Tyndall Bruce Monument and Falkland Estate

The Falkland Estate was once a hunting ground for the Stuart Kings and Queens; today the area is criss-crossed by good footpaths and provides a great place for a wander. This route climbs up to the Tyndall Bruce Monument before returning through the woods past the Witches' Cave.

Terrain

Woodland paths and tracks.

Public Transport

Bus to Falkland village, 1km to start.

Start

Falkland Estate car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance

6km / 3.75 miles

Time

1.5 - 2 hours

Ascent

138m (Profile)

Start Grid Ref

NO247074

Mapping and GPS

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is car parking at the Falkland Centre for Stewardship - housed in a beautiful complex of stable buildings just through the gates of the Falkland Estate, coming from Falkland village. There are several great walks here ranging from an exploration of the Maspie Den to an ascent of East Lomond - either or both could be combined with this route. Begin the walk by continuing along the main track past the stable complex; when a junction is reached stay on the main track straight ahead. A short distance further on turn left onto a footpath into the trees at the Maspie Den sign.

Stage 2

The path runs up the east side of the Maspie Burn, with views to the arts and crafts-style House of Falkland to the left. Stay down by the burn, following the path under an archway of an ornate bridge. Further on the path leads through a twisting tunnel - intended as a picturesque feature of the estate.

Stage 3

Further on, ignore a stone bridge on your left and keep right at a fork. The path now leads up to a forest track; turn right along this. Ignore paths off to the left, instead following the track to the farm and buildings at Westfield. Here the track splits several ways - our route takes the track to the left of the one with the metal barrier. Fork right onto a well-made path, and further on ignore a path off to the left over a bridge, instead keeping ahead and climbing slightly towards forestry. At the edge of the trees ignore a path off right, and go straight on. Keep left at another fork; eventually the path rejoins a track - bear left along this.

Stage 4

Ignore a waymarked path off left, following the track uphill. When the track forks keep right, then right again (waymarked) to head to the impressive Tyndall Bruce Monument. This impressive structure was built in 1855 to commemorate the local Laird, the interestingly-named Onesiphorus Tyndall Bruce.

Stage 5

Wander round to the far side of the monument to take in the superb views over the fertile Howe of Fife - there is a well-placed bench for a break. Now retrace your steps back down the track through the forest, but ignore the path on the right that you came up and instead continue down the track. It swings sharply right and then back left, and then at the next bend turn left onto a well-made pathway contouring through the trees.

Stage 6

Eventually the path passes a massive rock outcrop with a seat carved into an overhang - this is known as the Witches' Cave. Just beyond the path emerges on a track - turn right along this. When the track reaches a junction near an information board, follow it downhill to the left. Ignore two paths off to the left, continuing along the track until it reaches a junction immediately after a metal barrier (with the houses of Chancefield visible ahead).

Stage 7

Turn sharp right here, following a track which climbs gently uphill. Keep ahead at a cross-tracks, and then, when the track bends right, continue straight ahead on a footpath that leads through an avenue of beech trees. At the cross-roads of paths beyond this keep straight on.

Stage 8

Eventually the path curves through trees towards the back of the stableblock near the start of the walk. Keep left at a fork and then turn right to double back down to a bridge and return to the car park.

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