Old Limekiln, Lomond Hills

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This short walk is a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours

The Lomond Hills Regional Park in the Fife Region of Scotland is a wonderful outdoor resource, easily accessed and free for anyone to visit Link It counts many places of historical interest within its boundaries and this article will visit one of the easiest to reach - a (now disused but well-preserved) limekiln LinkExternal link It can be found just off the track leading from the car park at Purin Hill (also known as 'East Lomond Mast Car Park') around the side of East Lomond to Craigmead car park LinkExternal link The complete trail can be followed in either direction and could include an ascent of East Lomond (448m and locally known as 'Falkland Hill' after the village which lies at its foot) but this article describes a simple out-and-back walk from the car park covering a total distance of approximately two kilometres (1.25 miles). The going is good on an obvious grassy path which is flat most of the way with only a couple of short sections of moderate incline. The fenced-off area of the limekiln includes a pond and several information boards describing the history of the limekiln. There is a grassy path as well as wooden steps and duckboards across the difficult and boggy sections so access is, overall, quite easy but those with mobility problems would need to take great care.

This limekiln is the only one within the park but elsewhere in the park can be found the remains of several quarries which supplied the kiln with limestone - in bygone days this was a busy industrial landscape. During this walk the views to the south over the Fife countryside are quite impressive with Glenrothes and other towns in view. A fair bit of the Fife coast is visible as well as much of the Forth Estuary making this a very pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon - take your camera!

There is a video of this location on YouTube LinkExternal link

NO2505 : Path to the limekiln by Bill Kasman
The path to the old limekiln starts from the car park at Purin Hill.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2405 : Path to limekiln by Bill Kasman
The path from Purin Hill car park proceeds towards the limekilns. The hill is West Lomond (522m), the highest point in Fife Region.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2405 : Path to limekiln by Bill Kasman
The path from Purin Hill car park proceeds towards the limekiln. The trees ahead look like they are connected to form an arch but it's an illusion caused by the angle the image is taken from - they are in fact three separate trees which don't meet at all.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
From the path from Purin Hill car park the limekiln comes into view.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2306 : Gate to limekiln by Bill Kasman
The area of the limekiln is fenced-off to keep out curious sheep and cattle.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
A grassy path leads towards the limekiln. It passes several information boards giving details of the history of the limekiln.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
The path guides visitors around the limekiln. The steps are handy!
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
These wooden steps, as well as several sections of duckboards over boggy areas, give visitors safe passage around the limekiln.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
These duckboards, as well as several sections of wooden steps over boggy areas, give visitors safe passage around the limekiln.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : Information board at the limekiln by Bill Kasman
This is one of several information boards around the limekiln, These boards have a chequered history. Originally they were made from metal but they were constantly being ripped off their mounts and stolen for scrap! After replacing some boards several times the park authority finally wised up and the latest versions are plastic with no scrap value. Sadly, they are still occasionally vandalised.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : Information board at the limekiln by Bill Kasman
This is one of several information boards around the limekiln, These boards have a chequered history. Originally they were made from metal but they were constantly being ripped off their mounts and stolen for scrap! After replacing some boards several times the park authority finally wised up and the latest versions are plastic with no scrap value. Sadly, they are still occasionally vandalised.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : Information board at the limekiln by Bill Kasman
This is one of several information boards around the limekiln, These boards have a chequered history. Originally they were made from metal but they were constantly being ripped off their mounts and stolen for scrap! After replacing some boards several times the park authority finally wised up and the latest versions are plastic with no scrap value. Sadly, they are still occasionally vandalised.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : Information board at the limekiln by Bill Kasman
This is one of several information boards around the limekiln, These boards have a chequered history. Originally they were made from metal but they were constantly being ripped off their mounts and stolen for scrap! After replacing some boards several times the park authority finally wised up and the latest versions are plastic with no scrap value. Sadly, they are still occasionally vandalised.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
The hill is West Lomond (522m). Part of the pond is visible.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : Pond at the limekiln by Bill Kasman
One of the information boards gives details of local wildlife (allegedly) found here but, despite many visits over the years, I have never seen anything interesting in this pond - no sign of fish, very little insect life, no frogspawn, waterfowl don't seem to visit and I have never seen any nesting birds but it does have the distinction of being the place where I have seen no less than seven kestrels in the air at the same time!
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
The hill is East Lomond (448m).
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
With one of the information boards.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
This fence is intended to block access to the top of the limekiln although it's not much of an obstacle!
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : Information board at the limekiln by Bill Kasman
The hill is West Lomond (522m).
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman


NO2305 : The limekiln by Bill Kasman
One of the information boards. The rubble plinth for all of the boards at the limekiln is constructed from local stone.
See limekiln article Link
by Bill Kasman



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