Scotland long distance walks: Fife Coastal Path – part 2
I was on my way in my trek.
Leaving North Queensferry, I was approaching the old industrial area of the Firth of Forth.
This area used to be heavy in industry, now it lays in waste.
The path follows a old industrial area.
The path follows the old industrial Inner Bay at Inverkeithing.
This area had an sense of history.
This bay told a story of industrial Britain history.
This old jetty was disused.
The Forth Rail Bridge could be seen behind me.
It was possible to see the bridges behind me with good views back to the Forth Bridge.
Soon I came in Dalgety Bay, which had just been exposed as a site for radioactive dumping during the war.
This church became disuse around 1830.
The path headed inland to avoid the gas terminal. The path rejoined the coast at the little fishing village of Aberdour.
This harbour was a good place for lunch.
I stopped here for a little lunch.
The path passes through woods with this waterfall.
The path followed the coastline.
Soon I came across Seafield Tower, I heard seals here but never saw any.
This ruined castle dates back to the 16th century.
The Fife Coastal Path then passes through Kirkcaldy. But, luckly for me, the tide was out so I walked along the beach rather then the 1.5 km promenade of Kirkcaldy seafront.
The tide was out so I walked along the beach.
At the far end of Kirkcaldy bay was Ravenscraigs Castle built for King James II.
This ruin castle was engulfed by Kirkcaldy.
This castle was engulfed by Kirkcaldy town but was a pleasent surprise to see in the town.
Me at Ravenscraig Castle.
I stopped here for a bite to eat and coffee using my camping stove.
This castle was big and impressive.
I had a good look around.
This castle was in ruins but still impressive.
The castle gave a superb vantage point along the coastline.
Overlooking the beach at Kirkcaldy.
Through Ravenscraig Park was the dovecot.
This old dovecot was used to provide meat for the castle.
Eventually the path continues through a tunnel that has been cut into the rocks.
The tunnel emerge on to Dysart Harbour.
At the other end of the tunnel was the village of Dysart.
Dysart Harbour was picturesque with the famous restored Harbourmaster's House in the background.
Dysart is famous for it newly restored 16th century Harbourmaster’s House, a listed building.
Outside Dysart was this old coal mine that shut down just after the miners strike of the 1980s.
This old mine was closed in the 1980s.
The path follows across an attractive bay, with the cottages of West Wemyss visible at the far end.
The bay led to the village of West Wemyss.
I stopped here for a snack.
The weather was sunny.
I had been on my wee feet all day and the stitches in my poorly cotton feet were coming apart. So, I needed to set up camp for the night and sew myself up again.
The sun was setting and time to pitch up camp.
I was almost halfway on my long trek.
To be continued….
For more information on this leg of the Fife Coastal Path please visit:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/n-q-burntisland.shtml
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/burntisland-east-wemyss.shtml
Scotland long distance walks: Fife Coastal Path – part 1
Now that I had been in Scotland for eight years, I decided to tackle some of the long distance walks of Scotland. It is my plan to walk the famous West Highland Way (151 kms) sometime this summer which takes in the scenery of Glencoe and Loch Lomand. Eventuatally I am going to walk the Cape Wrath Trail (326 kms). The trail is mostly unmarked and passes through remote countryside that is extremely wild and rugged terrain. This trail is said to be Britains’s toughest walking route.
This website lists the long distance walks of Scotland:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/long-distance-routes.shtml
To make the most of the heat wave that we are experiencing in Scotland at the moment, I decided on a mini long distance trek this week. I decided to do the Fife Coastal Path from North Queensferry to St. Andrews (98 kms). My plan was to be self sufficent in carrying my own gear and camping out in the wild – no hotels or B&B. I had to carry five days supply of rations and water as well as my camping gear. I left on Sunday and came back yesterday. So it took me four days. I had planned on five days. So I was able to walk within my plan, not bad for the small cuddly toy that I am.
A map of the route.
This photograph shows my packing. The packed weighed 25kgs. That is 100 times my own body weight! When I came back yesterday it was 16kgs.
My kit consisting of five day supplies.
Large water bottles are not included in this picture which made up the bulk of my weight. Rations were compact style purchased from camping shops and army surplus stores. I only packed four days of food rations as I intended on eating pub meals at the East Neuk fishing villages.
The walk starts in the small village of North Queensferry.
The village takes its name from Saint Margaret of Scotland, the wife of King Malcolm III of Scotland. She established the village to ensure there would be regular ferry crossings across the Firth of Forth for the benefit of pilgrims travelling to St. Andrews.
The Fife Coastal Path starts in North Queensferry under the famous Forth Rail Bridge.
The Forth Rail Bridge was opened in 1890 and is a total length of 2,528 metres. The bridge connects Edinburgh to Fife over the Firth of Forth.
The bridge was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site last year and is now awaiting approval on the list.
It was a hot sunny day.
A sign next to a well marked the start of the path.
A sign marked the start of the Fife Coastal Path.
The well was used by travellers and horse carts in the old days.
The start of the Fife Coastal Path.
I was eager to start the walk.
With my suncream on, I was ready.
As I progress up the path, I looked back onto North Queensferry and the bridge.
The bridge shadows over the village of North Queensferry.
I had a long way to go and a heavy bag!
To be continued….
For more information on this leg of the Fife Coastal Path please visit:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fife-stirling/n-q-burntisland.shtml
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