A Rose With Any Other Name - a 'floral' walk round Dunino - 23rd January 2022

It has been ages since my last proper adventurous walk; I'm talking months, maybe even nearly a year. This has largely been due to the lockdown, but more due to the longer lasting effects of the lockdown. The long lasting effects on me, I mean. For nearly two years I have strolled round my local patch, contenting myself with monitoring all the wildlife I see, acquainting myself with every nook and cranny and learning which birds to expect at exactly which location. I'd become accustomed to my regular walks and, dare I say it, I was in danger of getting myself into a rut.

Every time I convinced myself I was going to break out and go somewhere different, I found excuses not to go - the weather was not good enough, I wouldn't have any other opportunity to 'do' my local patch, I'd used the car enough that week etc etc.

Today was the day, however, no excuses. I'd got my flask and lunch made, the route on my phone, my camera fully charged, plenty of layers and just enough enthusiasm to take me to the car and, once in, there would be no looking back.

Hurray! I'd made it. I parked today at Dunino Parish Church, forgetting of course that it was a Sunday and that it was one of the few church buildings in the area that actually still are proper churches, holding regular services, and judging from the number of cars in the car park, there were quite a few in the congregation that morning.

For that reason, I decided to delay my investigation of the churchyard until the end of my walk; I didn't want to give anyone a nasty shock by poking round the graveyard with my camera, hand lens and binoculars. So I headed back to the road, took a quick photo of the church and turned left towards Balkaithly.

This way to Dunino Church - NO5410

I always get a little anxious when heading towards people's houses, especially farms. I've had a few nasty encounters with unwelcoming farmers, so I was glad when I'd got past my appointed 'danger zone' (brow of the hill). Now I could relax and look at my map and think about my next photo. It was a featureless day, which made the 300 foot high Dunino Law look even more uninspiring than it must do on days full of white puffy clouds and lots of sunshine and blue sky. Still it had to be done . . .

The uninspiring Dunino Law - NO5411

I was following a very obvious track and continued to follow it towards the Dunino Burn before I realised I wasn't heading in the right direction. I had blindly followed the track instead of the map. fortunately I hadn't gone too far, so turned around and headed into the next gridsquare where I had a fruitless search for a benchmark on a wall.

Looking back to a slightly more interesting Dunino Law - NO 5511

It had been quite a boring walk thus far with little bird life or features of interest to break the monotony of the monoculturous landscape. I had high hopes for Primrose, however. I do love a ruin and one with a name like Primrose is particularly enticing. In this case, however, it was an inversion of Shakespeare's 'A [Prim]rose by any other name would smell as sweet' as the ruin neither smelt nor looked 'sweet'. Still, I like to imagine the lives of those who have lived here before and this one became more real to me later when I looked round Dunino Churchyard and found a grave to someone from 'Primrose, Dunino'. I did a quick Google Search to see if I could find any more information, but, sadly, I couldn't.

A [Prim]rose by any other name - NO5512

Anne Reedie and Charles Finlay's grave (of Primrose), Dunino Churchyard - NO5410

I'd hoped to find somewhere to sit for a drink at Primrose, but it really didn't look inviting and, as Charlie and Anne were no longer at home (at least not visibly so), I moved on, back into NO5511 and towards  Law Drum, which, mysteriously is shaped like a cross on the map. I could only imagine this piece of land had something to do with the erstwhile airfield here and later found out this was indeed the case.

Apparently the concrete bases of three underground aircraft hangars are still extant here in the cross, which were used for fighter planes operating during WWII. Not it is just a dump and one I found somewhere to sit and look over the distant Forth whilst drinking my cup of tea and listening to the wind playing noisy havoc with broken pieces of machinery and empty, holy containers. An interesting, if eerie place to be.

I was actually sitting in NO 5611 and not looking forward to approaching Upper Kenly, which looked quite extensive on the map.

Upper Kenly - NO5611

I needn't have worried. The farm is now all in ruins and apparently there were also some more aircraft hangars here, but they're not very obvious - not like the ones at nearby Kilduncan Poultry Farm to the east.

