Fife Pilgrim Way: 3 Lochore Meadows to Kinglassie

Summary

A very short stage, many walkers may prefer to add this to the previous stage or continue on to Glenrothes, however Kinglassie was a traditional pilgrim desination on the route to St Andrews. Pass Lochore Castle before country paths lead to a longish pavement section on the approach to Kinglassie.

Grade

Bog Factor

2.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Road with pavement, tracks and paths.

Getting there

Start

Lochore Meadows Country Park.

Public Transport

Bus at Lochore Meadows and Kinglassie.

Start Grid Ref

NT170960

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 60m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

The stage starts at Lochore Meadows Country Park where there is a cafe and toilets. The land here once contained seven coal pits. The last active colliery, the Mary Pit, closed in 1966 leaving a derelict landscape. A decade later the loch and park was created and today the area hosts an array a leisure facilities. Start the walk by heading down the main entrance road towards the B920.

Stage 2

The route passes the remains of Lochore castle. The 14th century tower house once stood on an island accessed via a causeway although the surrounding land was drained in the 18th century. The castle would originally have had four storeys and the ruins of the four corner towers can be seen today. Continue down to the B920 and turn left.

Stage 3

Cross the road and take the next on the right, keeping straight ahead before aiming right over grass after the last house on the right. The path soon crosses farmland with countryside views. Go through a gate and then another into a small wooded area before the path runs between a hedge and fence.

Stage 4

The narrow path continues through another gate and climbs Hare Law before bearing left through a gate signed Cardenden. Soon the path widens to a grassy track with views down towards the Westfield Wind Farm and lochs and over to Bishop Hill to follow a track called Torres Loan.

Stage 5

Continue on the track until it reaches a T-junction, turn right slightly uphill and continue on the track until a metal vehicle barrier. Turn left here and keep right at the next road bend to emerge on the edge of Cardenden. Continue ahead past houses to reach a Fife Pilgrim Way information board on the left (don't follow the red path marked on the map unless you want the shop or train station).

Stage 6

Turn left at the B921 and follow the pavement out of the village. This road is now followed all the way to Kinglassie. Although the road is fairly busy there is a pavement and good open views of the surrounding countryside. The prominent tower on the hill ahead is Blythes tower, built in 1812 for a local linen merchant to view ships entering the Forth, it later used as a look-out tower by the Home Guard during World War Two.

Stage 7

Follow the road through Kinglassie which was a popular stopping point for medieval pilgrims. There was a church here dating back to the 1100s although the one seen today was built in 1773. Nearby St Finglassin's holy well was believed to have healing properties. Kinglassie has a shop and cafe and buses.

Next stage: Kinglassie to Markinch

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