Kinghorn Pathways

KINGHORN PATHWAYS GROUP part of Craigencalt Rural Community Trust www.CraigencaltTrust.org.uk In Scotland you have the right of access to most of the countryside, as long as you exercise that right responsibly. This includes walking, horse-riding, cycling and canoeing.

Kinghorn is within a wide area of attractive countryside, criss-crossed by numerous paths and quiet country roads. It has a rocky coastline with many islets and rocks that seals use all the year round. There are interesting small beaches and rock pools to investigate. The village has a splendid beach at its heart and another wide beach between Kinghorn & Burntisland.

Craigencalt Rural Community Trust has produced this booklet of local walks, some within the village and others in the wider countryside, varying from short ambles to 10+ mile hikes. Several are suitable for horses and cycles, and some are wheelchair friendly although most are hilly. They start either at the Railway Station or from the loch side at Kinghorn Loch (Craigencalt).

Scottish Outdoor Code - a code for safe, responsible access. Remember, dogs enjoy the open air but cattle do not normally like dogs. For your own safety do not take dogs into a field of cattle.

For more history on village walks see “Walks and Trails in and around Kinghorn” (Liddell,J & Monaghan,C, 2002) by Kinghorn Historical Society. When you are out in the countryside, remember that you need to do so in a responsible manner:-

a) Take responsibility for your own actions – the outdoors can be a naturally dangerous place and you are legally responsible for your own safety

b) Respect other people’s privacy, property, and peace of mind – avoid people’s gardens, the area around farm houses and steadings other than on a path or track. Close all gates that you open.

c) Care for your environment.

d) Keep your dog under control at all times.

The Scottish Outdoor Code gives more information.

WhenTransport you go out. There and about are frequentin the countryside buses (7 remember & 7A) thatbetween you need Aberdour, to do so in Burntisland, a responsible Kinghorn manner. Your and mainKirkcaldy responsibilities that can are: be used to end walks at these (1)towns Take and responsibility return to Kinghorn. for your own actions - the outdoors can be a naturally dangerous place and you are legallyThe responsibleEast Coast Mainfor your Line own trains safety. stop at Kirkcaldy (2)and Respect Inverkeithing. other people’s There privacy are regular and peace local of trains mind - avoidfrom people’s Edinburgh gardens, and alsothe area from around Dundee farm and houses Perth andstopping steadings at otherKinghorn, than onBurntisland a path or track. and Aberdour. (3) Care for your environment. (4) Keep your dog under proper control. Measurements. 1 metre = 3.28 feet 1 foot = 0.3 metres 1 km = 0.63 mile 1 mile = 1.61 km Refreshments and Toilets.

Toilets are located close to the Coastal Path at Aberdour Silver Sands, Burntisland Links, Beacon Leisure Centre (Burntisland), Pettycur Harbour, Kinghorn Beach, Kirkcaldy Promenade and at Kinghorn Loch.

Refreshments are available at hotels, public houses, restaurants, cafes, bakers and others in and around Auchtertool, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy.

Produced and published by Craigencalt Rural Community Trust. Charity Number SC042702 Company Number SC398444

Kinghorn Pathways Booklet funded by : INDEX

Walk Name Description

Map of walks within the village. 1 Easter Braes - Walk along the eastern shore 2 Pettycur - Western beach and return The Historic 3 Heart of the - Walks around the village Royal Burgh Map of walks at Kinghorn Loch (Craigencalt) 4 Craigencalt - Walks at Kinghorn Loch Walks starting at the railway station. Grangehill & 5 - Circular walk from Kinghorn Craigencalt 6 Binnend - on to Burntisland, return via beach 7 The Binn - Walks to north of Burntisland 8 Seafield - Coastal Path to Kirkcaldy Walks starting at the lochside (Craigencalt) 9 Banchory - Jawbane Road to Kirkcaldy 10 Rodanbraes - Disabled access as far as the cottage 11 Kilrie - and extended walk to Balmuto 12 Aberdour - Coastal Path, return via Dunearn

Centre pages: Map of medium length walks (Walks 5 to 10). Inside back pages: Map of longer walks (Walks 11 to 12). MAP OF WALKS WITHIN THE ROYAL BURGH

Distance: 1.3 miles (2.1 kms.) Total climb: 10 metres Terrain: Good paths, easy going.