Ruins at Upper Kenly - NO5611

I was now very near the aforementioned Poultry Farm and close to where I had had to devise an alternative route to the one originally planned when I did that walk in March 2020 (Wow! That was obviously days before the lockdown!) At that time I hadn't been able to see an obvious route from the Poultry Farm to Upper Kenly as the path marked on the map was no longer extant. 

This time my path was extant and I was heading north towards Kenly Farm Cottages, another gridsquare  and another benchmark. This area is totally fascinating with all its industrial archaeology and ruins. It lends itself well to atmospheric photography, given the right lighting and warmer weather.

The farm cottages were also abandoned, like everything else around here it seems, and I took the opportunity to have a wee nosey round, as is my want.

Upper Kenly Cottage door - NO5612

Upper Kenly benchmark - NO5612

Upper Kenly Farm Cottages - NO5612

Looking back I could see the extensive ruins of Upper Kenly - there were more buildings than I'd realised when I'd walked past and, looking through my binoculars, I could see they were all in ruins. I'd have to return to have another nosey at the big building.

I was looking forward to seeing the Peekie Bridge, which I had hoped to see on my previous visit, but missed out when I had to change the route. Surely this time I would see it. As I approached Lower Kenly, a man was going back into his house and I wish I'd asked him how to get to the bridge; I would have done had I known how difficult it would prove to get to it. In the end I saw it, but it was down a steep slope (which is obvious now, looking at the map). It looked like a lovely old bridge and I decided to try to find another route down to it through Lower Kenly Farm.

The sun was out now, providing a much warmer light for photographs, albeit only a photo of a benchmark!

Lower Kenly benchmark - NO5612

Lower Kenly - NO5612

Sadly, the only possible access I could see on the map was from the other side of the river at Peekie Mill. I would have to devise another route to finally get to visit this lovely old bridge and its benchmark.

Footpath signs, Lower Kenly - NO5612

I was relieved to see a footpath sign at Lower Kenly pointing in the direction I wanted, towards Kenly Water and soon I was crossing a footbridge across the River and looking hopefully for either Dipper or Kingfisher. I saw neither; it just wasn't going to be a bird day.

Footbridge over Kenly Water - NO5613

There was even a bench nearby to sit and watch the birdless river and eat  my lunch (admittedly rather early but why look a gift horse in the mouth?)

Bench on the Kenly Water - NO5613

I had drawn a rather vague line from Park Mill to the A917 - something I'm very good at when walking alone. I don't mind taking the odd risk or two. I'd have been agonising over this very moment since the beginning of the walk if I'd been leading a group of people on a walk, or even just one or two. As it was, I wandered up and down a bit, looking for an obvious way to get up to the road which didn't involve trespassing through someone's garden. In the end, I retraced my steps to the lunchspot and continued in the opposite direction to my desired one and made my way up the hill to a wall. Then I spied some of those delightful stone steps which go over a wall and suddenly I was in a stubble field flushing Pheasants. I'd hoped to have seen the remains of the old viaduct which crosses the Kenly Water at this point, but it has obviously all gone as I could see no sign of it whatsoever.

I was pleased to find a pavement leading north and then west out of Boarhills (well, the outskirts thereof!). I paused to look for another non-existent benchmark and then to photograph a very existing doocot and one I must have photographed at least once before, for this was not a new gridsquare.

Boarhills Doocot and sheep - NO5613

A few more non existent benchmarks later and I was walking past the converted Boarhills Church where Margaret and I had asked the owners if we could look round the graveyard last April.

Boarhills Church (now a private house) - NO5613

The pavement had now disappeared, but I was able to walk through a field or two to my next turn off. In doing so, however, I possibly missed another benchmark and milestone. Oh well! You can't win them all, or even half of them in today's case!

This was a much quieter road to walk along, although obviously used a shortcut between the A917 and the B9131 as a few cars passed me. The remains of an old railway bridge were not marked on my map. They're not even listed on the Canmore site, surprisingly.

