Walk of the week: Letham Glen to Lundin Links

AMID a period of wintry weather it was prudent to have a change of tack... in this case a short walk from Letham Glen to Lundin Links, and back.

The area covered had been a boyhood stamping ground for Jimbo and during the walk Joe and I were entertained by his 
nostalgic memories.

Accessed from the roundabout on the A915 at the northern end of Leven, map ref 382017, the attractive wooded glen was donated to the people of Scoonie and Leven in 1925 by the then land owner, Mr Letham. The old glen footpath, originally part of a drove road, was also used by monks to collect fish from the harbour. The glen once had an ochre mine. The area is also mapped as Siller (silver?) hole – perhaps some readers know of the name’s derivation.

To reach the hidden-at-first car park, drive under the archway then over a narrow bridge which spans the Scoonie Burn. A Tarmac, at first, drive is on the west side of the burn, but later stone bridges give access to a path on the other side if so wished. All ways, however, meet at the top of the glen, by then a small ravine. A slanting path leads south-west to a mapped track. Head north towards a farm and follow the track, curving left round farm buildings. There are a couple of confusing public footpath signs.

THE ROUTE

Turn right at a junction and cross the burn to reach the B927, known locally as Dangerfield road. Go past Blacketyside House on the left and continue in a straight line on a track. There are good views of Largo Law. Pass by an extensive growing area for strawberries and raspberries. Follow the track as it turns SSE then ENE to reach Lundin Wood. Ignoring the perimeter track, enter the wood. Look out for the sharp turning to the north where the broad grassy track (wet I suspect on many a day) crosses between two small ponds. The rhododendron-fringed track clears the wood and leads to Lundin Tower, once seat of the Lundin (or Lundy, Lundie) family. The main mansion was demolished in 1876. The tower now has an attached private residence.

Pass the tower on the southern side, though this involves a short detour by the edge of the field, to join a track. Turn right on Kilmuir Road and so to the outskirts of Lundin Links. Cross the A915 with care, go down Links Road and straight over to the site of the former Lundin Links railway station. The line, extended in 1857 from Leven to Lundin Links, and beyond, was closed in 1966. By now on the Fife Coastal Path (FCP), briefly follow the line, then turn left following the FCP signs. Take heed of the warning notice when crossing the golf course and so reach the coast.

The tide was out so we had a lovely sandy walk round Largo Bay, with the dogs frolicking in the water. Leave the beach at the small Silver Burn, map ref 398019, cross the high tide alternative FCP path and the line of wartime defence concrete blocks. Follow the burn by the Mile Dyke that marks the boundary between two golf courses.

Enter Silverburn Park, turn left and pass by cottages (not uphill) to reach a stonework fringed path that winds by the edge of the golf course. On the right is a bing. Pass by Scoonie Golf Club car park and cross the Scoonie Burn. Immediately turn right on the west bank path which is followed all the way to the pedestrian crossing on the A915.