It is time for the 2024 Walking Festival,
20th March to 10th April.
Go to Walking Festival page.
Click on image to enlarge
The Craigencalt Trust area covers 3km (2 miles) of countryside, some 8 sq km, while the Walk Cards and those from the Walking Festival covers some 100 sq km. While many of the wider area paths are rough, over steep hills and muddy fields, the paths within the Trust area are either readily traversed or part of the paths network built, managed or maintained by the Trust. The improved paths are all suitable for disabled buggies (to comply with the Fieldfare Trust and Paths for All guidance), family buggies, horses and cycles (SHARE WITH CARE), and without steps. The Fife Coastal Path runs within the area covered by our booklet. There are several map boards.
Almost all the paths in this area contain relatively steep section and you will be surprised how the "ascent" metres build up!
The café at the farm steading has closed down but The Ecology Centre offers light food and refreshments. Currently the café is open Thursday to Monday.
Try out the Troll Bridge on Rodanbraes Path with the 'Three Billy Goats Gruff' story, rope swing and the old ruined cottages of the 'Witches Cottage', celebrated in story-telling of the Walking Festival. The paths have super views over the Firth of Forth and its islands, over to Edinburgh and 75 km panorama from the Isle of May to the bridges. The woodlands are great for the children and the loch (owned by British Alcan Aluminium Ltd). The loch is "free-to-use" for all amateur, non-powered water sports, pond dipping, etc. The countryside is abundant in a wide range of wildflowers and birds, hare and deer, and insects. A special time is when the toads (and some frogs) go to the loch for breeding and the thousands of tiny toads that return.
The unobstructed paths are much used by joggers, runners and cyclists with the opportunity to cover many km.
'Come & Try' day, 1-4pm,
13th May 2023.
The weather was wonderful this year on a calm, sunny, warm day. So many people decided to come and try out the activities that it might well have been the best attendance ever. Certainly the canoes were kept on the go all afternoon and the dinghy sailors must have been exhausted, still on the go after 5pm. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. 'Greenheart Growers' also decided to hold an open day to co-incide with the Come & Try and lots of visitors enjoyed both.
The Ecology Centre café was open for refreshments too.
The swan sat on its nest just outside the bird hide providing a focal point for youngsters to view. Lots took to walking up Rodanbraes for the Troll Bridge and the swing so a broad range of experiences was gained.
At the end of the day, the event is to encourage youngsters to enjoy all that the loch and countryside has to offer and the day succeeded in doing that.
Walking Festival 2023.
View a slideshow of photos from the Festival.
The Spring Walking Festival was a great success with many new folk coming along, as well as those returning from previous years. It was great to see so many folk enjoying a spring walk. The weather was wet and cool sometimes but nothing dampened the spirits of the walkers, keeping the atmosphere friendly and jovial.
Walks varied in distance, interest and difficulty, providing something for everyone to enjoy. The area spanned from Dalgety Bay to Kirkcaldy, covering coastline and inland countryside in equal measure. The conclusion from walkers is always the same, this is a beautiful part of Fife, a hidden gem.
As each Walking Festival ends there is always talk of another one next year, a sign of satisfaction and something to look forward to in 2024
Contact Us
Walking Group:
First Wednesday of every month, meeting in the “outer” car park (the entrance to Craigencalt Farm at the bottom of Red Path Brae) at 10am. Also meets on third Wednesday during summer. Dogs are welcome on most walks but it is best to check with the Walk Leader first.
Contact Marilyn Tel 07740999514 or by "Contact Us" form.
Regular Activities:
There are several water sports clubs that use Kinghorn Loch regularly though not all are based at the loch. All have summer and winter timetables that they follow so times on the water can vary. The arrangements given below need to be checked with the clubs.
Kinghorn Radio Controlled Sailing Club:
Saturdays, noon-4pm and Wednesdays.
Contact secretary email
kinghornradiosailingclub.org.uk
Kirkcaldy Canoe Club:
Saturdays 10am-noon, Tuesdays 6pm-8pm, Thursdays 6pm-8pm. Also a number of regattas and other events are held during the summer months.
Contact the Canoe Club for dates of regattas
email secretarykcc@gmail.com
Open Water Swimmers
(informal):Tuesdays 6pm-8pm (May-October)
Kinghorn Sailing Club:
Please contact the club.
email kinghornsc@hotmail.co.uk
Kinghorn Coastal Rowing Club: Meets several times a week at the loch during winter. Contact the secretary at kinghorncoastalrowingclub@gmail.com
Sustainable Communities Initiative (Earthship Fife)
Sadly the Earthship has been dismantled and SCI no longer has a presence at the loch.
Times and dates may vary and should be confirmed with the clubs.
Contact clubs through their websites or via info@craigencalttrust.org.uk.