Route
At some points on the route
close adult supervision is strongly recommended. The route can be shortened;
depending on ability, time, weather, etc.
Distance
29 km or 18 miles.
Directions
From Tourist Information
Centre: A977 into Kinross, right at mini-roundabout and third left signposted
Kirkgate Park and Lochleven Castle.
Parking
Kirkgate Park, beside Loch
Leven.
Hazards
A91 at Carnbo, it may be
prudent to cycle on the footpath – give way to pedestrians.
Exercise caution crossing
the A977 – fast road traffic.
The Start
Cycle out of the park following
the way you came in, turn right onto the B996 opposite Kinross town hall.
The building on the right,
where the computer shop is, was at one time the town jail and county house.
It was refurbished in 1771, by Sir Robert Adam, a member of a family of
outstanding architects. To the right is traditional lamp (or status symbol)
still hanging outside the house of the last provost of the old burgh of
Kinross.
Local hero
Turn right into the High
Street, straight on at the mini-roundabout and carry on to Milnathort
(a).
On the left situated in an
ornamental garden is the Milnathort war memorial, which carries the name
of a local hero: Flight Sergeant George Thomson who was awarded a posthumous
Victoria Cross for his efforts in saving the lives of two of his fellow
aircrew. After his Lancaster has hit and set on fire and regardless of
his own safety F. Sgt. Tomson rescued two unconscious air gunners and
extinguished their blazing clothing with his bare hands. Flt. Sgt. Thomson,
died of his injuries three weeks later.
Straight over at the mini-roundabout
and up North Street, passing Milnathort town hall on the right. Orwell
Parish Church at the top of the hill marks the top of the climb, cross
over the motorway and turn left for Tillyrie.
The old man...
From this road one can get
good views of Kinross, Milnathort and much of the surrounding countryside.Towards
the south the skyline is dominated by Benarty hill, whose profile is said
to resemble a sleeping giant known locally as “the Old Man of Benarty.”
(b) Straight on at the next
cross roads, a mile or so farther on the road makes a sharp left hand
turn. After crossing the river, just after the bridge, and on the right
is a brick column with a rebate in the top, this was part of the local
defences for RAF Balado Bridge during WWII. (c) turn right, a gentle hill
climb follows before descending to a T-junction, turn left and continue
to the A91.
(d) At the next junction
turn right onto the A91 Stirling - St. Andrews Road. Traffic can be “fast”
at times on this road an alternative would be to use the pavement –
giving way to pedestrians. A slight descent down to the village of Carnbo.
On the other side of the village, turn left signposted for Gelvan another
hill, with a short climb followed by a quick descent to the A977 Kincardine
- Kinross road (e). Exercise caution – this road is not cyclist friendly.
Tullibole Church
After crossing the A977,
between the first and second bends are the remains of Tullibole Church.
Tullibole is believed to be one of the oldest parishes in Scotland being
in existence before 1574. The church was abandoned in 1729, amalgamating
with the nearby Fossoway parish. In the churchyard there are some fine
examples of head stones dating back to the 1600s. A fenced off monument,
commemorates Sir James Wellwood Moncreiff, a noted lawyer and first Lord
Moncreiff of Tullibole. The family home of Tullibole Castle is on the
right amongst the trees.
Follow the road, past the
chicken farm and down to the junction with the B9097 road, turn left and
carry on past the Z-bend.
Coldrain
Turn left, (f) signposted
Coldrain, the road climbs gently ending at a T-junction. Turn right and
continue down hill to the crossroads, (g) cross the B9097 and head for
Cleish. A short steep climb up to a T-junction, turn left and head to
Cleish.
Cleish cross.
On the eastern wall of the
churchyard is a fragment of a 14th. Century stone cross while on the opposite
wall is a stone plaque with the curious inscription “All to the south
of this belongs to Cleish Mill.” The pair of lamps at the entrance
to the church were "switched on" by the then MP for Kinross
and later Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Hume.
Continue through Cleish and
turn left onto the B9097 (h), (Cleish Mill is opposite this junction.)
Cross the small bridge over the Gairney and go straight on at the junction
towards Kinross.
Kingdom Cycle Route
This part of the route follows
the Kingdom Cycle Way into Kinross. The road has a climbs slightly –
then it's downhill to Kinross, passing under the M90 motorway to join
the B996 “Great North Road." (j) The point marked (i) on the
map is a small tourist information board at Gairneybridge Farm.
Great North Road
The Great North Road was
the main road north from the Edinburgh by way of The Queensferry to Perth
until mid 1970s when the M90 motorway was built.
Turn left, up and over the
railway bridge and back into Kinross. Turning right after the car showroom
into Sandgate (this avoids a difficult right turn at the Town Hall.) First
right will lead to the harbour (a footpath links the harbour to Kirkgate
Park) and third right will lead back along the road to the starting point.
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