Dunfermline Fife

Dunfermline for hundreds of years the capital of Scotland, to the North and before Edinburgh has in the confines of the Cathedral the remains of Scottish Royalty and others notably Robert The Bruce. The largely 19th century rebuild after the Reformation incorporated the ethos of The Church of Scotland and is free of the outer elements of Catholicism and other sectarian obliques, it now presents a sparse interior except for the rich stained glass windows. The remains Robert the Bruce lie within under the Pulpit.

Forth Rail Bridge to Fife

The Forth Rail Bridge looking North to Fife on a not un-typical day with a morning Haar which thankfully lifts.

Woodland flowers in North Fife

The forest pathways are punctuated with wonderful displays of wild flowers, grasses, and foliage along the way. To me these flowers are forget-me-nots, I am happy to be corrected in name but it's unlikely I will forget them.

Forest walks from North Fife

Wasp Bike, North Fife

A Queen wasp hibernates over winter and starts a new bike (nest) building the first part herself, builds the cells for the first workers. These are fed and reared, about 20 or so who then add to the bike in increasing layers until by the end of the summer the numbers are huge, males and virgin queens are grown and the cycle goes on with the queens only over-wintering. With my preference non stinging insects how we here will cope with them remains to be seen. Insects abound everywhere not least in North Fife and since these wasps have made their residence under the lintel of a front window we will see in future posts the outcome. Watch this space. zzzzzzz

Shuttlefield, Newburgh, North Fife

Similar view of Shuttlefield Newburgh, North Fife Taken today. Shuttlefield Map. Shuttlefield can be seen from this aerial view running at about 9 o'clock from the junction of 5 roads, just below is a bowling green and a war memorial. The end of Shuttlefield runs into "top park" which still retains the contours of medieval field workings.

Shuttlefield, Newburgh, North Fife

An old view of Shuttlefield, Newburgh, North Fife, Scotland.

Kilmany, North Fife

An old view of Kilmany, North Fife, Scotland.

Kirkton of Balmerino, North Fife

An old view of Kirkton of Balmerino, North Fife, Scotland.

Newburgh, North Fife, Self Catering House

In a secluded and tranquil hillside location, on the fringe of Newburgh village, Abbotshill nevertheless enjoys easy and convenient access to the motorway, rail, bus and air networks, and provides a central base from which to explore the kaleidoscopes of sights, sounds, people and places which are so unique to Scotland. Newburgh is a thriving, welcoming and friendly village, of which the residents are justifiably proud, where age old tradition and the sense of community still prevail. Believed to have been in existence for some 1,300 years, this ancient Royal Burgh received it’s Charter from Alexander III in 1266, at which time it was known as the New Burgh, beside the Abbey of Lindores. Later privileges were granted by the Abbot in 1457, and yet more by both James VI and Charles I. When built in 1843, Abbotshill was so named, since Monks’ Well, from which fresh water for the Abbey was drawn centuries before, is a mere 50 yards distant, if now inaccessible. Abbotshill House.

Newburgh North Fife

Newburgh looking West early in the morning with the sun in the East