of the walk had been intimated beforehand but here was another unexpected one, with chopped down trees and lots of glaur to negotiate around. We took it at a canny pace though, just enough to raise the heart rate a little, and emerged from the woods looking down on Craigencalt and Kinghorn Loch. Craigencalt Ecology Centre has become an educational centre for sustainable ecological projects and wildlife, as well as encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to come and volunteer in all of the conservation work that goes on. A great asset for Kinghorn and our environment.

The loch was a bit choppy today and so the ducks and geese, dozens of them, were on dry land and approached us menacingly when we were on their territory. We had to shout, "Christmas!" so that they would scarper long enough to let us get another photo taken.

We didn't visit the Ecology Centre because there were too many of us to sneak in without paying. We walked along the road leading to Red Path Brae, or the 'kissing trees road' as known, but didn't go there as it is really too narrow and twisty to be safe for 17 walkers. So back to civilisation again via Kilcruik Road and we admired all the lovely big houses there, one of which is on sale right now for a mere half mill. Into Townhead we passed many 18th and 19th century houses which are being kept in good order by their owners. Further downhill we move further back in time in North Overgate with a variety of very old buildings with a long history. Just then, the smirr made an appearance which signalled time for refreshments. We discovered it is not easy to get a cuppa in Kinghorn at 3pm, however the Carousel obliged and we had time to rest and debrief before getting the train back to the Lang Toun.  Another good one notched up.

Springfield

We've been looking forward to this walk for some considerable time. Starting at Fluthers car park we walked along the side of the river which was running fast and very high. It had clearly flooded over onto the paths recently according to the mud we had to wade through. Along Millgate and up Millbank brought us to a nice flat road which led to Cuparmuir, a quaint little settlement of around 35 houses and a red telephone box. Hilda stopped to make a call there. NB the Urtica dioica - a jaggy nettle to you and me - being cultivated in the corner of the kiosk.
We cut through at Elmwood Farm, part of the Elmwood college campus where students are trained in equine studies, agriculture, the breeding of sheep and farm animals, and general care of pets. What a great facility for the young people of Fife. We all remarked how clean and healthy the ewes looked.
Every now and then we popped our raincoats on but in the main  we were staying dry.
We reached Stratheden Hospital where a football match was taking place and we walked through the grounds which are very well kept. The hospital buildings are typical of what you imagine a 19th century asylum to look like and yet we admired the architecture, and that of the adjacent nursing home, built to replicate the original building, but now vacant. Leaving the hospital grounds behind we walked along the edge of Springfield Woods noting to our right Uthrogle Mills where Quaker make our porridge oats.
At the end of this path just before we reached Springfield, the sun simply burst out showing off the green checkered landscape in all it's glory. Now this is the weather we planned, but as there was no guarantee, we had booked the church hall for an hour so that we could have our picnic and use their facilities. Belt and braces. The minister had very kindly agreed to this request and directed me to the house of Mrs Paul, the senior elder at Springfield Church, and the Keeper of the Keys. She was delightful and gave me the keys to allow us access to the church hall. Well, we do get around the coffee shops in Fife you know (and score them according to the quality of scone),  but they paled into insignificance when we walked into Springfield church hall. We all just ahhhed. The smell, the photos on the walls, the history it held made us all smile and remember our youth and imagine all the coffee mornings, guild concerts, session meetings and fellowship that wee building has witnessed. Long may it be preserved. When I returned the keys and a wee contribution to Mrs Paul afterwards she disclosed that she was 96 yrs old. Well, may she also be preserved; another Springfield treasure. Thank you Rev Campbell for allowing our group to experience the hall.

Onward we did wend taking the route via Elmwood Golf Course where the fairways looked lush and the greens manicured. We kept our heads low as we crossed the course to reach the path which would take us back to Cuparmuir again. Sun was scorching and the rain was drizzling through at the same time. Wacky or what.

Now this was a 7 mile one today, for most of us. But our Mary had skipped communion this morning to do the Race for Life and so she had another 5k under her belt, yet she strode out showing up some of us who were waning. There were only seven of us which is the fewest we have had for a long time. Plenty of chat as always though; what a great bunch of friends we are. Almost back at the cars, the rain came on for real this time, but we still took time to stand behind the toilet block to say a wee prayer.
We sung it today actually, to the tune  Ae fond kiss.

                                         May the God of peace go with us;

                                         as we travel from this place

                                         may the love of Jesus keep us

                                         firm in hope and full of grace.

Go on then. Sing up.

Loch Leven

http://www.lochlevenheritagetrail.co.uk/LLHT_map.pdf

We've been planning this walk for a year knowing that we ought to avoid the height of summer as we'd be eaten alive with midges down by the loch. As it happens, today was an absolute scorcher,  so we we were very fortunate that it was too hot even for the midges. 
We began at Kinross Pier where we took in a terrific view of the loch, Lochleven Castle and the hills beyond. Good for the soul. So, laggered with our factor 50+ and donning an assortment of interesting headgear, off we toddled in twos like nursery kids.

