Hill of Tarvit and Scotstarvit from Ceres

This walk heads west from the attractive historic village of Ceres, visiting a National Trust mansion house, a fine viewpoint and a medieval tower.

Terrain

Tracks, minor roads and paths. Short optional ascent to the summit is steep and pathless up grass.

Public Transport

Bus to Ceres

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Start

Hope Green car park by the Folk Museum, Ceres. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.25km/6.25 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 232m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NO400114

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Explorer 370 - Glenrothes
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Ceres, an ancient Burgh, has much to offer and is well worth a visit in its own right. The car park is across the river from the Fife Folk Museum, which can be reached over an old cobbled packhorse bridge; there are also galleries, a pottery and a tea room as well as the old Ceres Inn. The walk begins on the opposite side of the road from the car park, heading up Woodburn Road (signed also as a footpath to Struthers).

Stage 2

The road soon becomes a track, once the main road to Kinghorn until a new route was built two centuries ago. It gives good views, and the Hill of Tarvit with its summit monument and its grand house are in view - these are visited later on the walk. Pass some old cottages and then turn right at the farm at Denhead. The lane winds down to meet the B939 road. Head straight across this onto a path between hedges. When this meets a track turn left up it, past an old stone doocot (or dovecot) - you can still see the compartments for the doves inside.

Stage 3

Another road joins in from the right, with a cobbled speed-bump - turn sharp right down this, passing a large old house. Continue past more houses to reach a ford over the burn, with an arched stone bridge alongside for pedestrians. Follow the lane uphill past a farm to meet a minor road, and turn right along it, then take the next left into the grounds of the Hill of Tarvit mansion house.

Stage 4

Keep left when the drive forks around a small estate cottage, and continue along the lane with a high hedge on the right. Turn right across the grass as the hedge does and head for the back of the great mansion. Built in 1696 but later rebuilt by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1904, the house is now in the care of the National Trust for Scotland; it has a fine collection of furniture and paintings and is open to the public in the summer. Head into the formal garden behind the house and straight up to the massive wrought iron gates at the back. Go through these and continue uphill to a stile.

Stage 5

Beyond is a steep grassy field with a belt of trees at the top directly ahead. Head up the field, bearing left along the way, to reach the open hilltop to the left of the trees. At the top is an Ordnance Survey trig point and a monument, built to commemorate a treaty signed in 1559 through which Queen Mary I's army agreed not to attack Cupar. As a viewpoint the summit excels, with East and West Lomond prominent and Norman's Law visible to the left of Cupar. Return back down the grassy field, aiming for a stile a short distance to the right of the one crossed earlier. This gives access to a woodland path which leads down to the Hill of Tarvit car park. Turn right on the drive beyond, soon reaching the main A916. Cross with care and follow the track opposite.

Stage 6

This leads to the Scotstarvit Tower. A late fifteenth century tower house, it was altered in 1627 with the addition of a viewing platform. The tower may be visited using a key obtained from the Hill of Tarvit when open. Continue along the track to reach Scotstarvit Farm and follow it as it turns to the left. The track leads on southwards to reach the settlement of Chance Inn. Turn left when a road junction is reached and follow the road down, past the burn, and then on up to meet the A916 (a stile on the left promises a cross-country cut into Craigrothie but this route is overgrown). Turn left on the A916 - there is a hard verge - to reach Craigrothie. Here turn right along the St Andrews road, keeping tight on the verge to avoid danger from traffic. This soon leads to the point where it was crossed earlier; turn right here to follow the farm track back to Denhead and then left to retrace your steps back to Ceres.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.