Fife Pilgrim Way: 5 Markinch to Ceres

Summary

The penultimate stage of the Fife Pilgrim Way crosses farmland and then passes through Kennoway before climbing through Devon Wood and over Clatto Hill. The lovely Clatto reservoir is visited before farm tracks and a delightful green lane descend to the historic village of Ceres with its folk museum, pub and cafe.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Field edge paths (muddy at times), farm tracks, minor roads and road with pavement. Livestock in some fields.

Getting there

Start

St Drostan's Church, Markinch.

Public Transport

Buses serve both Markinch and Ceres. Markinch has a rail station, and there is a further rail station just off-route part way through the stage at Cameron Bridge (by Windy Gates).

Start Grid Ref

NO298018

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Time: 5.5 - 6.5 hours
Ascent: 320m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Leaving behind St Drostan's church in Markinch, walk down the road with the church behind you and turn left into Brunton Road. Follow the path at the end of the road to go under the railway line and along the edge of fields.

Stage 2

At the crossroads of paths turn left along the edge of the field keeping the hedge on your left and at the field edge turn right for a short section on an earth track. When the track heads over the burn on the left keep straight ahead on a narrow path. This path now stays to the right of the burn to cross a number of fields with pedestrian gates in an area known as the Mires.

Stage 3

At a stone bridge and some trees turn sharp right and then left at the next field boundary. Go straight across at the next junction to go through a gate onto a path between fences which soon widens to a farm track with good views. After this narrows to a path keep right when a path joins from the left and when the houses are reached turn left on a lane. Continue past houses keeping straight ahead when a road goes right to follow a lane with houses on your right as you skirt the edge of Windygates.

Stage 4

Keep straight ahead to reach the A916 and turn left into Kennoway. After the bridge continue uphill (petrol station over to the right) before bearing left to head up The Causeway. This passes the oldest part of the village climbing to reach the churchyard and continuing along Hall Wynd before rejoining the A916. Keep left to follow the pavement.

Stage 5

Immediately after the sign for Bonnybank turn left up a signed path. Keep straight on to cross a minor road soon following a track through farmland and passing a cottage and farm. At a large barn don't turn right but take the walker's gate ahead to stay on the track and continue uphill. The track curves right at another farm building and then keep left to follow a grassy track through a gate and another gate to head along the edge of Devon Wood forestry.

Stage 6

At the next forestry track junction turn left to head gently uphill eventually climbing over Clatto Hill. After a vehicle barrier turn right at the lane and immediately after a cattle grid turn left onto a track heading uphill. Go through the gate here and follow the track through forestry. With the buildings of Clatto farm ahead, go through the two sets of pedestrian gates to take a fenced grassy track. At the end of this, at some trees, go through the gate on the left and descend on a narrow path.

Stage 7

This, sometimes muddy path, follows a watercourse to reach Clatto reservoir, a good place for spotting wildlife. The path climbs away from the dam and then descends towards a cottage and after a footbridge meets the road. Turn right along this. When another minor road is reached turn right uphill to Muirhead. After the bend and last house turn left through a gate onto a grass path which keeps to the edge of the field. This is the Waterless Way, a straight path and green lane which has led pilgrims and travellers towards Ceres for centuries.

Stage 8

The path keeps the stone wall on your left and passes through a number of gates before crossing straight over the A916. It now widens to a lovely green lane passing the farm at Denhead before narrowing again on the approach to Ceres.

Stage 9

Eventually the first houses of the village are reached and the route emerges opposite the car park where there is an information board and toilets. The excellent folk museum also houses a cafe and the village also has a pub, another cafe and a B&B.

Next stage: Ceres to St Andrews.

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