Days Excursions

Scotland Tourist Information http://visitscotland.com/guide/ start planning your stay. Tel : 0845 22 55 121

The Falkirk Wheel : http://www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk/

Getting Around : for public transport look at www.fifedirect.org.uk or for a full travel itinerary across Fife visit : www.planajourney.co.uk .  But, train, ferry and plane times for the whole of Scotland, contact Travelline 0871 200 22 33.

Interesting places to visit:-

Aberdour
Anstruther
Burntisland
Ceres
Culross
Dunfermline
Dysart
Falkland
Kirkcaldy
Leven
North Queensferry
Pittenweem
St Monans

Action Zone ... the all new interactive adventure indoor play area (slides ball pit, ball cannon, ball dumper and much more!)  Seating and cafeteria for parents.  Open 10am to 7pm daily Friday - Saturday until 8.00pm : 01333 423690, Promenade, Leven, Fife KY8 4HZ opposite golf course.

Deep Sea World, Forthside Terrace, North Queensferry, Fife KY11 1JR : www.deepseaworld.com The giant 4.5 million litre tank is home to one of Europe's largest collections of sand tiger sharks.  The divers hand feed the sharks! 

Historic Buldings & Sites

Abbot House Heritage Centre, Maygate, Dunfermline : Tel : 01383 733266 : www.abbothouse.co.uk See and listen to the story of the city of Dunfermline, Fife and Scotland.  Have a light lunchin the cafe, browse in the shop or relax in the garden.  4 Star Historic House.  Disabled parking, disabled toilet, access to ground floor only, video displays.  Open all year : Phone for opening times.  4 Star Historic House.

Aberdour Castle, Aberdour : Tel 01383 860519 : http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_001&PropName=Aberdour%20Castle%20And%20Garden  Built by the Douglas family in the 13th century.  The interior boasts a fine painted ceiling and gallery giving an idea of how it was furnished at the time.  Delightful walled garden.  Reasonable access to ground level for wheelchairs.  Open all year round.  Closed Thursdays and Fridays. Opening times variable, best to phone.  4 Star Castle rating.

Balmerino Abbey, Balmerino : http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/balmerino/abbey/index.html Ruins of a Cistercian Monastery, founded in 1229.  Vicitors cannot enter the buildings, but can view from the grounds which contain an ancient Spanish chestnut tree - one of the oldest in the country.  Admission by Honesty Box.

Culross Palace/Study/Town House, Culross : Tel : 0844 493 2189 : http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/22/  Glimpse of Scottish domestic life of the 16thand 17th centuries among Culross's cobbled streets.  Refurbished Palace and Gardens.  Study and Towhhouse.  Exhibition, video, tea-room and shop.  4 Star Historic House.  Disabled toilet and access to exhibition and ground floor of palace.  House by guided tour only.  Tour departs Palace reception on the hour.  Phone for timings.  4 Star Historic House.

Dunfermline Abbey & Palace, St Margaret Street, Dunfermline : Tel : 01383 739026 : http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dunfermline/abbeypalace/index.html  The last resting place of many Scottish kings and queens.  The remains of the great Benedictine Abbey, founded in the 11th century by Queen Margaret, lie beneath the superb 12th century Romanesque style nave.  Access to abbey nave and church, limited access to palace and refectory.  Open all year.  Closed Thursday afternoon, all day Friday and Sunday morning.  Phone for timings.  4 Star Historic Attraction.

Falkland Palace and Garden, Falkland, by Cupar : Tel : 0844 493 2186 : http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/93/  This stunning palace has a superb history and is set in a gorgeous garden.  There are lots of special events throughout the year and it's also home to the world's oldest tennis court!  Gift shop and exhibition.  Ramp into gardens and garden wheelchair available.  Phone for timings.  4 Star History Attraction. 

Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse and Garden, by Cupar : Tel : 0844 493 2185 : http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/1/  Fine Edwardian mansion built by Sir Robert Lorimer.  Contains superb French, Scottish and Chippendale furniture and paintings by Raeburn and Ramsay.  Edwardian laundry, delightful garden, tearoom and gift shop.  Front door ramp to ground floor rooms, toilets and wheelchair available.  4 Star Historic House.

