St Ninians and Loch Fitty from Kingseat

One of the more unusual walking routes in the region, this one starts from the village of Kingseat and crosses a causeway over beautiful Loch Fitty. The destination is St Ninians; originally a deep coal mine, then a vast opencast mine until closure in 2013. There were plans to transform the site into a massive artwork by renowned landform artist Charles Jencks; partly realised but abandoned before completion. Today there are further development plans as a 'wellness' centre, but the site is already interesting for walkers, with man-made grassy hills (former mining spoil bings) now bedecked by wildflowers.

Terrain

Good tracks and paths to the St Ninians site. The bings or landscape mounds are ascended by paths which are very steep in places, but can also be climbed by longer spiralling paths or avoided entirely.

Public Transport

Bus to Kingseat from Dunfermline.

Start

Roadside parking towards north end of Kingseat village. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance

7km / 4.25 miles

Time

1.5 - 2 hours

Ascent

180m (Profile)

Start Grid Ref

NT125905

Mapping and GPS

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is roadside parking towards the north end of Kingseat village. Begin the walk by continuing north along the pavement, then when the pavement ends bear left down the gated tarmac lane, signed as part of the Fife Pilgrim Way. Keep ahead on the lane, ignoring tracks off right and left, until it reaches Loch Fitty. The route then crosses Loch Fitty via a causeway. This beautiful loch was planned to be drained by the coal board, but the idea was never realised.

Stage 2

You can see the big bings of the St Ninians site - locally known as the Walnut Whip. On the far side of the causeway turn right at a t-junction with a tarmac lane, then follow this when it bends left. Turn left again to pass a metal barrier and continue into the strange landcape of St Ninians. This was a huge opencast mine until closure, and then had a partial transformation as a huge landscape art project - leaving the bings with their spiralling tracks up them. Continue along the track for 350m until a rough path goes off left. This aims towards the largest of the bings. At the track at its foot turn right and then left to make the ascent via a clear path. It is steep in places and the ascent can either by avoided completely (by following the track left) - or made more gradual using the spiralling tracks - a long way around!

Stage 3

At the top of the bing are trees protected by rings of tyres, and a metal sculpture made from old mine workings. The mounds were intended to represent the exodus of emigrating Scots to the corners of the world. You can ascend the highest point for a view northwards over a man-made loch that was part of the opencast mine site. Our route now descends the very steep path down the western side of the bing, aiming towards its smaller neighbour.

Stage 4

The second bing can likewise be avoided using the track on its left, or ascended via a steep path, eroded by trail-bikers. On its summit are two small peaks - crossing them requires care; you can then descend the far side and bear left to return to the main track which crosses the site to the south of the bings.

Stage 5

Turn right (west) along this main track. It soon reaches a larger turning / open area. From here bear left, taking the leftmost of the two tracks that begin from the same point. Follow the track when it bends right, then ignore the first track off left. Before reaching a second right hand bend, turn left onto the next track, heading towards an area of trees and bushes.

Stage 6

As a gate (kept locked) is reached, bear left to reach a gap in the fence, then turn left on a path that runs beside the far side of the fence. This grassy path soon bends right, passing through a kissing gate beside a farm gate. Soon the route comes alongside more trees and the shore of Loch Fitty. Follow the path as it heads left, eventually crossing a footbridge and then meeting the outward route. Turn right to head back across the causeway, retracing your steps to the start.

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