Thursday 11th December 2008 - Glenrothes to Ladybank via Star Moss and Kettle Hills (Take Two)

David writes - Despite the fact that I couldn't really be bothered with this one and would rather just have couched it with another couple of episodes of Band of Brothers - I was talked into it (well bribed into it really) with the promise of breakfast at McDonalds.

Parking up at my place , it's an easy 10 minutes along the flat to said fine establishment, and suitably refreshed we started off on our latest adventure. This is a fine walk up through The Kettle Hills and although you are never far from civilisation actually feels very rural.

Glenrothes, as Graham previously mentioned, is one of Scotland's five New Towns and was purpose built after the war to provide housing for workers in the many coal mines in the area. Now of course, all the pits are closed but there is still plenty of good employment to be had here - a lot of it in the electronics industry. The town is certainly designed with the car in mind, but there are a vast number of pathways winding in all directions throughout the town. Following one of the well signposted routes saw us heading east towards the old town of Markinch.
Now practically joined on to Glenrothes, Markinch was very prosperous during the first half of the 20th Century. Papermaking and whisky bottling (see picture) were major employers and Markinch is still an important agricultural centre with a thriving co-operative society.

Our route takes us through the village, under the railway and then puffing and panting up Cuinin Hill towards the small village of Star. There are fantastic views in all directions. (Note how it has also suddenly become summer as well!)

Skirting the village sees us heading up through Star Moss which is an area of protected marshland. The elevated path passes through the middle of the woodland but the marshland on either side was frozen solid. Despite our best efforts we were unable to break the ice to the point that it was all starting to get a bit silly!

On leaving Star Moss we were surprised to then come across the beautiful Taj Mahal. Most people are under the impression that is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. However, it is really just a glorified tractor shed in a corner of a field - pretty boring really.

Carrying on up the hill towards Rameldrie Mill we noticed this house, clearly recently finished but still unoccupied. It has fantastic views over the hills and fields and you can easily see Edinburgh too. Yours for a cool £475,000

Turning left at Rameldrie, we were astonished to see the launch of this rocket by Ladybank Scouts. It's so nice to see youngsters doing something productive instead of just hanging about street corners making a nuisance of themselves. Well Done Lads!

Another mile or so down the hill sees us entering the village of Kingskettle where we stop for lunch at Fast and Fresh - sitting outside like a pair of old Jakies, then the last mile to Ladybank and the 67 bus back to Glenrothes.
Another jolly good day out for the heroes - although somehow I think that more calories are being consumed than expended!