Inchcolm Abbey, Inchcolm Island : Tel 01383 823332 : http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyplan.htm?PropID=PL_155&PropName=Inchcolm%20Abbey  David I's priory here became an abbey in 1235.  Now the best preserved group of monastic buildings in Scotland and famed for its wildlife.  Daily sailings fom South Queensferry on the Maid of the Forth (0131 331 4857).  Shop, display area, all gardens and the ground floor of the Abbey are accessible.  Disabled toilets on visitor centre ground floor.  Boarding and leaving the ferry may be difficult for wheelchair users.  Open March to September.  3 Star Historic Attraction.

Kellie Castle and Garden, nr Pittenweem : Tel : 0844 493 2184 : http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/38/  A subperb, and some say haunted, 14th century castle.  There's a fabulous Victorian nursery and kitchen and a shop and a tearoom too!  All set in a beautiful walled garden.  Access to ground floor of castle and garden.  Wheelchair available.  Open March to October.  4 Star Historic House.

St Andrews Castle, The Scores, St Andrews : Tel : 01334 477196 : http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyoverview.htm?PropID=PL_248&PropName=St%20Andrews%20Castle  Once the main residence of the Bishops and Archbishops of St Andrews.  See the fascinating mine and counter-mine, rare examples of medieval siege techniques, and the bottle dungeon hollowed out of solid rock from which death was the only release.  Disabled toiled, access to visitor centre, ground floor of castle and castle gardens.  Open April to September and October to March.  Phone for timings.  4 Star Historic Attraction.

St Andrews Cathedral, The Pends, St Andrews : Tel : 01334 472563 : http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/places/propertyresults/propertyabout.htm?PropID=PL_249&PropName=St%20Andrews%20Cathedral  The remains still give a vivid impression of the scale of what was once the largest cathedral in Scotland.  Its museum houses a collection of medieval sculpture.  Climb St Rule's Tower for a magnificent view of the town.  Grounds and most of visitor centre are accessible.  St Rule's Tower not suitable for visitors with physical disabilities.  Open all year.  4 Star Historic Attraction.

St Margaret's Cave, Chalmers Street Car Park, Dunfermline : Tel : 08451 550000 : http://www.fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=8F8C0CF3-22B0-4F4B-A390CD687136B1C6  In the late 11th century St Margaret, Queen of Scotland used to pray in this cave.  It was originally on the banks of the Woer Burn, but it is now 87 steps below the car park.  Not suitable for people with physical disabilities, however a book explaining the cave and illustrations is available at the cave entrance.  Open April to September.  3 Star Visitor Attraction.

Parks, Gardens & Country Parks

Balbirnie Park : Markinch : Tel : 01592 412009 : http://www.balbirnie.co.uk/ 416 acres of attractive parkland and woodland, withonlyvely walks throughout.  Late Neolithic archaelogical site from around 2900 BC; a listed historic landscape; caravan/campingarea; craft centre; 19th century mansion (now a hotel) and an 18 hole golf course.  Open all year.

Bird Reserves : RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/ Tel : 0131 311 6500 e-mail scotland@rspb.org.ukPlan a day out bird watching.

Beveridge Park : Kirkcaldy : Tel : 01592 412690 : http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&FacId=ACD495D9-2942-423E-A89B2874D1E99F3A Victorian park with attractive gardens, recreational facilities, woodland walks and lake with ducks and geese.  Children's Play Area, Skate Park, 3 Star Visitor Attraction.  Open all year, facilities April to September.  Free entry to park.

Burntisland Links : Burntisland : http://www.fifefire.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&FacId=737ECF75-0401-451E-BABAF02F4F456554 Grassed sandy links form a natural asset to Burntisland which links the town to the coastline and the Blue Flag Award Beach.  During the summer period, from mid May to mid August it will host the well known Burntisland Summer Fair.  Burntisland Highland Games Day is hosted in July (21st July 2008) attracts thousands of visitors.  Car parking and disabled toilets, all areas on flat level, ground.  Open all year, facilities April to September.  Free entry to links.

Cambo Gardens : Plantsman's Paradise : Kingsbarns, by St Andrews : Tel : 01333 450054 www.camboestate.com Romantic "Secret Garden" created around Cambo Burn with willo, waterfall and roseclad wrought iron bridges.  All seasons plantsman's paradise.  Acres of spectacular snowdrops to glowing autumn borders.  Woodland walks to shore.  Open all year, daily, 10am - 5 pm Adult : £4.00 Children : Free.