1. From the station, cross bridge to Harbour Road. Go downhill. 2. Turn left under viaduct (Nethergate), go up hill a short way and turn right into Play Park and Coastal Path. 3. Go under low bridge and follow Coastal Path 4. Continue to wide grassy platform, 5. Return by the same way, or down Nethergate to beach and Promenade and back up Quarrel Brae past the Toilets.

Views. Superb rugged coast and spectacular views to Inchkeith Island and across to Edinburgh. Watch the sea birds and maybe the lobster fishermen. 2. Pettycur

Distance: 1.3 Miles (2.1 kms) Total climb: 55 metres. Terrain: Roads & steep steps at the cemetery

1: From the station, cross the footbridge and over Harbour Road to footpath opposite. Take the path passing the small house and go around the top of the braes. After 20 metres you may follow the path sloping down, going round the Braes to Doo Dells beach and then back up towards Pettycur Road. 2: Turn left and walk down Pettycur Road. Note some houses on the Shore side were converted from Napoleonic watch stations, and also World War II pillboxes and, lower down, old fishing cottages. 3. Enjoy the old harbour and beach at Pettycur, an historic ferry port from Edinburgh before the railways arrived. 4. At the far end, where road leaves the shore and goes up to right, you will see a footpath between the houses. Take this, and climb steep steps up through the cliff (see photo) to Kinghorn Cemetery. (Alternatively return by Pettycur Road). The hill top to the right is “Crying Hill” where a watcher called out when the ferry approached. Note World War II defences. 5. Follow the south side of cemetery and aim for a small road (with play park on right) straight on between houses to Queens Crescent. Bear left. Turn left at end into Canmore Street. Go straight across at the road end, and bear right (beside the railway cutting) down Park Place and back to station.

Views & Interest: Pleasant walk to wide sandy beaches and historic harbour, once the ferry terminal from Edinburgh before the railways arrived. The new houses are on the site of the old Glass works. Views to Edinburgh, Burntisland, Inchcolm island and its Abbey and Forth Rail Bridge 3. The Historic Heart

Distance: 1.25 miles (2.0 kms) Total climb: 40 metres Terrain. Roads, good paths, & steps.

1. From the front of the Station go uphill to the War Memorial. Cross the High Street, into Baliol Street, up to the school and turn immediately left on a path. 2. At Golf Course, turn right uphill on grass. Keep going past wooden garages, then down and turn right into Burnside Avenue and on to Barclay Road. 3) Turn right down the pedestrian only cutting and at end turn left into Glamis Road/Castle Walk (Straight down Castle Wynd leads to the High Street) 4. Follow path, becoming narrower, behind house where St. Leonards walk joins from right. Carry on 50 metres and take steps down the Doric Wells path. Cross the Mill Burn and up to North Overgate. 5. Turn left up hill, and at the bend go right into Eastgate. 6. Follow Eastgate to main road (Bruce Terrace). Turn right downhill, round bend and pass “The Ship” with the Town House on right. Straight on, now St Leonards Place, and pass the flats. 7. Immediately turn left down steps by Cuinzie Neuk, downhill past the play park, under viaduct and keep straight on, (church to left) and then right onto promenade. Towards the end of the Prom, bear right up steep path past toilets and up to the Station. Cottages, North Overgate Old Mill, Glamis Road Views & interest. Good views from Golf Course over the Forth to Edinburgh. Glamis Castle one time residence of the Kings of Scotland, was near the start of the Glamis Road, and where Alexander III’s wife waited in vain for his return in 1286. The Mill Burn used to power 7 linen mills and provided wash water for many spinners’ cottages and all residents had free use of the water from the loch and burn. At Eastgate, note the marriage lintel PGADΩ1728. “The Ship” has a marriage lintel now over the cellar door RB.EW 1668. Across the main road is the renovated Town House built in 1826 – containing the Town Jail. Cuinzie Neuk was the historic site of the Scottish Mint.

