Fife Pilgrim Way Kinglassie to Markinch section is an 8 mile walk (13 km) from the former mining village of Kinglassie, through the papermaking town of Leslie, the new town of Glenrothes and finishing in Markinch the former home of Haig’s Whisky.
Fife Pilgrim Way Kinglassie to Markinch – How to get there.
Kinglassie I found was not the easiest place to get to. I caught the 31 bus from Stance 2 at Dunfermline Bus Station. The bus takes an hour to reach Kinglassie so sit back and enjoy the ride. I warn you, it is not scenic.
Fife Pilgrim Way Kinglassie to Markinch – Start of the walk
There are two bus stops in the main street in Kinglassie. I got off at the second stop and proceeded up the street to the Kinglassie Miners Welfare and Bowling Club building. From there you will find the path and a waymarker directing you up the hill and out of the village.
Finglassins Well
A few yards up the path you will find a sign for Finglassins Well. It is well worth making a slight detour to visit the well. Finglassins Holy Well was a popular destination for pilgrims as a place for healing and prayer on the long route to St Andrews.
The well was restored in 2019 by stonemason Colin Sweeney and his son. Funding for the project was raised through a local group Kinglassie Pilgrim Way and Heritage Group working together with the Fife Pilgrim Way. The idea of having the well restored was that of Chairman Sandy Russell. Sandy is remembered by a memorial next to the well.
Rejoin the path and continue up the slight incline and through a metal gate. At this stage don’t forgat to look back. On a clear day you are treated to superb views back toward Kinglassie and onward toward the Firth of Forth, Berwick Law and the Bass Rock. The lochs you see were once part of the Westfield Pit which now house a large recycling and waste disposal plant.
You are now in open countryside with Largo Law to your right which clearly shows it as an extinct volcano. Skylarks hover overhead and the sound of a pheasant in a nearby field.
Blyths Folly
If you look up to the left on the next hill you will see a tower. Blyths Folly was build in 1812 by William Blyth a wealthy linen merchant. The tower rises to a height of 50 feet. Local legend would have it that Blyth built the tower to keep an eye on ships travelling on the Forth allowing him to acquire the best selection of things when they arrived. However the Forth is not wholly visible from the top of the tower. A more realistic theory is that the tower was merely a fanciful and impractical construction for the creators enjoyment and possible ego.
However in World War 2 it became an observation post for the Home Guard who used it to keep an eye on hostile aircraft.
Today the tower is listed as a Category B listed building recognised as a building of historical and architectural significance. Sadly the tower is not open to the public.
Fife Pilgrim Way Kinglassie to Markinch – Onward toward Leslie
Proceed through the metal gate and continue in an easterly direction past the farm on your left toward the paper making town of Leslie. Cross the road and proceed up the pavement until you come to a sign “Public Footpath to Leslie and Glenrothes and a way marker. Follow the rough farm track off to the right. The track is a bit overgrown in parts but don’t be put off you are on the right tract.
The two tops you see before you are East and West Lomond which form part of the Lomond Hills Regional Park accessible from Falkland. Continue to follow the path with fields on either side until you come to a way marker indicating a left turn downward. On the right a field with white metal railings which looked like a stud farm for race horses.
The path then follows the River Leven and you will come across the first signs of early industrialisation, old ruined mill buildings. This is a lovely stretch of path with the flow of the river and birdsong. Cross the stone bridge across the river and look for a green sign marked Bodyfoots Path and Leslie. Take a right and proceed through the metal gate and up the narrow path behind the buildings. A little way along the track i found a seat and an ideal place to stop for a lunch break.
Leslie
As you approach Leslie look out for the large chimney on the right. According to Canmore it is named Prinlaws Stalk. Continue down the road until you come to a block of flats on the left. There is a way marker on ther lamppost which indicates a right turn. Proceed down the path taking a left following another way marker on a lamppost indicating up the road then taking a right down Valley Gardens. At the end of the road you will come to a footpath taking you across an old railway bridge. If you have a problem with heights don’t look down it’s pretty high up and it’s a long way to the river below.
From the bridge you can just see the Sapphire Mill. This is the last paper mill still working in Leslie today.
Sapphire Mill
Formerly Fettykil Mill and part of a locally based company Smith Anderson the mill began making paper in 1840. Sadly the mill closed in 2006 with the loss of 160 jobs which was a devastating blow to the town of Leslie. However in 2009 the mill was bought by Northumberland based Fourstones Paper Mill and was renamed Sapphire Mill. The mill now produces quality recycled tissue parent reels. Due to the success of the tissue parent reels, Fourstones invested in new converting equipment in 2013 to manufacture Centrefeed Paper Disposables.
Hopefully the Sapphire Mill will continue to have a bright future.
Fife Pilgrim Way Kinglassie to Markinch – Next Stop Glenrothes
Just over the bridge a way marker takes you off to the left and through a quiet wooded area. At the end of the woodland path I found no way markers. The OS Map indicates crossing the river and then crossing back agin further down. I decided to follow the path under the suspension bridge. A little way along the path I came to a way marker so was pleased I had made the correct decision. I could enjoy a pleasant walk along the River Leven toward Riverside Park.
At the children’s play area cross the bridge on your left and say goodbye to the River Leven. Proceed up the tarmac path looking out for waymarkers. Continue under the underpass and past Pitcoudie Primary School and onward toward Gilvenbank Community Sports Hub. From there the path takes you round the football pitches eventually crossing the road into Kilmichael Road. Keep walking down Kilmichael Road looking out for way signs on lamp posts.
Keep an eye out for a sign for Ballard Steadings there is a very small waymarker on a lamppost indicating a left turn which can be easily missed. Proceed past the steadings on the left until you come to another main road. Cross at the pedestrian crossing. At this point the path is again badly sign posted. The OS Map indicated walking through a gap in the stone wall. Proceed down the path and you will find a way marker. Cross the road and join a path taking you on another woodland walk toward Balbirnie Park Golf Course.
Fife’s Sacred Centre
Along the path you will come to an ancient stone circle. Below is a picture of the plaque which tells you a bit about the site.
When you get to the Balbirnie Park clubhouse take the path in front of the clubhouse and follow the path through the woodland which will bring you out at a small cottage on you left.
You have arrived at Markinch. Continue down the road past the church toward the High Street. This is the end of the walk from Kinglassie to Markinch along the Fife Pilgrim Way.
Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail
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