Limekilns and Charleston

 What a wonderful day this has been. 14 walkers arrived at Limekilns parking up just beyond the marina. Right away I heard comments about Goliath, the mammoth crane which is sited at Rosyth Dockyard and which dominates the skyline. It was unusual seeing the bridges from the other side too; we nearly always view them from the east side with the Forth Bridge in the foreground. The Forth was like a reservoir today with hardly a ripple between us and Blackness Castle on the other side.

The walk along the promenade was just glorious and there was a real good feeling of wellbeing as we chatted, laughed, caught up with friends. We noted this treehouse and thought what a great ganghut it would be for the children of that family. There was a wee quiet buzz around the Ship Inn, painted black and white with typical maritime décor, which had folk sitting outside with their beers enjoying the sunshine and the peaceful views of the Pentlands. Other than that, there was silence.

                                                                             

Charleston is really just an extension of Limekilns, but has its own harbour with wee boats basking in the sunshine today. We passed the old limekilns which are derelict now and from there also saw Ironmill Bay and Crombie Pier where the Royal Navy stores it’s armaments. We found a short cut taking us from the shore up to a higher level where we landed on the Craw Road. I’ve always done my best to avoid going down the Craw Road but here is proof we were all there today. From there we emerged onto West Road which had a fair amount of traffic for a country road. Along this stretch, conversations overheard ranged from the hedgerows heavy with wild berries, hips and haws and their health properties, to when would be a good time to change wardrobes from summer to winter clothing. We turned off the road at a farm which signalled that we were on the second half of our walk already. This road brought us out at the old granary at Charleston and we commented on the wee Post Office which served as a Johnny a’thing in the village. Nearby is The Scottish Lime Centre which promotes and educates in the traditional skills required for the conservation, repair and maintenance of historic buildings. We were enthralled at the long rows of wee cottages and the peace and quiet and cleanliness of this village. We nipped down a passageway between houses and  came out at the village green where children were having fun at the swingpark in safety. From there we could see the venue for our refreshments, The Elgin Hotel. On approaching the hotel, whilst appreciating the design and architecture of the building above her, poor Mary had a tumble. Thankfully, not badly injured, but she’ll have to lay off the modelling for a while till these skint knees heal over. The hotel was ready for us with 14 places set with lovely scones and a good cup of tea. Great service from the young waitress with free top up of tea and coffee. Full marks Elgin Hotel. 

 We will share the good service with others and patronise ourselves in future. Once refreshed, we were off at the toot as I had misjudged the time.  I had hoped to be able to pop into The Kilns, a wee gift shop in Limekilns before they closed at 4.00pm, and we just made it with minutes to spare. It was welcomed by the owners I think, and appreciated by our ladies who are somehow drawn to shops like these. A good few purchases were made. We took time to admire the pretty brightly painted little houses with cyclamen in hanging baskets, the sundial on the wall of the newly opened sundial café and ongoing renovation of old property. These little villages which seem to be tucked away from civilisation are very much alive. The summer Gala website demonstrates their community spirit.

We wandered back to our cars in a most contented manner having had the best of the day and the best of company.

Aberdour

Two new walkers, Ian and Sybil joined us today making 12 in the group.We left the church at 1pm and made our way to the car park overlooking the sea at Burntisland.
We started the walk by going around the headland that leads to the harbour.We had only been walking about 5 minutes when the rain came on. It was really heavy, almost horizontal. Thankfully it only lasted 10 minutes but we got quite wet.
The sun came out as we passed by the station. We carried on up to Rossend Castle and down through the houses to the coastal path. The tunnel that goes under the railway line was actually dry as was the rest of the path to Aberdour.
Everyone enjoyed the lovely views of the Forth as we walked along. The tide was in so we didn't see any seals sunning themselves on the rocks, but we were all impressed with the waterfall. Soon we were nearly at our destinations the Silver Sands and the cafe came into view. The tables and chairs were out on the terrace but we decided to sit inside in case it rained again. I think most of us had tea and scones;we all agreed that the new cafe was just what was needed at the beach.
As we walked back to Burntisland we reflected on the fact that we are really lucky to have the great facility of a coastal path on our doorstep and especially as it was voted no.5 out of the best 6 coastal walks in the UK by the Daily Mail (sat 15th September). We are truly blessed.
Back at Burntisland we walked through the town, over the links and back to the car park.
We thanked Ian and Sybil for joining the group and hoped they would come again. We finished with the walkers' prayer. It was a super afternoon out with great company. 

Janis McDonald, walk leader

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.

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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.