Craigtoun Country Park : St Andrews : Tel : 01334 473666 : http://www.visit-standrews.co.uk/craigtouncountrypark.cfm Beautiful surroundings with a wide range of family facilities including boats, train putting, crazy golf, trampoline and exciting new play facilitiy.  Facilities are free after payment of entry fee.  Disabled toilets, access for disabled to cafeteria, parking for disabled.  Phone for opening times ... they vary.  3 Star Visitor Attraction.

Crail Pottery Container Garden : 75 Nethergate, Crail : Tel : 01333 451212 www.crailpottery.com A beautiful Mediterranean corner in the heart of historic Crail, this sheltered ancient yard contains a profusion of flowers, pots and fountains surrounded by gnarled fruit trees.  Open daily 10am - free admission.

Jerdan Gallery Garden : 42 Marketgate South, Crail : www.thejerdangallery.com Situated in the heart of the East Neuk in the picturesque fishing village of Crail, the Jerden Gallery features asuperb garden to the rear of the building.  The garden is also a very fine setting to display garden sculpture and furniture.  Open all year during daylight hours (except January and Tuesdays!).

Pittencrieff Park : Dunfermline : Tel : 01383 726313 : http://www.fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=3D027727-4747-4FC9-83E667386CF5D1D0 Park of outstanding quality gifted to the people of Dunfermline by Andrew Cargegie.  Offers recreational facilities for children's play greenhouses and woodland walks.  Disabled facilities within the park.  Park and Glass Houses open all year, dawn till dusk.  Free admission.

St Andrews Botanic Garden : St Andrews : Tel : 01334 476452 : http://www.st-andrews-botanic.org/ Internationally recognised Botanical Garden offering within its 7 hecatres an extensive range of rare and beautiful plants displayed under glass and in the open.  3 Star Garden.  Open daily all year around.  May - September 10am to 7pm, October - April 10am to 4pm.  Small admission charge, concessions apply.  Please telephone for full price details.

War Memorial Gardens : Abbotshall Rd/Bennochy Rd/Kirkcaldy : the Gardens provide a landscaped frontage to Kirkcaldy Museum and form part of the main pedestrial route from the railway station to the town centre.  The landscaped setting comprises a cedar avenue, fine amenity grass, spring and summer bedding, trees and shrups and a commemorative summer carpet bedding display.

Walks : Fife Coastal Path : www.fifecoastalpath.co.uk  Stretching around much of Fife's coastline from the Royal Burgh of Culross to the Tay Bridge, the path can be experienced in short bite sized walks or as a long distance route to bring your senses to life  Listen to the seabirds soaring above the waves, smell the salt sea air and savour the sea breezes.  Experience the ever changing landscapes as the path passes through  the fascinating historical sites and spectatular natural scenery.  A range of walking abilities is catered for, from the level and easy to the more challenging and the route is waymarked at appropriate points making navigation simple.  Discover Fife's best kept secret - The Elie Chainwalk.  If you have a sense of adventure and a head for heights this is definitely a wal with a difference.  Starling at Earlsferry Beach the walk consists of a series of carved steps accompanied by vertifical and horizontal chains allowing access to the cliffs, several caves and other coastal features including columnar basalt.  Finish your adventure with commanding views across the Forth.

The Singing Kettle (suitable for children 1 - 6)
http://www.singingkettle.com/visit_us.html

Scottish Church Heritage Research : Places of Worship in Fife
Central Fie Church Coastal Trail starting in Burntisland and finishing in Leven : Tel : 01334 473293

Scottish Church Heritage Research : Places of Worship in Fife
East Fife Church Coastal Trail starting in Lower Largo and finishing at Tayport : Tel : 01334 473293

Scottish Church Heritage Research : Places of Worship in Fife
West Fife Church Coastal Trail starting in Kincardine and finishing at Aberdour : Tel : 01334 473293

Safaris : Highland Adventure Safaris and Gold Panning Visitor Centre, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2JQ : Tel : 01887 820071 : Email : info@highlandadventuresafaris.co.uk Web www.highlandadventuresafaris.co.uk : Safaris can be tailored for all ages and abilities.  All you need is suitable outdoor clothing, a camera and a sense of adventure!  The safaris will provide a new insight into this awe-inspiring natural widlerness and how we can best protect its future.  Learn to drive Like a Pro! 4x4 Adventure - take the controls with a friendly experienced instructure at your side and find out what these Land Rovers can really do on our hill top driving course!  Forge your way along forest tracks, through mountain burns and up heather clad slopes.  Challenge yourself with this thrilling adventure.  Great for all levels of ability, for groups or individuals.