Remains of railway bridge on Bonnytown road - NO 5513

The Peekie Standing Stone is, however, and I walked gratuitously up a farm track to get a closer view of this 9' high red sandstone Standing Stone,leaning against some iron railings.

Peekie Standing Stone - NO5513

If I'd wanted to, I could have made a detour in the next gridsquare to visit Peekie Bridge, so this will be the square I have to return to on another visit. As it was, I made do with a photo of what looks like a converted mill, although the Peekie Mill is depicted as being further east and more understandably, by the river.

'Mill' Cottage, Peekie - NO5512

Strictly speaking, I didn't need to photograph this gridsquare as it is the same gridsquare as my aforementioned Primrose. The cottage did, however, have a benchmark, which I quickly took a photograph of as it looked like the owner of the cottage was nearby as his or her car boot was wide open. Why I feel embarrassed about taking photographs like this, I don't know, or why should I sometimes be afraid to ask about it? People are probably, after all, rather proud of their 'castles' and their accompanying benchmarks - at least they should be!

In the next gridsquare I finally found a benchmark, only my third of the day an, unusually, it was on a thick concrete post.

Benchmark on 'Mill' Cottage, Peekie - NO5512

This was my third benchmark of the day and I was very shortly going to get my fourth - unusually on a large concrete post at the corner of the road.

Benchmark, Peekie post - NO5412

Post on corner of road - NO5412

I continued round the corner to Bonnytown Cottages where I saw the most bird activity of the entire walk. Lots of Yellowhammers, Tree Sparrows and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were flitting round the bushes and hedges here. I didn't want to look too closely as it looked like the inhabitants were definitely inhabiting (always a problem when you want to look through binoculars), but I did manage a quick photo of a small flock of Yellowhammers.

Yellowhammers at Bonnytown Cottages - NO5412

Bonnytown Cottages - NO5412

The road turned sharply south-west here, past Bonnytown itself, enclosed behind a high wall. Post-walk research has revealed  a possible reason for the high wall (I assumed the present owners just wanted some privacy). Apparently there used to be a prisoner-of-war camp behind the wall. According to Canmore, "The buildings are all derelict, dilapidated and overgrown, and some have been demolished many years ago." The Camp was used to house Italian prisoners of war who were assigned to do agricultural work in the area.

If I'd known all that beforehand, I might have attempted a photograph! My attention had been drawn, however, to a more promising name on the map - Violet Latch. It's only when you explore the land in as close detail as my gridsquare walks that you come across such minute detail, which is why I love exploring in this way. I get mini adrenaline rushes just from such explorations and discoveries - no need for the likes of Alton Towers for me!

Violet Latch turned out to be a more attractive feature than poor old Primrose - it is merely a burn, maybe even a ditch! But it does have its own bridge ( albeit with no benchmark)

Violet Latch- NO 5412

Bridge over Violet Latch - NO 5412

My research revealed little about the origins of this name other than the possibility of it being a jocular reference to Primrose to the east  and the fact that there was/is a field called Violet on the farm of Strathvithie Mains, giving a grid reference slightly south of the bridge and in the next gridsquare.

I finally made it into NO 5312, my most westerly gridsquare where I photographed some more cottages before joining the B9131, heading south.

Cottages at Strathvithie - NO5312

I hadn't been looking forward to joining this road. B roads are invariably  busy without anything of a footpath, but I was able to walk alongside a multitude of roofless polytunnels until I reached Strathvithie Mill Bridge where I failed to find another benchmark. The road was too busy to linger, so I peered over the bridge at the Cameron Burn for another fruitless search for Kingfisher/Dipper and moved on.

Cameron Burn - NO5311

Just after Pathhead, I recognised a footpath sign I'd driven past this morning. It was signposted to Dunino Den and Church - just what I wanted. Hurray! I wouldn't have to walk any further along this busy road.

