Fife Pilgrim Way: 1B North Queensferry to Dunfermline

Summary

The North Queensferry start of the Fife Pilgrim Way follows in the footsteps of thousands of medieval pilgrims who would have arrived by boat at North Queensferry pier. Follow the coast path to Inverkeithing and then over a hill with good views of the three bridges, passing through the residential edge of Rosyth before a mix of roads and country lanes lead to Dunferline with its abbey and all facilities.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Coast path, cycle path, roads with pavement, farm lanes. Steep road hill from Inverkeithing. 1st section to Inverkeithing is also signed for Fife Coastal Path.

Getting there

Start

North Queensferry town pier.

Public Transport

Train and bus to North Queensferrry and Dunfermline.

Start Grid Ref

NT131804

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.6km / 8.5 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 237m (Profile)

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Explorer 367 - Dunfermline

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

North Queensferry gets its name from the ferry set up by Queen Margaret in the 11th century to help pilgrims on their journey to St Andrews. To reach the start follow Main Street south and then head down Battery Road towards the Forth Rail Bridge, there is an information board about the Fife Pilgrim Way overlooking town pier. From here you can detour up Chapel Place opposite to view the remains of St James Chapel where pilgrims would have given thanks for making it over the treacherous waters of the Forth - note the stone plaque dating from 1752 when sailors built the wall surrounding the chapel and graveyard.

Stage 2

Start the walk by heading west on Battery Road away from the rail bridge and turning right to head up Main Street. Cross Old Kirk Road and pass the Waterloo Monument, a stone gable end with a carving of a ship dated 1816, behind it is the Waterloo well, used as a watering stop for horses undertaking stagecoach journeys. The well was the only one in the village and the iron plate above it depicts a fishwife arguing with a sailor, who both would have needed to use the water supply. Take the signed path on the right behind the monument to reach Carlingnose Point which has a good view back of the rail bridge and is also a wildlife reserve.

Stage 3

Continue through an old quarry, keeping right at a fork to stay on the main path. The area provides a lime-rich grassland habitat for rare plants such as field gentian and bloody cranesbill. Fulmar and other seabirds nest on the cliffs and it is sometimes possible to see porpoises and even whales in the Firth of Forth although sightings of grebes, other divers and ducks are more likely. Ignore a path to a viewpoint on the right and when the path splits keep right to head downhill to the sandy beach at Port Laing. Follow the path at the back of the bay going through a couple of gates before emerging on a lane and passing in front of a few houses.

Stage 4

Leave the lane to take the path near the water a some benches and picnic tables and soon head left over a metal bridge and then between fences and around the side of an industrial site. Near the road ahead bear right at a sign post (follow Fife Coastal Path) to soon follow the road past houses and industrial buildings. At the junction keep right onto Ferryhills Road to pass under the railway bridge, turn right here to follow the pavement into Inverkeithing. Just next to the Civic Centre on the right is the Hospitium of the Grey Friars. Established by Franciscan monks in the 14th century it would have provided welcome dormitory accommodation and food to pilgrims and travellers.

Stage 5

Continue along Hope Street for a short distance and turn right up Hill Street. Well named, the route now climbs steeply uphill to the outskirts of Inverkeithing. Continue straight ahead and soon cross the M90 and then turn right and immediately left to climb on a small country road. Just before a small row of houses there are good views down to the three bridges over the Forth. At the end of the road continue ahead on a grassy path with a mast on your left and good views to Rosyth dockyard ahead.

Stage 6

Follow the signed path as it keeps to the edge of fields heading directly towards Rosyth. One field away from the houses look out for the sign pointing left and take this path rather than continuing straight over the field ahead. This path now heads downhill skirting the edge of another field keeping the hedge on your right. Bear right to go through a gap in the hedge at the bottom and keep left to cross a grass area to reach Ferry Toll Road. Turn right along the pavement.

Stage 7

At the roundabout with the modern church to the right use the crossing points to follow the second exit (Hilton Road). Continue until a zebra crossing, cross this and take the next right up Wilson Way. Take the next left and continue ahead following signs for both Fife Pilgrim Way and Coastal Path. Keep straight on soon reaching a shared cycle path. With the school on your left, the path turns right at the top of this road, then go left to the roundabout, where you then turn left again (W) to follow the A985. Continue for a longish section along the pavement of the busy road.

Stage 8

At the signs turn right to cross the road taking the minor road signed Pattiesmuir. At a junction continue straight on past a house and at the cemetery bear left to follow a path uphill with the cemetery on your right. Stay on the path across an open area and through a gate into woods. Here stay on the main path which bears left and turn right when it reaches a farm track. At the barns and cottages at Wester Gellet turn left to follow the track to the B9156.

Stage 9

Turn right to follow the verge towards Dunfermline soon crossing the railway line and passing a sports ground on your left (cross the road to keep on the pavement). Keep straight ahead to cross side streets and at the bigger junction with Milton Green cross and then bear right (entrance to Pittencrieff Park to your left) slightly uphill for a short distance before turning left onto Moodie Street. Pass the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace musuem and bear left onto Priory Lane. Take the next left past the war memorial to pass the ruins of Dunfermline Abbey and Palace to reach the end of the stage outside the main entrance to the Abbey.

Next stage: Dunfermline to Loch Ore.

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