Kirkgate Park was very busy with families playing ball games, swimming in the loch and having barbeques. The scouts were there too having a raft-building competition and it was a lovely atmosphere.This was to be a 7 mile walk so no dilly-dallying, in fact perhaps we should have stopped and stared a little more today.

However we had to get caught up with each others' lives which is always interesting. We usually like to do circular walks but it was a case of there and back today so we stopped just short of Carsewell Bog and returned by the same route, stopping at Burleigh Sands for a wee rest and some photos. And at Mary's gate we went through the woods, around the Golf course and through Kinross town just to vary the walk a little.

  Refreshments were at the Bistro back at the Pier  so we sat under huge sunshades on the wooden decking looking out over the Loch; it must have been over 22 degrees, hotter that Turkey today according to Joe.
Just glorious.
We did have to wait a good half hour to be served with our coffee and scones but we were in such good moods, we just enjoyed the company.

Falkland Estate

We had a lovely service at church this morning. The Albany Deaf Choir visited and the congregation was enthralled with the choir's signing of the Lord's Prayer and several well known hymns. Today is also the beginning of Christian Aid week so we had an encouraging sermon from Robin followed by a soup and sweet lunch provided by the talented Bennochy cooks in aid of CA. Lots of thoughts and emotions today then; plenty to be going on with all week.

So we left much later than usual in 3 cars heading for Falkland. Parking up at the main car park we put our hoods up (!) and wandered through the historic royal burgh soaking up the passage of time.We discussed the cottages as we passed, most of which are at least 200 years old but have been renovated to a very high standard, situated in an idyllic setting, surrounded by rustic charm and overseen by the magnificent palace. I've been watching too many episodes of Location, Location, Location.  As we left the town we admired Falkland Hill up there to our left - been there. Done that.

Just into the estate we passed Falkland House which is  a residential school for boys who have additional support needs, and then we were into the trees. What a lovely walk through the woods, over wee bridges, through a tunnel and we hardly noticed that we had already begun to climb through Maspie Den. There were a few glaury and quite dangerous areas where the recent rains had made the stone steps slimy. The steps began to get steeper but there was not a suitable place to stop for a rest so we just had to pech and keep going, conscious of one of our walkers who has had a recent op but still determined to get to the top. We gathered for a photo at the Yad waterfall and the overhanging rock  then a wee short burst of energy brought us to the very top and that's where we absorbed the view of the East Lomond and beyond.

Sometimes it is just as difficult to go downhill as up, so a few were complaining about knee pain as we descended through the forest, noting all the trees still left upturned, some over paths, probably since the gales we had in January. As we emerged from the woods we came upon a house and workshop - Tom's Place - where Tom spends his days making garden furniture from wood. Thank you to Tom for showing us photos of the Temple of Decision which we didnt have time to visit today, and also of Falkland House School. Some of us were very interested in the school and plan to visit at the open day in September.Still descending we passed a dry stane dyke which had face-stones with old Scots words engraved - Bletherin', Stravaigin' etc and then into more woods before we eventually reached our watering hole for today - the Pillars of Hercules. Wacky name for this lovely organic cafe and shop where you do get an exceptional quality of coffee and home baking. Yum yum.

.

After a nice rest we retraced our path until we reached the 'Bletherin' dyke then took a short cut past the cricket pitch to get back to Falkand again.

Only 8 hail-hertit kempies braved the wind and rain today although due to the amount of blethers we had to take part in as we walked, we hardly noticed the weather at all until we returned to the cars. It's good to hear folk asking about the next walk already.

East Wemyss to Kirkcaldy

On the way to church this morning I noted that the thunderclouds were nursing their wrath across the Forth and I prayed they would remain over the Lothians. Naughty.
Today was the return meeting of Bennochy and St Andrew's Erskine Walking groups and we had planned to do part of the coastal path. We assembled outside the kirk at 1.30 and shoogled into as few cars as possible to take us to Pathhead Village where we caught the No 13. There were so many walkers getting on the bus the driver's schedule went skew-wiff as it took a good 8 minutes to swipe all the bus passes - some of us young ones had to cough up £2.40 for the fare though. It was a bit of a mystery tour but we got to East Wemyss around 2.30 and began our walk at Macduff Castle descending very steeps stairs to the coast below. Now if I had done my homework, I would have been able to describe the Wemyss caves which do actually start below Macduff Castle. They are not open to the public any longer except for organised tours during the summer months. Apologies to Charlie for giving duff information; the caves are at East Wemyss, not West Wemyss. Must do better.

It was nice to speak to new people, discovering a little about their lives and comparing notes about churches. To start with, the sun was hitting the Forth and it glittered like glass. I recognised sandpipers at the waters edge. All very pleasing. Ah well, by the time we were approaching West Wemyss, the heavens had opened and we had to don our waterproofs pretty sharpish. This did not dampen our spirits though or halt conversations in any way. That's what becomes of hoping bad weather stays with the folk across the water.

Only about 50 feet above sea level we noted Wemyss Castle. This 12th century castle is the ancient seat of the Earls of Wemyss and their families and is currently inhabited by the clan chief Michael Wemyss and his wife Charlotte. Looks a bit like Colditz don't you think?