The Viaduct was built in 1846 to facilitate the transport of coal to the docks at Burntisland.

The Church incorporates a sailor’s aisle, and in the back corner of the churchyard is a ‘Mort Stane’ with a ring on top. The tomb cover was so heavy to deter grave robbers. 4. Craigencalt & Lochside

Distance: many local walks of short and medium length. Total climb: 0 - 80 metres as desired. Terrain. Varies from good tracks to steep, muddy

Views & Interest: Pleasant walks through woods, open country and along the lochside. Excellent and varied views from the higher paths and viewpoints. Water sports include club sessions for canoeing, sailing and open water swimming, but also individual pursuits. Flora and fauna: From Buzzards to Grebe and Swans, there are regular bird surveys reported. There is a bird hide at the west end of the loch. Much wildlife to observe. Fishing for Carp and Pike. Extensive interest of wildflowers, fungi, bees, butterflies and moths. 5. Craigencalt3: Pettycur Bay & Grangehill Distance and Total Climb: A) via Burnside: 3.0 miles (4.8kms): climb 90 metres B) via North Mire: 3.3miles (5.2km): climb 106 metres Terrain: Easy stone tracks and roads except North Mire path which can be muddy

The above route can be done in reverse (Shortest way to Craigencalt is the Burnside Path)

Alternative Route B):

10. Before you reach Craigencalt Farm, turn left up steep stone track, past Craigencalt Cottages and out on to Kissing Trees Road. Turn right and half way down hill take track on left around the top of the field (see photo but could be muddy), cross the end of the North Mire and follow path past Football field to road. 11. Cross road with care, follow pavement to right, and where wide grass verge starts, turn left up path between fences (Templars Walk). At end, cross grass and take steps down to Eastgate. 12. Turn right and then left downhill on North Overgate. Continue across main road by Town House and “Ship” down South Overgate, 13. Go under the Viaduct and immediately right up Harbour Road back to the Station .

Views & Interest. One of our best walks. Excellent views to Inchkeith Island, and Edinburgh with Arthur’s Seat behind. Visit the Earthship at the loch side, and watch birds on the Loch. Many wild flowers on the routes. Eastgate & North Overgate are in the Conservation area. 6. Binnend

Distance: 5.0 miles (8.0 kms) Total climb: 165 metres Terrain. Good tracks. Steep path down from Binnend. Rocks, then sandy, wet beach on shore, otherwise roads.

DANGER. The Beach route can only be used if the tide is out beyond the Black Rock when you start. Check before going this way otherwise you could get trapped.

1. From the front of the Station go uphill to the War Memorial. Cross the High Street, into Baliol Street, up to the school and turn immediately left towards Kinghorn Golf Course. 2. Turn left on grass and go to the Golf Club House. 3. Take track from the Club House, up the hill across the course, past Grangehill House, around farm and on to the B923 road at Gallowhill. 4. Cross road with care, and go left on pavement to path through fence. This is the Binnend path. 5. Stop at the rest area and enjoy the view over the Firth to Edinburgh. There are interpretation boards to study. 6. Continue to where path passes through the fence once more to the old Binn village (see photo). 7. Go left down a steep, narrow path to the B923 and Burntisland Golf Club House. 8. Go right, downhill, and just below the lower car park, is a path. Follow behind the flats and along wood edge until you see the end of Kirkbank Road. Go down this road and left down Greenmount Road South. 9. Cross main road A921 and beside the Sands Hotel go under railway line to the Beach. Turn left and follow the sands to Pettycur Bay beach (see photo). 10. At Pettycur take ramp up to road, and go left for a few yards to path between the houses. Follow up steep steps to the Cemetery. 11. Follow side of cemetery, and take the road straight on between houses to Queens Crescent. Keep to left. Turn left at end onto Canmore Street. Go straight across at junction, and bear right beside railway line down Park Place back to station. Locals call “Binnend” the “Binn Village” © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100054151 © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100054151 7. The Binn

