This walk is approximately 6 miles (10 km) and should take
approximately 3 to 4 hours. There are buses between Kinghorn and Dysart every hour
or so. A few extra hours should be set aside to explore Kirkcaldy - the birthplace
of the famous economist, Adam Smith.
Leaving Kinghorn, the path goes through coastal grassland in which uncommon plants such as Bloody Cranesbill, Rockrose, Agrimony and Wild Clary all grow. Not far out of Kinghorn, note the small well on the left surrounded in Periwinkle, where past travellers were refreshed.
Walking further from Kinghorn we see Seafield Tower, built in the early 16th century by the Moultry family and now a ruin. At the point where the tower comes into view, look directly down onto the coast, and you will see the remains of two limekilns and maybe some seals basking on the rocks just offshore. Between the tower and the next car park is new housing built on the site of the old Seafield Colliery. The wall out to sea is the remains of a harbour that was built in 1880 but never used.
The path takes you on to Kirkcaldy Esplanade completed by unemployed men in 1923. At times, the sea can still come over the wall and flood the esplanade. On the left are the stands and lights of Starks Park, home of Raith Rovers Football Club. A victory over Celtic in the 1992 cup final is still being celebrated by the somewhat astonished towns folk. If wished, take a diversion through Kirkcaldy to visit the many shops, restaurants etc. or to take in the history of the town. Some of the more interesting buildings include the Sheriff Court; The Old Parish Church on Kirk Wynd; The Adam Smith centre, built by Sir Andrew Carnegie and St. Brycedale's Kirk. There is also a museum with was memorial in front and, nearby, the new town hall with 6 lamp posts from the old royal burghs of Fife. Around the corner is the attractive old Post Office building, now a hotel.
At the far end of the Esplanade lies Kirkcaldy Harbour, originally built for whaling ships and now rarely used. Opposite is Sailor's Walk which is a National Trust for Scotland property. Built in 1459, this is thought to be the oldest building in Kirkcaldy. Past it is the front wall of Nairn's linoleum factory the towns most famous product and still manufactured here. Profits from this trade helped to build many of the buildings mentioned above and provided the land for Beveridge Park.
The road from town leads up a steep slope known as The Path, at the top of the hill a road leads to Pathhead Sands, an important roosting area for wading birds during winter. On the cliff is Ravenscraig Castle and Park, both of which yield an excellent view over the Forth toward the Lothians. The castle was built in 1460 on the instruction of James II and is now in the care of Historic Scotland. Look out for another of those unusual beehive doocots just to the east of the castle. The rock on which it is built is both red and yellow sandstone. The castle itself can be accessed from Ravenscraig Park, an area gifted to the town by the Nairn family, who made their money from the linoleum industry. From the castle, look further along the coast to the east and you will see an impressive beehive doocot.
Follow the wall along the coast to the small, picturesque village of Dysart, which has a history going back to the beginning of Christianity in Scotland through an association with St Serf. The 80 foot high tower named after him is all that remains of a 13th Century church. On the seaward side stand the restored cottages of Pan Ha' - a name which relates to the salt pans which once occupied the shore area. The crow-stepped gables of these houses were only one of many continental influences on this coast. Salt was produced by drying sea water in these pans. The local equivalent of "taking coals to Newcastle" is "takin' saut tae Dysart" since, at one time, it would have been as bizarre to take salt to Dysart as it would be to attempt to sell coal to Geordies.
The harbour area is well worth a visit and is one of the most picturesque outside of the East Neuk. The inner harbour was carved from the solid rock. Take Hot Pot Lane and Sailors' Walk for the best views of the harbour and town. The 'Hot Pot' is said to be a corruption of the Dutch 'het pat', indicating the brae or hill leading from the harbour. The Dysart folk were so heavily influenced by their Dutch trading partners that they became known as the 'Little Hollanders'. Sailors Walk runs up above the harbour and provides an excellent seaward view.
Coal was another major export and at one time Dysart had three collieries, the coastal path goes through the remains of one, the Frances, which was closed in 1985. Supplying housing for all the workers of Dysart meant expanding beyond the picturesque confines of the old town. Hill Street is just one of many neat rows of housing that met the needs of the workers.
Other points of interest include a house of James MacDouall Stuart, an Australian explorer born in the town, which is now a small museum detailing his travels (open in summer only). There is also a tollbooth, dating from 1576, and photogenic Hie Gate with its 16th and 18th century houses.
After a look around, continue east through the woods to The Wemyss.
The ruined Seafield Castle near the western bounds of Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy's excellent museum & art gallery near the rebuilt train station
A trip to see Raith Rovers play football at the newly refurbished Stark's Park (aka San Starko)
Kirkcaldy's Beveridge Park with its beautiful trees, pond and snaking path
Dysart's beautiful harbour area and the nearby Pan Ha' and St Serf's Kirk
Last updated April 29, 2001
The Fife Coastal Path site has had visitors since Jan 24, 1998.
Copyright © 1997 The Anchorgate Partnership. All rights reserved.
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