This next photo is of a mosaic created by children from the local primary school and adults from the community with the permission of Michael Wemyss. Swans are depicted on the Wemyss family crest and also the Primary school emblem. There is also a Sycamore bench there, created by a local craftsman though we didn't take time to rest.

We reached the village of West Wemyss passing the church which was bought by the Wemyss family from the Church of Scotland promising the upkeep of the exterior provided that it always remains a church. We should be grateful that this condition ensures that worship will continue here for the foreseeable future. This quaint little village has a lot of history still to see including the Tolbooth dating back to 1511 and again the Wemyss family has been instrumental in protecting, renovating and investing to keep the village alive. Very recently the Wemyss Arms was renovated through funding from the Lottery and is now a very attractive Bistro and Hostel called the Walk Inn. Let me recommend the onion soup with crusty bread and the ploughman's lunch.

Just outside the village is the lovely little harbour which now only has a few small pleasure boats but historically was a busy port exporting coal and bringing back wood, flax and iron from Baltic countries. 

We knew that, just as we had descended all those steps at the beginning of the walk, we would have to ascend at some stage so here we are hanging on for dear life as the steps were steep and treacherous at some parts. But the view of the Wemyss at the top was worth getting puffed for, though the photo below is a bit peely-wally and doesn't do the view justice.

 

Following the formidable red stone sea wall to the former Royal Burgh of Dysart, and now dried out considerably, we stopped for a photo shoot with Pan Ha' and St Serf's Tower in the background. Pan - from the salt pans which lay here on the Ha' - haugh meaning flat land. St Serf's Tower is the only remaining part of the church and tower and was used as a battlement in the World Wars.

Onward past the picturesque harbour at Dysart, we enjoyed reading the names of the boats. Through the tunnel and we could see Ravenscraig Park above us. At this point, I heard the words, tea... coffee...cookies... so I phoned Margaret and Bob who had offered to open the kirk up and get the kettle boiling for our return. Steps now quickening we emerged from the park onto Dysart Road and crossed to Pathhead village where we had left our cars.
As promised, the refreshments were ready waiting for us at the church (in the St Andrew's hall actually), and we were ready for them. Charlie, leader of St Andrew's group, thanked the Bennochy folk for the goodies etc and acknowledged that the groups have an affinity. We think we will meet again.
And before they left we simply had to go into the sanctuary and show off our new stained glass window to our new St Andrew's friends which received their glowing admiration.
Thank you Isobel, Charlie, Jane, Moira, Mary, Dave, Vicky, Thelma and Lorraine for your good company today. Fond thoughts.

Easter Morning 8th April 2012

Up with the larks this morning the walkers left the church at 0730 heading for Falkland Hill. We took the minibus hoping that we might have some new people just wanting a taster on Easter morning. We did have one newbie, Lewis, who was enticed to come along by the promise of a bacon butty back at the church. We missed several of our usual walkers, some of whom had a doctor's line.
It was a lovely clear morning, though a bit parky, and even from the car park at Purin Hill we saw for miles across the Forth, north to south. We chose a nice flat spot to have a wee short time of celebration. Rona gave us the Easter message - old familiar words delivered in her own inimitable way, and Charlie prayed a lovely prayer, almost in verse. Thank you R & C. We all sang a couple of hymns - and we really belted them out - and felt content with this good start to Easter Day.

Meanwhile, in the background, Lewis was getting the tail secured onto the kite, and as we began the climb up the East Lomond, it was sent flying with the message HE IS RISEN for all to see. We had some fantoosh stunts and a couple of nose dives (the kite that is) but the wind was just strong enough to keep it flying a good long time. Other people we passed who had already been up the hill asked us for a photo of our kite, so they must have the message as well.

We all climbed at different rates but gathered at the top to take in the terrific 360o views across Fife and the Lothians and as far as the Ochils for those with good sight. Falkland village nestled below and looked like it wasn't quite awake yet.  Now its not as easy as you'd imagine to come down a hill; you have to be careful not to overbalance and go head over heels. So we were all looking at our feet watching every step we took, not really paying much attention to where we were being led. And so a short detour was taken across the long grass, ' just for a wee change of scenery', according to the male leader. Aye, right.....
We still had wonderful views as we drove down the hill in the minibus, taking in the landscape which resembled quilting created in every shade of green and brown. It was a rather quiet return journey, all of us now anticipating the smell of bacon sizzling in the pan back at the kirk.
As expected, Janis and Hilda got their sleeves up at the cooker the moment we returned and the rest of us made preparations  for the breakfast. Sharing breakfast is a time of fellowship which always seems more meaningful than other meals, especially on a morning such as today. Janis had made a beautiful lemon cake for us as well so we were fed way beyond sufficiency.
We were looking forward to hearing Robin this morning and we were not disappointed. A contemporary slant on the Easter service lifted our spirits, but of course we had to finish with a rendering of Maccabeus that GF Handel composed in 1746 so surely something for everyone today.
Braw singing Bennochy.


                  He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! is the message for Easter Day.

And He is still rolling stones away.