Distance and Total Climb: A) via Standing Stanes: 7.25 miles (11.6 kms): climb 275 metres B) via Rodanbraes: 6.0 miles (9.7km): climb 245 metre Terrain: Good tracks to Binn village. Steep, muddy path to top of The Binn. Further paths are muddy and

1. From the front of the Station go uphill to the War Memorial. Cross the High Street, into Baliol Street, up to the school and turn immediately left on a path to Golf Course. 2. Turn left on grass and go to Club House. 3. Take track from the Club house, up the hill across the course, past Grangehill House, through the pedestrian gate. Go round farm and onto the B923 road at Gallowhill. 4. Cross road with care, and go left on pavement to path through the fence. This is the Binnend path. 5. Stop at the rest area and enjoy the view over the Forth. Also interpretation boards to study. 6. Continue to where the path crosses the fence. 7. Go slightly left, then right uphill on path to top of the Binn. Viewing table and seat. Beware of precipitous edge. 8. Continue on, (see photo) downhill, over stile to T- junction. Turn right on muddy path through gates and stiles. Up through woodland. Keep left in field to Dunearn/Standing Stanes Road. 9. Go right (east) on quiet road. After Balbie Farm entry there is a choice of returns:- Route A) via Kissing Trees. 10. Continue on Standing Stanes Road to cross roads. 11. Turn right (south) through the Kissing Trees and follow through Craigencalt Cottage and Craigencalt Farm and © Ken Hunter around the corner of the loch. Complete the walk from paragraph 14. Route B) via Rodanbraes. 12. Take rough track on right and at the top of a steep descent, take grassy track across field to the left and at next field turn right and follow field margin. At lower corner take path on right to ruined Rodanbraes Cottage. 13. Follow path to junction with main track around north of the loch through Craigencalt Farm and around the corner of the loch. Both routes. 14. As the road turns away from the loch, follow east bank of the loch. Over the bridge at the sluice, turn immediately left through the spinney. Turn left along roadside for 40 metres and cross road with care to take Burnside Path onwards to Burnside Avenue. 15. Follow edge of Golf Course to the school, follow down side of the school to Baliol Street, turn right to War Memorial and take Station Brae to the station.

Views: Superb views throughout of Inchkeith, Edinburgh and the Bridges. Special views down on Burntisland from The Binn. Superb views from Standing Stanes Road to Isle of May and Bass Rock. Interpretation Boards and visitor interests on Rodanbraes and Binnend Paths. Interesting throughout. 8. Seafield

Distance: 2.0 miles (3.3 km) + Return Total Climb: 12 metres Terrain: Moderate, level path with a generally good surface. Steep steps and sheer cliff to side in places.

1. From the station, cross bridge to Harbour Road. Go downhill. 2. Turn left under viaduct ( Nethergate), go up hill a short way and turn right into Play Park 3. Go under low bridge and follow Coastal Path to Kirkcaldy. Notice remains of a Salt Pan retort and lime kilns in places. Go up a steep set of steps (no alternative). 4. Watch the seals on the islets just before Seafield Tower, changing at all states of the tide and many cormorants and eider duck on the various islets. 5. Either return by taking lower path just after (west) Seafield Tower and make your way past lime kilns on narrow paths and along the shore and over the iron bridge at the “smugglers” cave, this brings you up rough steps and some simple rock climb to the southern end of a wall with sheer cliff on the other side. Return via the iron bridge is for competent walkers only and is potentially hazardous. Do NOT attempt to scale the cliff. Walk along the length of the wall to the top of the steps on the main Coastal path and back to Kinghorn. 6. Alternatively, complete the circle through Banchory & the Jawbane Rd. if time allows (Walk 9). Alternatively take the bus back to Kinghorn War Memorial from Kinghorn Rd.

