Fife Guide cont ...
Kirkcaldy area
Kirkcaldy is the birthplace of Adam Smith, founding father of modern economics. I like Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery, it's small but interesting. It is a collection of paintings by the Scottish Colourists and a local history exhibition. Beveridge Park has lovely gardens and boating pond.
Dysart lies to the north of Kirkcaldy. "Sea Beams" by Donald Urquhart, is a new installation at the sea front, with 9 vertical oak beams painted to reflect the varying colours of the sea, part of the Dysart Artworks Initiative. The white houses of Pan Ha' date back to the 16th century but were restored by the National Trust in the 1960s. The Tolbooth at Dysart Crosss was built in 1576 but unfortunately is now surrounded by rather dismal blocks of flats.
Just south of Kirkcaldy are the smaller coastal towns of Kinghorn and Burntisland. Just outside Kinghorn is the statue is memory of King Alexander 111 of Scotland, who fell to his death when his horse slipped on the rocks. Alexander was rushing to his bride, Yolande at Kinghorn Castle. It's said the ghost of Yolande scours the area searching for her lost love. Burntisland was granted status as a royal burgh since 1541 due to the importance of its harbour. You can climb up the Bin Hill just behind the town for some great views.
Falkland
Falkland is a charming village which lies at the foot of East Lomond, one of the three Lomond hills. The village is packed with history and it was named a Royal Burgh by James 11 in 1458. Falkland Palace was built on the site of Falkland Castle in the 15th century. I love the setting of the palace with the contrast of the formal gardens against the back drop of the hill. The Royal Tennis Court built in 1539 for James V, is the oldest tennis court in the UK. It's real tennis that played here with a more complex scoring system than the current game. The score lines are adorned with paintings of crowns. Mary, Queen of Scots, is said to have created a great stir when she abandoned her stiff skirt to don breeches to play here. The court is still used by a local club. The whole village is pretty with restored "Little Houses" used as residences or business premises. There are a couple of good tearooms, Kynd Kittocks and the Hayloft.
I would recommend that you go up East Lomond. Hill It only takes about an hour to ascend and descent as there is a car park with picnic benches and toilets half way up. There' s a good path to the summit and the panoramic views over the Forth Estuary are great. You'll see a brown sign for the car park at the roadside on the A912 just east of Falkland.\
Continued - Cere, St Andrews ...