East Lomond circuit, Falkland

This superb walk has a bit of everything; a start in beautiful, historic Falkland, a challenging climb to a windswept summit, extensive views and a descent down a fascinating ravine.

Terrain

Good hillpaths; steep ascent

Public Transport

Bus to Falkland.

Start

Falkland centre. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Picturesque Falkland, centred on a spectacular Palace built by the Stuart kings, is packed with fascinating historical buildings and is well worth a detailed exploration - it also has a great tea-room for after the walk! Begin the route from the Bruce fountain at at the centre, heading up Cross Wynd which is opposite the church. Continue straight ahead as the ancient heart of Falkland is left behind and the road has a building site on the left and housing on the right.

Stage 2

At the far end continue on the track, marked Private Road and Footpath to East Lomond, and keep right at the fork. Soon some wooden steps lead up to the left; ascend these, passing the waterworks. Continue straight ahead at the next junction as the path climbs through the beech woods. Further up a very long flight of wooden steps is ascended before the top of the woods are reached. Bear right here onto the path that climbs across the slope.

Stage 3

The domed summit of East Lomond is now clearly visible, whilst the views back over the farmland of Fife - and Falkland village - are superb. The gradient eases slightly for a short distance before a stile is crossed and the final steep and rougher ascent is reached.

Stage 4

The summit is marked by a view indicator; whilst the prospect towards the Highlands is not so extensive as from West Lomond, the view over East Fife and the Forth Estuary is better. The descent is steep and a little rocky at first so take care; an unusual feature is the trig point which is situated not on the summit but on the southern slopes. As the flatter ground below the final cone the path becomes easier, continuing southwest.

Stage 5

It comes alongside a fence and then crosses to follow the track to the right on the far side; there are good views towards West Lomond ahead. Continue along the track which eventually descends to meet the minor road opposite Craigmead car park.

Stage 6

Head through the car park to take the path that starts in the far corner, signed To West Lomond. If you wish to extend the walk and make a day of it, you could include the West Lomond circular walk from here. To continue the main route to Falkland, go through a metal gate and then take the fainter right hand fork through the field (signed 'Path to Falkland'), soon passing through another gate and then beside some woodland. From here the path has been improved and old forestry felled; continue through another gate and then keep left at the obvious fork.

Stage 7

Cross a footbridge and the forked path rejoins from the right shortly afterwards. Continue to pass through another gate, and then look out for two narrower paths which turns sharply right. Take the second of these - not far beyond the first - and follow it as it descends towards the burn. Follow this path down to reach a waterfall; the cliff behind the fall is deeply undercut and the walk continues beneath this and passes behind the falls. Ignore the steps and continue downstream on the far side.

Stage 8

This is the Maspie Den - a showplace in the nineteenth century before the paths were restored more recently. The route crosses four wooden footbridges and then an old stone one by another small waterfall. Ignore another footbridge over to the right and continue on the path through the trees, crossing another stone bridge over a tributary. The path now meets a track - head straight across this, ignoring bridges over the burn on the right. Soon a stone-built tunnel is reached - it twists and turns but there should be enough light to get through!

Stage 9

Beyond, the path passes under an ornate bridge and reaches the House of Falkland. Cross a stione bridge and then bearing left at a fork to meet a tarmac road. Turn right along this and follow this private road as it leads back to Falkland, passing some fine old estate buildings.

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