Views: Superb rugged coast and spectacular views to Inchkeith Island & Edinburgh. Normally plentiful seals, waders and ducks on the islets and pools. Crab and lobster fishermen. Ancient Seafield Tower. 9. Banchory

Distance: 3.7 miles (6.0 kms) + return Total Climb: 90 metres Terrain: Good paths, tracks & roads.

Craigencalt Farm over the loch.

1. From the front of the Station go uphill to the War Memorial. Cross the High Street, into Baliol Street, up to the school and turn immediately left on a path. 2. At Golf Course, turn right uphill on grass. Keep going past wooden garages and take the Burnside Path beside a field. 3. At the B923 road, cross to pavement; take path through spinney, over sluice bridge and round east side of Loch to Craigencalt Farm (see photo) at Kinghorn Loch. 4 Go up through farm, then right up hill past Craigencalt Cottages and on to Kissing Trees road turning left. 5. After quarter mile (500m) take road on right past Banchory Farm and Drinkbetween. At road end (Jawbane Rd) turn right and follow easy road to meet main road at Invertiel rail bridge. Carefully cross road and go under bridge. 6. At traffic lights turn right into Kinghorn Rd. And on left take side road marked Coastal Path. Return using Walk 8 or take the bus to the War Memorial in Kinghorn.

Alternatively: 7. A mile after Drinkbetween, on the way to Kirkcaldy, take the road (on the right) marked to Tyrie Farm and follow through the farm under the railway bridge. 8. Turn right and enter Seafield housing estate. Take first right and keep going south to the end of the estate. 9. Go over rough ground down to Seafield Tower and back to Kinghorn on Walk 8.

Views: Superb views from Banchory, Jawbane Rd & Coastal Path over Kirkcaldy, Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth out to the Isle of May and Bass Rock. 10. Rodanbraes

Distance: 4.0 miles (6.4 kms) from lochside. Total Climb: 150 metres Terrain: Good tracks and roads. Across fields and Common Road may be wet and muddy. Partly disability enabled.

(To start from Station use Walk 9 via Burnside path to the jetty) (To use disabled section, park at the bottom of Rodanbraes Path) 1. From Kinghorn Loch jetty at Craigencalt take stone road through farm westwards and after ‘Woodland Walk’ take signposted path on right (Rodanbraes Path). 2. There is disabled parking here. You will see a “Low Road” for disabled with interesting wooden bridge and children’s play area beneath, or take the steeper “High Road”. 3. Follow either path to ruin of Rodanbraes cottage (old gamekeeper’s house - also called the “witches house”). 4. After Rodanbraes Cottage pass northwards on a narrow path to edge of field. Turn left, follow field edge to an opening in the wall going west.

CRCT is seeking to build a path through the wooded braes as another way onto Common Road. 5. Cross the field on grass track (or follow field edge if in crop) to a walled farm track (Common Road). 6. Turn right northwards with walls both sides. Pass ruined hamlet at Common and on to Standing Stanes Road, turning right on a quiet easy road with magnificent views. 7. At cross roads turn right through Kissing Trees and after just over half a mile (700m) take farm track on right “Craigencalt Cottage”. Keep bearing left along track back through farm to starting place.

Superb views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh & the Bridges Rest areas, interpretation boards, picnic tables and other visitor interests enhance the path. The path from the Loch Road to Rodanbraes Cottage is disability enabled with disabled parking and is an excellent high level disabled path with super views. 11. Kilrie & Balmuto

Distance: Kilrie woodland: 1.75 miles (2.8 kms) extra to Balmuto: 2.75 miles (4.4 km) Total Climb: 45 metres (extra 55 metres to Balmuto) Terrain: Good paths, roads and tracks. Easy going.

