Kelty to Kinglassie on the Fife Pilgrim Way takes the walker on a journey through Fife’s mining past. This is an easy walk, approximately 8.5 miles (13.65 km) and takes the walker through Lochore Meadows Country Park and ending at the village of Kinglassie.
Kelty to Kinglassie on the Fife Pilgrim Way – How to get there:
Take the 7C Stagecoach Bus from Dunfermline to Kelty and get off the bus at Westcroft Way in Kelty. See Stagecoach Bus Timetable for Bus times
Kelty to Kinglassie on the Fife Pilgrim Way – Start of the Walk
Kelty became an important marshalling yard for the coal mining industry in the last part of the 19th and 20th centuries as well as being on the main railway line from Edinburgh to Perth. Sadly the rail connection was axed in 1970 to make way for the M90 motorway which bypasses the town.
Start walking up West Croft Way toward White Gates Terrace and turn left. Look out for the little train on the corner. Proceed down Whitegates Terrace heading east and out of the town.
The path follows the route of an old railway line now part of Kelty Heritage Trails. At the bottom of the path you will come to a main road. Take a right and follow the path to the next way marker. Cross the road at the sign for Lochore Meadows Country Park.
Follow the road through the car park and join an attractive woodland walk. A few yards along, the path comes to a right and left fork. The way markers take you along the north part of the loch. However I would recommend taking the south path to the right as the path gives the walker some great views over the loch towards Benarty Hill. At the time I did this walk the gorse was covered in attractive yellow flowers. Look out for swans, mallard ducks, moorhen and grey geese. Dog owners are asked to keep their pets on a lead at all times
The park is on reclaimed mining land and is a testament to what can be achieved by a partnership of land reclamation and nature.
Follow the path to the Watersports Centre and Willie Clarke Centre at the head of the loch where you will find a cafe and for some, a welcome toilet stop. Please take note this is the only public toilet on this part of the walk. Head toward the large winding wheel which is the only remaining part of the Mary Colliery which once employed hundreds of men.
The Mary Colliery
The Mary opened in 1904 and was the deepest coal mine shaft in Fife at the time. A second shaft was sunk in 1923 and used the concrete winding gear we see today. Electricity was first used in the mine in May 1922 installed by the then owners The Fife Coal Company. By 1948 the mine had reached an output of 800 tonnes of household and navigation coal per day. At its peak in 1957 the mine employed 780 people. The colliery closed in 1966.
The pit experienced several accidents resulting in 119 deaths including 5 accidents from explosions of firedamp or coal dust and 41 from roof falls. Mining was a dangerous, risky business especially for those working at the coal face.
On leaving Lochore Meadows I was amazed by what had been done to turn a landscape dominated by mining for 60years into a leisure park for future generations to enjoy. Nature had also played its part in reclaiming what was once an industrial desert.
Onward to Kinglassie
From the car park and the Willie Clarke Centre follow the road out toward the entrance to the country park. At the end of the road you will come to a small mini roundabout. At the roundabout cross the road and look out for a small arrow turning left and then next right down Park Street. Half way down you will see a sign taking you off to the left through a thicket of trees.
At this point I was stopped by a local lady who asked me if I was looking for the Pilgrim Way. She said a lot of people get lost here as they miss the sign. She did have a point.
Follow the path down a slight incline with a fence on your right. If you see a large pipe on your right you are on the right track. At this point the path takes the walker across open countryside with fields and hedgerows on either side. Up to the right you will find a gate and a few yards further on a seat at the top of a slight incline. At this point it is worth stopping just to admire the view back towards Benarty Hill and Crosshill. Look out for lots of small birds. I spotted Goldfinches and Greenfinches.
Proceed down a farm track until you come to a green gate. Turn left and continue down the road until you come to a way marker indicating a right turn. At the end of the road you will come to the outskirts of Cardenden. Proceed towards the B921. At the road junction take a left. Despite there being a large Pilgrim Way Map in the garden there is no direction sign. However there is a street sign marked Kinglassie Road.
The pavement is narrow and the road can by busy so take care. Follow the pavement over the old railway bridge and into Kinglassie
Kinglassie
The name Kinglassie comes from the Gaelic Kil Glaisne meaning church by the burn. There has been a church on the site since 1100 however the present building dates from 1773. The church and Finglassins Well were pilgrim destinations and a place for healing and prayer for pilgrims on their way to St Andrews. Following the Protestant Reformation in the late 1500’s pilgrimages became a punishable offence. However as far as I am aware no such laws exist today so please feel free as I did to visit the church and the well.
Kelty to Kinglassie on the Fife Pilgrim Way
This was a fitting end to my walk from Kelty to Kinglassie along the Fife Pilgrim Way.
Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail
If you would like to find out more about staying at Sandcastle Cottage in Crail click this link
Alternatively if you would like to book a self catering holiday with us at Sandcastle Cottage then simply click this link which will take you to our booking page. We look forward to welcoming you to Sandcastle Cottage.
Blog posted June 2025