Fife Pilgrim Way: 4 Kinglassie to Markinch

Summary

A glance at the map suggest this stage might be an urban walk through Glenrothes, but it actually has a really rural feel, following sections of the River Leven and the northern fringes of this new town. The stage ends at St Drostan's Church in Markinch, one of the most significant religious buildings on the Pilgrim Way.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Countryside paths, tracks, and cycle paths.

Getting there

Start

Main St, Kinglassie.

Public Transport

Buses serve both Kinglassie and Markinch.

Start Grid Ref

NT229986

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13km / 8 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 222m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

This stage starts on the main street in the centre of Kinglassie. From the nineteenth century Mitchell Hall, begin by heading east along the pavement. After passing the Kinglassie Welfare Minor's Bowling Club, turn left at the footpath sign (signed for Markinch) to head through the kissing gate and up a grassy footpath. Ignore a path off left at a junction and continue straight uphill, passing through another pedestrian gate and climbing quite steeply by the edge of a field.

Stage 2

As the slope relents, pass through another gate and then turn right along a path between a wall and fence. Blythe's Tower is in view over the to the left - built in 1812, it was reputedly used by a merchant to watch ships in the Forth. When the path joins a track keep straight ahead, then keep ahead again when the track joins a road. Continue along the tarmac to a t-junction and turn left. Walk along the verge on the far side, then fork right onto a track after 250m - signed as a path to Leslie and Glenrothes.

Stage 3

When the main track swings left into a field, keep ahead on a fainter grassy path. This meets a clearer path - turn right along this, then left at a signpost to follow a grassy path downhill, with views to the dome of East Lomond. At the bottom of the slope turn left, then quickly right along the edge of a wood to reach the River Leven. The path bends right and reaches a track - turn left on this, crossing the river. At the T-junction with a tarmac lane go straight ahead through the pedestrian gate onto a path (signed for Leslie) that turns right and continues alongside a fence. Go through a pedestrian gate and keep ahead, ignoring a path off right and reach a surfaced track at a bend.

Stage 4

Go straight ahead onto this, and ahead again when another tarmac road joins from the right. Ignore the next cul-de-sac off right to bungalows, and keep ahead briefly before turning right onto a footpath (opposite the flats). The footpath leads down to another road - turn left here, then take the next right along Valley Gardens. At the end of this cul-de-sac take the cycle path ahead. This soon curves right and crosses an impressive viaduct high above the river.

Stage 5

On the far side take the next footpath off left - signed for Riverside Park and Town Centre. This undulates through the woods - keep ahead when a path joins from the right, then bear right when you reach a fork. The path soon reaches a tarmac path - go left along this. When this reaches a track - with the impressive White Bridge towering high ahead - turn left and cross the bridge over the river, and then right on the far side (signed Pond and Car Park). Pass under White Bridge, keeping ahead by the river through the park. Keep ahead over a bridge over a sluice, and pass to the right of a pond. At the end of this turn right up steps and recross the river, turning left on the far side.

Stage 6

Go under the bridge that carries the main road, then ignore the footbridge beyond. Keep to the left through the playpark, and then turn left to cross the next footbridge. Follow the cyclepath ahead and as it curves left, ignoring a path off right, then turn right at a cross-paths with housing ahead. Ignore a path off left, then bear left at a fork, then right up to a tarmac lane (waymarkers). Go right along this, passing under a bridge and up broad steps. Keep ahead along the road at the top, then a path parallel to the road amongst housing. Go straight across at Harris Way, and reach the Givenbank Community Sports Hub. Take the next cycle path off to the left.

Stage 7

Turn right at the junction to follow the cycle path all the way through the grassy park and then turn right onto Huntsman's Road. Cross the road and take the next left, Kilmichael Road. Take the second on the right to detour to visit Balfarg henge. Thought to be part of a larger prehistoric ceremonial complex, two standing stones remain with others represented by posts. Pottery dating back to 2900BC has been found at this site and its thought some of the vessels may have contained henbane a poison but also a powerful hallucinogen. Return from the henge to Kilmichael Road and continue to the right.

Stage 8

Turn left onto Old Leslie Road to soon reach the A92. Cross at the lights just to the left and head immediately onto a path heading into the trees just to the right. At a road turn right and follow the pavement until a signed path opposite. Take this to head through trees keeping straight ahead at a junction eventually reaching Balbirnie Park Golf Club. Turn left to pass in front of the clubhouse and take the path at the far corner of the carpark. Follow the signed path through the trees crossing a footbridge and keeping right after to soon cross another and climb uphill. Keep left at the top and later keep left when the wide path splits and left again at a junction to emerge at the road at a lodge house.

Stage 9

Turn right here and look to the right to spot the Stob Cross. The stone is covered with ancient, probably Pictish, carvings although it may have been used in medieval times to mark the limit of an early Christian sanctuary related to St Drostan who lived in the 7th or 8th century. The Cross would have been important to the many pilgrims passing. Continue along the road passing an information board to reach Markinch St Drostan's Church on the left. The tower dates from the 1100s and contains some fascinating mason's marks (climb to the balcony in the church to see them). An important pilgrim staging post the church would have been the last night for many before a final day's walk to St Andrews. Water and toilets are available to pilgrims and there is often a volunteer guide to show you round.

Next stage: Markinch to Ceres

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