(To start from Station use Walk 9 via Burnside Path to the jetty) 1. From Kinghorn Loch jetty, go through Craigencalt Farm, right, up the hill past Craigencalt Cottages and onto Kissing Trees road. 2. Left on through the Kissing Trees to cross roads. Keep straight on until you almost reach the main road B9157. Turn left on a path immediately before meeting the road. 3. Follow track westward to car park and follow various tracks round the plantation, where there is plenty of wild life and flora depending on time of year. 4. Return by same route to Craigencalt or on to Balmuto (steps 5 to 10):- 5. Leave Kilrie plantation at western end and cross road with care and take signposted road to Auchtertool. 6. Take lane on left marked Cycle Route and follow for about ¾ mile (1.1kms) passing Wester Balgeddie Farm and then turning right. 7. Go past Balmuto, and at cross roads go right. 8. Follow this lane over the hill and down to road. 9. Go right, up the hill and back to the B9517 by Easter Balgeddie opposite Kilrie Plantation. 10. Return to Craigencalt. View from Kilrie Community Woodland

Profile of main walk and extension to Balmuto.

Kilrie Woodland is a large and interesting community woodland stretching from the roadside up onto rough pasture and hilltops (see photograph). It contains various habitats including ponds. It has a large car park . Extended walk to Balmuto: An interesting walk past historical buildings, particularly the castle at Balmuto and former underground ice stores in a ruined building after Balmuto. 12. Aberdour.

Distance: 11.6 miles (18.5 kms) Total Climb: 340 metres Terrain: Roads, good tracks and paths. Steep path down to Burntisland, and up into Blue Bell wood near Aberdour

1. Follow Walk 6 to the Sands Hotel, Burntisland. Go under railway bridge and turn right along the esplanade following the Coastal Path route. 2. Follow the esplanade around the bay, take the access road round the Swimming Pool and out over railway. Turn right down slope to the High Street. 3. Turn left, walk length of High Street and turn right just before Police Station up Lothian St and then over hill on Kirkton Road. 4. Cross the cross roads (Haugh Road) towards bottom of hill and immediately turn left onto the Coastal Path at the bus stop. 5. Stay on Coastal Path for about 1.5miles (2.4kms) and just before path goes back under railway, take path sign posted on right. (You may carry on the Coastal Path to Aberdour which is a very attractive and interesting village with two beaches and a castle and cut the walk short by taking the train or bus back to Kinghorn). 6. Take the steep rough steps up to Bluebell Wood. Follow path westwards through woods for over 1 mile to reach the A921. 7. Turn right up hill and just round bend, cross road carefully, and to track, and immediately on right take signposted path/track which leads for nearly 2 miles (3kms) gently climbing back to Dunearn Hill (see photograph). 8. On reaching road (A909) cross with care to lane opposite (Standing Stanes Road) and follow for 3 miles (4.8kms) just past Balbie Farm road end. 9. Then follow either return route A or B as outlined in Walk 7

Ian Archibald

A most interesting walk, with views at many points on the route, especially from Aberdour back to and along Standing Stanes road. You pass through many different habitats, from hillside and woodlands to agricultural and seaside. The alternative ending at Aberdour village will not disappoint, as this is an attractive place and a very popular visitor destination.

© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100054151 © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence number 100054151 If you would like to become a Friend of Craigencalt Rural Community Trust and help with improving facilities at the loch and throughout the countryside please contact us through the website or at [email protected].

This booklet is available on-line as individual walks or booklet at www.CraigencaltTrust.org.uk

Also as a booklet at Kirkcaldy Tourist Office, Kinghorn Library, Community Centre and local shops.

If you have any comments please let us know, through email or the website.

© Craigencalt Rural Community Trust, 2013 Care has been taken in drawing up these trails but descriptions cannot be taken as accurate. Note that the author accepts no responsibility for people using these paths and some paths may not be fully accessible at any particular time. Publication is not for profit.

£1 Donation Appreciated