Footpath sign to Dunino Den and Church - NO5311

It was lovely to be by the water again, despite the lack of birds. I crossed another bridge and was soon back to the churchyard - and suddenly in amongst many people who had perhaps come to view the sculptured stone and sundial which I never managed to find (I didn't really spend a lot of time searching for it)

Footbridge over Dunino Burn - NO5311

Sign to Dunino Kirk - NO 5311

I had deliberately saved a cupful of tea in my flask to enjoy in the graveyard and sat and drank this before looking round the graves here. I found one of interest - which I'll save for another time! After that I was very glad to get in my car, turn the heating up full and get back to my cosy flat.

Number of miles walked: 8.5

Number of new gridsquares: 10

Number of times crossed a river/burn: 6

Number of hidden aircraft hangars: 6 (I think)

Highlights: the ruins at Kenly, the birds at Bonnytown, the industrial archaeology, Kenly Water

Walk worth repeating: Yes, although I'd like to see the Peekie bridge, but would like to revisit the hangar sites and the run at Upper Kenly

Of Former Flight - Kingsbarns Circular - 8th March 2020

After dropping  Lorna off at Cupar station, I drove on to Kingsbarns, where today's walk would begin. I swithered between clockwise or anti-clockwise for the walk. I've usually got a particular direction in my head without thinking about it too much, and I had today - anti-clockwise. That was because I wanted to see the sea, but then I decided it would be nice to see the sea at the end of my walk, so I plumped for clockwise and get the boring bit over and done with first.

Kingsbarns Car Park - NO6012

And that's hopefully today's most boring photograph also over and done with right at the start!

I walked up Sea Road, which I'd just driven down and strode off to the left at the first opportunity so I could walk through the woods, rather than along the road. Signs of spring were everywhere. I heard Dunnock and saw buds of fresh green Hawthorn. A brand new building caught my eye and I decided to photograph it for the gridsquare. I later discovered it's something to do with the R & A (which, for the uninitiated, like me) stands for Royal And Ancient (Golf Course), so it's got something to do with golf.

R & A Centre, Kingsbarns. NO5912

I didn't realise I was walking towards Cambo House and was surprised to discover someone (dogless) behind me. She turned off toward the house when we approached this tourist attraction.

Cambo Farm. NO5911

I had visited Cambo House last February with Tim, which had been very poignant as he had been the year before with our parents. Mum loved snowdrops and the display here is well worth seeing. I hope there are Snowdrops for her in heaven. Seeing them here today, albeit past their best, strengthened my connection with her and I smiled through my tears.

Cambo House. NO6011

Entrance to Cambo Farm. NO6010

Snowdrops at Cambo House. NO6010.

Walking through the woodland I was suddenly accosted by fairies, or, to be more accurate, by their absence. It was as if they had just exited the stage. fled on my approach and their scent yet lingered in the woody air.

Evidence of fairies in Cambo Wood. NO6010

Soon their scent was overcome by the sound and whiff of traffic fumes as I approached the ever busy A917. I checked my map to see how long I had to walk along this road for. Not long. Phew! I photographed the entrance to Cambo House as my subject for gridsquare NO5910 and then one of Fife's attractive milestones, complete with benchmarks, which most of them seem to have.

Entrance to Cambo House. NO5910

Cambo Milestone. NO5910

I crossed the road and made for my exit therefrom, photographing an unusual 'upside down' benchmark on the gatepost to West Newhall Farm as I took that turn off.

'Upside down' benchmark at entrance to West Newhall Farm. NO6010

Entrance to West Newhall Farm. NO6010. The unusual benchmark is on the right-hand gatepost on the other side from the photograph.

The gateposts sufficed for a photograph for this gridsquare as I was not to be in it for long. They certainly made more of gateposts in the olden days; I had noticed that frequently on my ramblings through Fife - that and the plethora of dovecots.

I was feeling the need of a rest so I sat on a tree stump and annoyed a Buzzard who mewed persistently. "I won't be here for long," I reassured him.

Woodland in NO5909.

