The final day of this trip and a glorious morning to cross the Forth Road Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife, with a spectacular view of the Queensferry Crossing.
The only permitted vehicles on the bridge are buses, taxis and tractors, so I climb over the central barriers to take photographs from both sides. North Queensferry lies in the shadow of the Forth Bridge.
I pick up the 116-mile Fife Coastal Path at North Queensferry. A poor border collie is too scared to pass under the rail bridge and dashes back down the path — five weeks since it was spooked by a train passing overhead.
The trail climbs through pretty woodland, overlooking the lonely remains of Carlingnose Pier, once used by the War Department for handling mines defending the Forth Bridge and now a bird sanctuary.
Children play on the beautiful beach at Port Laing.
The approach to Inverkeithing is a little less scenic.
Grabbing a quick coffee at a cafe, the owner tells me that the Queensferry Crossing is sometimes closed in winter due to icicles falling off the support cables and hitting cars underneath.
A brave wild swimmer prepares for a freezing dip in Prestonhill Quarry.
There are hidden gems in the middle of a residential area at Donbristle Bay.
Perhaps best not to linger in Dalgety Bay. Radioactive material was first detected in 1990, originating from the residue of radium-coated instrument panels from military aircraft incinerated and land-filled in the area at the end of World War II. Although the remediation work was recently completed, ongoing monitoring continues.
The ruins of St. Bridget’s Kirk are more tempting.
The stairs to the upper level are still intact.
Bookshops can be found in the woods at St Colme House.
Aberdour is a lovely village to end the day, although the castle must wait until my return. At the railway station, there’s a flash of motion on the opposite platform as a stoat or weasel dashes along, into the shelter and out the other side into the bushes. Hopefully, a taste of things to come as I head further north and west.
Walk distance: 12 miles.
Total distance: 3,861 miles.
The Fife Coastal Path is on my list.
I’m heading back up tomorrow to complete it, so I can give you a full report, but the start was lovely and varied.
I also like the Fife Coastal Path. We’ve done quite a lot in day trips or when in Fife for short breaks, but still have gaps. The bits round the East Neuk are my favourites, and we’ve done most of those several times.
I look forward to it. Hopefully, no storms this time! I have a friend hiking with me for a few days too which will be nice.