Walking the Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres

Section 6 Kennoway to Ceres

Walking the Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres takes the walker out across open farmland with some fine views over the East Neuk of Fife, the Firth of Forth and the Lomond Hills.

The walk will take you through Clatto Den, Clatto Reservoir and on down the Waterless Road towards the village of Ceres.

Kennoway can be found on the OS Map just north of Leven and Methil in the area of Fife known as Levenmouth. Bus is the only public transport available as there is no rail connection. It is suggested that the name Kennoway came from St Kenneth who spent many years spreading the Christian faith in Scotland during the 6th Century.

Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
St Kenneth’s Church Kennoway

Start of the Walk

Kennoway town centre has a number of local shops including a Co-op and an excellent bakery where you can buy all you need for the walk. There are no other shops until you get to Ceres so best to stock up before you start.

We started walking the Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres by following the signs on the lamp posts up towards St Kenneth’s Church and onwards up the main road out of Kennoway towards the village of Bonnybank.

Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
Walking towards Bonnybank
Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
On reaching Bonnybank take a left at the waymarker
Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
View across the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh

When you get to Bonnybank there is a marker post which directs you to the left and up around the back of the village along a grassy path. On the left are open fields offering the walker their first view out across the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh and Arthurs Seat.

Continue along the path until it joins a farm road with a wind turbine on the left. You are now out into the countryside and as you walk up a slight incline you are treated to your first view of Largo Law, Fife’s very prominent volcano (thankfully now extinct). Although you can still see clearly the outline of the crater. Click on this link to read my blog Climbing Largo Law. Other landmarks to look out for are Kincraig Hill which overlooks Elie which I still consider is one of the best parts of the Fife Coastal Path. See my blog Fife Coastal Path Leven to Elie.

Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
Looking towards Largo Law

Continue along the path past a large cattle shed and through a gate towards a small wooded area. Look for the marker post on your right through the gate. It is here we found the first of many different types of butterflies on the walk.

Pilgrim Way
Section of the path between Bonnybank and Edensmuir Forest

Continue walking along a tree lined farm track towards Edensmuir Forest.

Edensmuir Forest

Pilgrim Way
Entering the deep dark wood Edensmuir Forest

The next part of the walk takes you through Edensmuir Forest. Even on a bright sunny day parts of this wood are dark which reminded me of a story I used to read to my son and daughter about a Gruffalo who lived in a deep dark wood. At this point I should say that there is a good road through the wood so no danger of getting lost. As you emerge you are again treated to an excellent view across to the Lomond Hills.

Pilgrim Way
Looking towards the Lomond Hills

After you have admired the view, take a left and continue along the path looking out for a gate and a sign “Poachers will be Prosecuted” This is a reference to the next part of the walk as Clatto Reservoir is a favourite spot for anglers. However you do need a permit to fish there.

There is also another chance here to take in the view over Largo Law and out over the Firth of Forth towards the Bass Rock.

Clatto Den and Clatto Reservoir a local beauty spot.

Continue along the path towards Craigview Farm with its large wind turbine. At this point take a left and follow the grassy path down into Clatto Den and on towards the reservoir. This is one of the highlights of the walk and a nice spot to stop and have lunch. There is a seat by the side of the fishing hut on the shores of the reservoir.

PilgPilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
A stop for lunch at Clatto Reservoir

From Clatto Reservoir follow the tarmac road for approximately three quarters of a mile until the road joins another B road. Take a left at this junction and walk up the hill towards the small hamlet of Muirhead.

At Muirhead follow the waymarker through a gate and down the side of a large field. As you walk down the field the valley towards Ceres opens out in front of you. On the left up on the hill is the village of Chance Inn and below don’t miss the ruins of Struther’s Castle and the Doocot. If you would like to find out more about Struthers Castle click on this link. Also to your left is Scotstarvit Tower and the Hill of Tarvit.

Pilgrim Way
Struthers Castle

The home stretch towards Ceres

At this point the path crosses the busy A916 so take care in crossing this road. On the opposite side the path joins an old right of way known as the Waterless Road. The Waterless Road is part of the old road which linked Ceres with Old Kennoway. This was the road taken by Archbishop Sharp before he was murdered on Magus Moor south of the village of Strathkinness, just outside St Andrews.

Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
The Waterless Way the old road towards Ceres

Follow the tree lined track past Muirhead Farm and on towards Ceres. As you approach Ceres one of the first buildings you see is Ceres Church with its tall church spire.

Ceres is a very attractive small village and well worth spending time walking around. There is a pub and some local shops or why not visit the Fife Folk Museum.

The walk for us ended in the car park by the old bridge and the Fife Folk Museum.

Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
As you approach Ceres one of the first buildings you see is the large church spire
Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
Old Bridge over the Ceres Burn
Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
Pilgrim Way Gateway at Ceres

The Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres – How to get there.

I would recommend consulting Traveline Scotland as different bus company’s operate routes to Ceres and Kennoway. There is also a Traveline Scotland App which I found useful. There is a direct bus operated by Moffat & Williamson 41B from Ceres to Kennoway.

If you choose to drive to Kennoway there is a car park in the town centre. The good news is you can park all day for free. There is also a car park at the end of the walk in Ceres and you can park there for free all day.

The Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres – What will I need for the Walk?

A good pair of boots or stout shoes are essential. Some parts could be muddy depending on the weather. Also waterproof clothing is essential. Parts of this walk are very remote and provide little in the way of shelter from the rain. Take plenty food and water with you. After Kennoway or Ceres there are no shops to buy food.

I would also recommend you buy a map. When passing through the towns the marker discs on the lamp posts are very small and are easily missed.

Pilgrim Way Marker Dic
Look out for the marker discs on the lamp posts and gates
Walking the Pilgrim Way
The many different types of butterfly we spotted on the walk

The Verdict.

If I did not have enough time to complete the whole walk would I;

  1. Walk the Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
  2. Consider walking the Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres
  3. Leave it

I would definitely recommend walking the Pilgrim Way Kennoway to Ceres. This is a great walk and takes in a large part of the Fife countryside with some great views. There are lots of different types of birds, animals and insects to spot on the way.

If you click on the map image below this will take you to the Amazon site where you can purchase the Footprint Map. I would also recommend reading the The Fife Pilgrim Way by Dr Ian Bradley in preparation for this walk. I receive a small commission which helps me to maintain this site.

Staying at Sandcastle Cottage Crail

If you want to find out more about staying at Sandcastle Cottage in Crail whilst walking the Pilgrim Way then click on our website at www.2crail.com or click on the book now button.

Anything to add?