Although the path is well marked on my 2004 version of the OS Explorer map, in reality it is not so pronounced and I fought my way through to the former railway line at Summerfield, where the property was being renovated. I bet the workers there do not see many lone walkers fighting through the undergrowth.

Cycle route at Summerfield. NO5909

I was somewhat relieved to see a blue cycle route sign pointing in both directions here. For future reference I shall take the route to the right, but today, to gain a trigpoint and more squares, I was heading left. The track follows the former Anstruther/St Andrews railway line. I love these paths and think there should be more of them as there are so many former railway lines throughout Fife and not all of them are traversible.

I paused to greet two donkeys at Summerfield who came 'bounding' to see me but our greeting wasat a distance due to an electric fence between us.

Donkeys and electric fence at Summerfield. NO5909

I almost promised that the most boring photograph was out of the way, but I didn't foresee NO6009 and it's a good job I am in the habit of constantly checking my phone map as I was in that gridsquare for all of about four steps before leaving it, just long enough to snap a photograph in the right direction.

NO6009

I must admit, it does always feel a bit like cheating to do that, but it's in my rules. It doesn't stop me from prolonging my visit to this gridsquare and getting a better photograph on a future occasion though.

For now, I walked past Ragfield and approached the B9171 and my first bridge of the day.

Bridge near Ragfield. NO6008

I was to follow the B9171 all the way through the next gridsquare, past Ribbonfield, whose sign I liked a lot, another reminder of former days.

Ribbonfield. NO5908

Then I was at the entrance to Lochton.

Entrance to Lochton Farm. NO5808

This was definitely the section of the walk I would not do again, but am glad I have done. At least I was going to get a trigpoint for my trouble. Not so. If I had done my homework properly before setting off, or if someone had answered my knock on the door at Lochton, I would have learnt that the Lochton trigpoint now lies in a ditch somewhere. I didn't know this though as I scoured the hill where it was supposed to be for any signs of its dominating pillar. I walked right up to its supposed location and looked again in vain. In disgust I walked across the filed down to the B940, not wanting to wander through private property at Cocklaw, though that would have been a more direct route to my next destination.

Muirhead gatepost. NO5809

I snapped the above photograph for the gridsquare and raced up the road to get to where I was supposed to be, mad at my futile field ramblings.  I hoped the next farm path would prove walkable. My 2004 map is not always reliable, but then often when I have checked against the 2014 version, I have found the footpaths little changed; it's often the major roads that have been marked as altered.

I was pleased to finally see Yellowhammer at Hilleraye as I waved to the farmer passing me in his pick up truck.

Hilleraye Farm. NO5709

The path from Hilleraye is not immediately obvious so I felt a little self-conscious as I waved to the farmer. Did he wonder what I was up to and where I was headed? The trick is to look confident and smile. In fact the footpath heads off north-east and is very obvious when you approach. Phew! My mood was picking up now as I was back on track and had seen two more benchmarks so far. It continued to improve as I approached Kippo Cottages and realised they were boarded up. This was sad, but made an attractive subject for a photograph, and furthermore, made scouring round for the benchmark much easier.

Kippo Cottages. NO5810

The benchmark was barely visible on the end of the right hand cottage.

Benchmark on Kippo Cottages. NO5810

If Kippo Cottages were deserted, Kippo Farm was not and I greeted the hefty bull and his mistresses as I walked past.

Cattle at Kippo Farm. NO5710

I photographed the benchmark on one of the outbuildings and then the very photogenic farm buildings.

Benchmark at Kippo Farm. NO5710

Kippo Farm. NO5710

There would be enough  material here for a days' worth of photography and I was enjoying the forgotten world feeling of today's walk, which was to continue.

Doocot, Kippo Farm. NO5710

Fife is apparently the doocot capital of Scotland. I felt I had only just begun my 'Footsteps through Fife' and yet, even in these, my early travels, I was frequently stopping to photograph doocots. so what was it about doocots and Fife?

