Michael Bruce Way

                                Sunday 9 November

 

Rona wrote:

Extracts from two songs immediately spring to mind to reflect today's walk and they are; "mud glorious mud" and "slip sliding away". Although we had a lovely day to walk, days of rain had turned the path into a bit of a mud slithering event. Thankfully most had walking poles to help keep balance.

 

This walk was last done on 10 October 2010, so look at that blog more a more detailed description.  Although a bit hazy today we were still offered lovely views over Loch Leven, the Sleeping Giant and the lovely countryside. Comments were made about the amount of flowers which continued to bloom in November and although it was a very still day we managed to see some gliders in the sky overhead. We also made comment on two figures climbing up the shoulder of the hill carrying what appeared to be very large packs. A short will later they were overhead - para gliders with their brightly coloured parachutes descending at what seemed a great speed.

 

Our coffee stop was Lochend Farm Shop where we enjoyed freshly baked goodies. As daylight as starting to fade we said our Walkers Prayer and headed for home 

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! 

The Kelpies, Falkirk

We departed from the church at 1000 precisely in  Viewforth HS 's luxurious minibus heading for Falkirk to visit The Kelpies. A cloudy morning with a decidedly autumnal twist, we were dressed rather differently to the last time we met. It was an easy journey through, the driver having googled the whole journey the previous night. Again, right on time, we arrived at our parking spot at Falkirk football stadium where some if us felt the need to use the facilities before moving on to meet our tour guide, Steve.





Mary bought a postcard at the ticket office so I bet George D reads it out at church on Sunday. The Helix park is very exposed so it was bitterly cauld during our tour and we shared hats, gloves and scarves around. We walked about 15 mins before even reaching the Kelpies. They are magnificent. These were sculptor Andy Scott's vision 8 years ago and he must feel completely satisfied at the wonderful result.

The surrounding plaza,  Lagoon , Playground,  wetlands, cycle paths and lots more make this a tourist attraction not to be missed for Scots folk and a real pull to the central belt for visitors to our country. I expect it will be even better once the tourist centre opens in 2015. So many people of all ages and nationalities were having a great time. Steve told us the history of the Kelpies and took us inside Duke, the head down horse, it's neighbour being called Baron, named after two life models chosen by Andy Scott for the character of their faces. Two massive Clydesdales - a testament to the industrial past if the Falkirk area.  Made from stainless steel plates - each one different- the contours of the horses' faces clearly visible.

The tour lasted 45 mins then we had to walk back to the Falkirk stadium for lunch. Very nice it was too, and some say they will return with their families. Unfortunately we had to return by the same route after lunch to go on our walk, so past the Kelpies this time and into the community woodland, trying to follow a map which was neither use nor ornament. Seeking two pieces of community sculpture in the woods, we did find one.  Charlie offering himself as the sacrifice as you see. This was a human sun clock but as it was very cloudy we couldn't really check out the time. 

 

 

 

 

 

We got A little bit lost trying to  find the other sculpture until a kind man out for a daunder showed us the way to 'love and kisses'.
Massive lips made from corten steel. As you see the children in our party used it as a plaything.






 

Back on the bus we shared our admiration of the Kelpies and the whole Helix Park. A quiz  was handed round with a valuable prize at stake for the winners. Alison and John were the winners which was nice as they were the 'new walkers' today. We then played a variation of pass the parcel - Pass the Pawkie - which June won, then shared her prize out with  the rest of the bus. The average age in the bus by the way, was 65.

We had an east journey home and arrived back at the church just after 5pm ending our meeting as always with prayer

DW

Balbirnie and Markinch

Janis wrote -

Fifteen walkers left the church on Sunday 28th September for Balbirnie Park, we parked our cars at the hotel car park, it was busy because of a Wedding Fair.

We set off down the drive and our first stop was at the walled garden allotments,it was great to see all the wonderful produce and flowers and we even got some tips on growing and cooking veg from the allotmenteers.

On through the park and into Markinch and a stop at the church for a photo, then up the road to the east lodge entrance. Back in the park we had a good tour around the gardens and the woodland walks,having a look at the wild life pond  and taking a few wrong turns along the way! The weather  was just perfect as we waked along the bridle path to the north lodge, past the golf course arriving at the club house where we were having tea. As we had some time to spare us ladies just had to go and visit the wedding fair,leaving Joe, Charlie and Bob to check out the golf results.

Back to the club house to have tea and cake and a good chance to agree on a super walk,with great company and perfect weather. Finishing with our walkers prayer.

