Culross, Fife (Part 1 of 2)

The 13th century Culross Abbey (click / tap to enlarge image)

Part 1 of 2.

Update 03/10/22:

Good news: Jasper's all better, we've been back to Culross and I've now published part 2 of the walk.

Update 26/09/22:

Part 2 of the article is still in the works. I need a few additional photos for the second part but unfortunately I've not been able to get back to Culross to capture them as yet. Since posting part 1, Covid finally caught up with the wife and I and we were both laid up with it. Luckily we recovered in time for our holiday which we've just returned from. Unfortunately, Jasper has picked up some kind of foot infection so he's on antibiotics and full rest at the moment. Once he's fully recovered, we'll take a trip to Culross and I'll complete the second part. In the meantime, I'll post up some other walks. 

The Royal Burgh of Culross (pronounced Coo-Riss) is a lovely historic town in Fife that sits on the River Forth. It's one of the best preserved examples of a 17th century burgh, thanks to the work of the National Trust for Scotland over the years. You'll see their distinctive NTS plaque on many of the properties.

Culross may be a small and unassuming place but it's a very surprising one, as it contains a whole host of worthwhile places to visit. The more time you spend exploring, the more its charms are revealed. Culross is also sometimes chosen as a film and TV location; the popular TV series "Outlander" and the Marvel film "Captain America: The First Avenger" being examples.

Our walk is a 3.6 mile circular and meandering affair, that visits the popular spots but also the places that most visitors don't discover. It takes in the main town with its steep, narrow streets, some of which are cobbled, the promenade and pier, the ruins of the West Kirk above the town on one side and Culross Abbey and Abbey Mansion House, on the other. I've split the article into two parts as there is so much to cover.

You'll find public toilet facilities at the car park side of the West Green and if you're after a bite to eat or a cuppa, there are two dog friendly cafés that I'd recommend: The Biscuit Café (just off the main square, "Sandhaven") and Bessie's (same area, next to Culross Palace).

Our start location is the west car park but Culross can be busy at times and if that car park is full, you can park in the east car park instead. The walk runs through the east car park too, so you can also pick up the walk from there. Both car parks are free.

Information is current as of our last visit in September 2022. Photos are taken from various trips between 2019 and 2022. Link to car parks on Google Maps, maps of the route and GPX navigation file can be found at the end of part 2 of the article. All images can be clicked/tapped to enlarge them.

West car park (click / tap to enlarge image)

Exit the car park heading west out of Culross along the promenade

The promenade follows the old Kincardine railway. You can see the tower of Dunimarle Castle up on the right and across the water, the Grangemouth Oil Refinery.

Grangemouth Oil Refinery across the Forth

A little way further along the promenade, you will see the entrance to the 18th century Dunimarle Castle on the right hand side. It's worth a visit but dogs are not permitted. The gardens are free and you can also take a paid tour of the castle itself.

If you want to take a detour to Dunimarle Castle, go through the gap in the fence at the far end. Take care crossing the main road, then double back to the entrance to the castle grounds (as can be seen on the right of the photo).

Dunimarle Castle

Trees including giant sequoias line the avenue at Dunimarle Castle

Continuing along the promenade, we take a right to the side of the gate (signposted "The Wallace Spa", Devilla Forest and West Kirk). Take care as we approach and cross the main road here.

Cross over and take the somewhat hidden path to the left of the driveway and into the woods

Initially the path runs to the right of a rust coloured, muddy burn that you may want to keep your dogs out of!

Further on, the path passes alongside some fields on the left

The narrow path continues uphill for a short distance, before coming out above Culross

The path arrives at a T-junction. Turn right here (signposted Culross and Fife Coastal Path).

Incidentally, the left hand path leads to the "Plague Grave" where three children from the same family are buried. They died during the Great Plague of 1645. It's an interesting place but the grave is not much to look at. If you do decide to make the diversion it's a little over ½ mile each way (a bit further than the 700 yards stated on the sign). Keep an eye out for the right hand turn off the path that goes up to the graves.

Continue straight along the path towards Culross

Carry straight on where the path narrows

A short way further along the path, we come to the ruins of the 13th century West Kirk.

Tommy making sure that there aren't any restless spirits about!

Lots of very old graves here

The 18th century Dalgleish Mausoleum

Jasper taking a break

A robin sits atop an intricately carved cross

Leaving the kirk, our walk continues on along the path.

Tommy chilling out at the edge of one of the fields that we passed

View of the Forth across the fields, with Bo'ness on the opposite side of the river

Keep straight on following the signs for Culross and Culross Abbey

A short way along the path, we come to a road. Our walk now takes us along roads until we return to the promenade later, so it's back on the lead for the dogs. Head straight on down the road.

At the end of the road we reach a T junction with Kirk Street. Turn right here.

We soon reach the 13th century Culross Abbey. The church is free to visit and it's well worth having a look around inside (minus dogs of course).

Culross Abbey

Interior Culross Abbey

Sir George Bruce of Carnock memorial, Culross Abbey. Sir George Bruce was a prominent merchant / ship owner / engineer and brother of Edward Bruce, 1st Lord Kinloss. He also built Culross Palace.

Walk through the church graveyard and out at the far end down to the 17th century Abbey Mansion House. This grand house was built by Edward Bruce, 1st Lord Kinloss.

Abbey Mansion House

Retrace your footsteps through the graveyard and back to the road. Turn left and continue down the hill on Kirk Street. You'll pass the ruins of the 13th century abbey monastery on the left but it's closed at present pending structural work.

Further down the hill you'll come to a right hand turn "Erskine Brae". Take a brief diversion here to take a look at the "Lockit Well" in the wall, historical water supply to Culross.

The Lockit Well

Return to Kirk Street and continue down the hill on Tanhouse Brae.

Our walk will continue in part 2 which will be published soon!

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