Apparently there were 360 doocots in Fife in the 18th century, 106 of which still survive today. Their original purpose was to provide housing for rock doves which in turn would provide a delicacy for their owner's table. There are those concerned for the future of doocots,a s there are those concerned for the future of former red telephone kiosks, and I admire both groups. For more information about doocots, visit The Courier.

Hook feature at Kippo Farm. NO5710

I emerged onto a minor road which would have led me in just over a mile back into Kingsbarns and I realised I was only at my half-way point. I turned right and, resisting the urge to continue and head into Kingsbarns, I turned left towards the poultry farm.

Kingsbarns from my halfway point. NO5711

I was walking along a gravelly track and pulled over at least once for passing traffic. "She must live at the poultry farm," I mused as I waved cheerily to the occupant of the small car. I always try to judge the driver's thoughts from their return greeting. Surprise? Worry? Indifference? Curiosity? I couldn't tell in this instance and wandered on, wondering where I might pause to eat my lunch. I didn't fancy eating it at the poultry farm as they are notoriously smelly places.

I passed some more disused buildings, which I discovered later were associated with the nearby Dunino airfield, but in what context I was unable to establish. There was also an old water tank.

Industrial 20th Century archaeology near Dunino Airfield. NO5711

Emergency Water Tank. NO5711

More places to return to and explore/photograph further. The abandoned/redundant feeling of today's walk was growing.

The road crossed the Kilduncan Burn and I entered another relic of a bygone age - the poultry farm. Far from the anticipated noise and stench, the air was normally stale and eerily quiet with just a few bits of detached bits of building flapping poignantly in the breeze. I later discovered that many of the buildings here were built as hangars and for other uses by Dunino Airfield. Their alternative name is HMS Jackdaw II. They were then reclaimed for use as a poultry farm, but today, their association with either avian or man-made flight seems long forgotten.

Of former flight - redundant buildings at Kilduncan Poultry Farm/HMS Jackdaw II. NO5711

I didn't fancy sitting anywhere here with my lunch as it was very windy, so I pressed on, turning left at a 'T-junction'. This was to prove a mistake as the footpath dwindles out to nothing. I was tempted to continue on the path leading left round the former airfield, but this would, best case scenario, add a mile to my walk, worst case scenario add two miles to my walk if I had to return to this, my starting point. I reluctantly turned back. I would have to walk up the dismantled railway line at Kilduncan north to Kenly Bridge and miss out on two gridsquares. Still, I would be gaining one I wouldn't otherwise have gained.

So I returned to the 'T-junction and continued eastwards towards Kilduncan Farm where I wanted to avoid the gaze of the JCB, or rather, its driver. He was facing the other way so I quickly turned northwards and joined the former Anstruther/St Andrews railway line.

Former Anstruther/St Andrews railway line at Kilduncan. NO5712

The traverse of NO5712 was rather monotonous, particularly as I was getting hungry and keen to find somewhere to sit with my lunch. I thought the timing was perfect when I was caught in a heavy shower just as I approached a railway tunnel, but the tunnel proved to be a wind tunnel, so I was dry but in a howling gale! I put my camera way and headed back into the rain.

Boarhills Railway Bridge. NO5613

Apparently, further along this section of railway there is a viaduct, and I toyed with the idea of continuing along the railway line to join the A917 further west, but thought it was a slightly better option to go eastwards instead. I'm not sure if the viaduct is accessible or traversible, but that provides yet another reason to redo at least sections of this walk.

I had emerged at the Kenly Water and found my way down to a tree stump where I finally was able to eat my lunch by the fast flowing river. I was on constant look out for Dipper, Grey Wagtail or Kingfisher, but saw nothing except Goldfinch, a new bird for me today.

In keeping with my theme of former things I snapped a former farm building, now in an advanced state of disrepair. I was glad to be by the water, but it was difficult to get an unobstructed view of it for a photograph or to satisfactorily gaze at the water.