 

Holl, Ballo and Harperleas reservoirs

 

 

 

Rona wrote......

The Water of Life route in the Lomond Hills Regional Park saw 13 walkers setting off on Sunday

 It was a lovely day, some cloud and a gentle breeze as we parked the cars at the Holl Reservoir.Starting off with one of Mary's sookie sweeties we had a gentle start on a Tarmac road which took us around the north end of Holl Reservoir, through a kissing gate to start a gentle ascent on farm tracks which were mainly dry underfoot. Passing Drumain Reservoir on our right we headed through open grassland with grazing sheep towards a tree belt which once through led us to a fertile strip between Ballo and Harperlees Reservoirs. Crossing between the two waters gave us fabulous views of the West Lomond and we were just thankful that we weren't going to climb it. A gentle ascent from the reservoirs led us onto a firmer track with fenced fields taking care to stay on the track and not going near the territory which stated "danger bull in field". A brief stop was had at a lovely old ruin and this necessitated a photo call as the open views were just amazing.Discussion took place as to the origins of the ruin.

Striding onwards we exited the track on the south side of Craigmead car park and heading in this direction on the road we eventually took a track through a field to our left. This was rougher walking and walking poles were a boon here with Kelly taking the lead and shooing the sheep out of our way. Walking for a bit by the shore of Ballo Reservoir we again had a steep rise but stopped to say hello to two ponies, a Jack Russell terrier, billy and nanny goats and a field of cows. Who says we never see any wild life! They looked pretty wild to us.

Our final descent took us past the water treatment works which purifies our drinking water and a return road to our parked cars where we said our Walkers Prayer. "May the road rise to meet you " was very apt today.

The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust describe the following "From Buckhaven to Burntisland we drink the water of the Lomond Hills. Holl reservoir contains enough water for about 8 Billion (8,000,000,000) cups of tea". Now think of that walkers! Well stopping at Fettykil Fox for refreshments there's now a lot less water in the reservoirs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hill of Tarvit/Ceres circular

 

 

Phil wrote:

The walk chosen was a distance of about four miles across mainly undulating farm tracks and paths. Starting from the Edwardian Mansion house at Hill of Tarvit, passing by Whitehill Farm, then picking up the old Moor road into Ceres. From there, the old track to Pettycur (Waterless Road) by Denhead Farm then down to and across the Craigrothie Burn and returning to the House.

Although the weather forecast was not favourable, the fresh wind kept the rain away and we enjoyed some warm bright spells. The ground underfoot was surprisingly dry with only one or two small areas showing sign of recent downpours. As it was, the rain held off until the last few minutes by which time we were able to take refuge in the attractive Mansion cafe for tea, coffee and fruited scones (irresistably smothered in jam and clotted cream). Wall panels in the cafe described the history and ownership of the house which was substantially remodelled by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1906 for the Sharp family.  Under present day NTS ownership, a 9 hole 'hickory club' golf course, putting green and Croquet lawn are available to visitors (maybe next time).  A short visit to browse through the NTS gift shop rounded off the day.

 

 

Dalgety Bay

 

Charlie wrote -

On Sunday, 20th July, a hot and sunny afternoon, to be relieved occasionally by cloud cover and a  breeze, welcomed 18 members of the walking group to Braefoot Bay, to explore the delights in and around Dalgety Bay.   Joined the coastal path, aka Beech Avenue, for a short time before turning onto Braefoot Point path which runs between two fields and enters a woodland area to arrive at a disused Second World War stone pier.

From here can be viewed wonderful panoramas of the River Forth, Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Not to be missed.   This area was home to a Gun Batttery during the war and some of the buildings are still evident.   Exited the trees and moved west along the minor road to St. Bridget's Kirk, the ruins of a medieval church dating back to 1170.

 

 

 

 

  Turned inland and up and over a bit of a gradient in the road leading to the Cornerstone Church and in turn to the Eastern Access Road.

Then proceeded to take the first right into Ridge Way and through the Industrial Estate to the Garden Centre for a refreshing cuppa, goodies and a blether.

All too soon, it was back on the road again, the Western Access, that is, in the direction of the shore.

Regent Way was next to be traversed, soon to be followed by Moray Way South and an entrance to the coastal path with some different perspectives of the Forth and surrounding area.  Worth seeing.

The circuitous route revisited St Bridget's Kirk and then on to Beech Avenue once more for the final stretch to the Car Park.   The distance of 6 miles was a wee bit more than had been anticipated but most enjoyable nevertheless.