Former farm building by Kenly Water. NO5613

Kenly Bridge over Kenly Water. NO5613

I later read that my suspicions were in fact correct; Gallows Law, the lower flanks of which I had been sitting, was used for the execution of local criminals in days gone by. Apparently stone coffins have been found in the locality. Spooky!

My map showed a footbridge at Kenlygreen, so I headed through the austere gateposts and went off the driveway down to the water's edge where I followed the river to the said footbridge, only to find a small gate with a padlock on it. Mad, I turned round and retraced my steps to the Kenly Bridge. I was going to have to find an alternative route - again! I did see another doocot for my troubles, albeit with restricted views, but I had not gained another gridsquare for the extra half mile I'd walked.

Kenlygreen doocot. NO5613

I followed the A917 to a house beyond which my map showed a footpath. But would it be there? It just about was. I took it and lept niftly over a wooden gate into a field and back down to the Kenly Water and the Fife Coast Path. I was relieved to be on an official path once more. At first I thought I had to cross the footbridge (phew, it was there and no gate or padlock!), but realised the FCP crosses the Kenly Water on its southwards route and that I was on the correct side of the river. And there were more ruins to boot! Things were definitely looking up. This was by far the most scenic part of the walk and I revelled in the sound of rushing water; one needs natural sounds to keep one sane, to remind one that life flows and goes on. In my stale office atmosphere there is very little that is natural about it, so it is no wonder my spirit is lifeless by the end of the day.

My feet found energy again as I walked by the river, peering into more ruined relics of the past, death and life side by side as they naturally are.

Pitmilly Mill NO5713

Kenly Water. NO5713

I went up some steps and continued my walk by the beautiful Kenly Water.

Steps by Kenly Water. NO5713

Kenly Water. NO5713.

Further along I at last heard and saw the Dipper. What a joy that was! Singing its little heart out and welcoming spring. Nature has such a restorative effect if we only expose ourselves to it often enough. Immerse ourselves in its beauty. We were designed to be outdoors so much more often than we are; I'm sure of it!

A little further on, revelling in the sound of the rushing water, I passed another ruin, Hillhead Mill. I took a peep and mused on times gone by and the simpler life it was then, in some ways, but, in others, much harder.

Hillhead Mill by Kenly Water. NO5714

Hillhead Mill. NO5714

Kenly Water. NO5714.

All too soon I was at the mouth of the Kenly Water and there before me lay the vast open sea. There's nothing quite like it for soothing the troubled soul and it lay bathed in sunshine and tranquillity.

Kenly Water mouth. NO5814

I was glad I'd left the best till last and this was a super walk after all the miles through fields. Ahead I could see the remains of another building.

Fife Coast Path with Hillhead Fishing Station in distance. NO5814

Hillhead Fishing Station. NO5814

Fife Coast Path near Hillhead Fishing Station. NO5814

Relics of a former life. Hillhead Fishing Station. NO5814.

I continued on my way, basking in the sunshine.

Fife Coast Path and Hillhead Fishing Station. NO5814

I had just two gridsquares left before returning to the car, and I'd picked up quite a few coastal species en route - Redshank,  Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Rock Pipit and Eider.

Fife Coast Path at Babbet Ness. NO5914

Yet another strategically placed subject lay in my lens' view for the next gridsquare - an abandoned caravan at Airbow Point.

Caravan at Airbow Point. NO5913

Airbow Point. NO5913

I'd been resisting the urge to photograph lichen as it always presents me with the problem of wanting to identify it and I would never walk far if I stopped at every single temptation. Some delightful ramalinas stopped me in my tracks, however, simply demanding I photograph them.

Ramalina lichen on Fife Coast Path.

Redshank. NO6012

My miles were done for the day, and for quite a few days thereafter. I hope to be out again soon. Spring is calling and deserves our embrace.

Number of new gridsquares: 23

Number of miles walked: 13

Walk worth repeating: with a few changes, yes, want to explore Poultry farm more and Dunino airfield.

Highlights: coastal stretch, Poultry Farm, Kenly Water