Riverside Park to Leslie

 

Well, this was a surprise! Not the walk that was advertised, was it?

There were a few attempts at recces over the last couple of weeks, settling on this lovely walk from Riverside Park, Glenrothes to Leslie and return. 3.8 miles.

There were a few call-offs for various reasons, but we still had eight walkers set off from church at 1245 in three cars.

At the park, we were lucky to get spaces as the car park was choc a bloc. I was fine though as I have a parking fairy.

We admired the layout of the park and the wonderful play area for kids – the best in Fife according to grandchildren. The Fife Presbytery Funday/picnic was held here a couple of weeks ago.

The first photo of the day was Janis with Dianne on a stone Hippo. Compare and contrast 2026 to 2019

2026

2019

These hippos were created in the early 70s by Stanley Bonnar, father of actor Mark Bonnar. He was asked to design playful pieces of concrete art to be scattered throughout the streets and parks of Glenrothes. People love them! They’ve become a bit of a mascot for Glenrothes.

Further on, you can’t help commenting on and taking photos of the white bridge, an amazing iconic feat of engineering.  Built in 1995, it carries traffic from north Glenrothes over the River Leven to the Macedonia/ Caskieberran areas of the town and the main road to the town centre.

So we walked beneath the bridge and crossed over into a woodland walk with the river down to our right. And there we wandered and chatted, enjoying the very first signs of autumn appearing.

One of two mistaken deviations from the route later, we found the right part of the walk where the river was now down to our left and emerged at this bridge.

It’s a fair wee incline to reach another even prettier woodland walk which almost camouflaged a long but well-constructed stairway taking us right up to the busy A911 Glenrothes to Leslie main road, and we headed for Leslie.

This weekend is Central Fife’s Open Doors Day. On the green just as we arrived in the town, there was an archaeological dig going on – not sure what the connection was with Open Doors Day, but it was popular in 2025 so they repeated it this year. Several folk wandering around with trowels and brushes???

We had a different plan. The Town House in the High Street was to be our ‘place of interest’ today.  We had a really lovely welcome from a volunteer and there were scones, butter and jam, coffee and tea ready for our arrival, supplied by Susan’s Kitchen who usually trades from Leslie Golf Club. Some of us had visited the Town House before to watch plays or see music artists, but today we were actually treated to a tour of the building by volunteers. This was very interesting, seeing the dressing rooms, the stage, the scenery, sound and vision equipment ( bamboozling) and upstairs in the gallery which the owners plan to refurbish. Again, the sound and lighting desks at the topmost point in the theatre were fascinating. Downstairs again, the walls were decorated with local artists’ paintings and photos of plays and players over the last 100 years. Leslie Amateur Dramatic Society has been using this building since 1904 – an impressive history. We spoke with Diane and Mark White, the current owners of the building.  They also act themselves and stage manage the productions. The whole building has been freshly painted throughout by volunteers. Community events take place here and a successful Christmas Fair in 2025. As we left the building we all said how much we enjoyed the visit. The walkers were interested to discover that the Vicar of Dibley 2 will be performed near Christmas. I think there might be a few ticket sales secured after today’s successful visit to the theatre.

Across the road there are two well-worn but impressive pillars beyond which a charming winding drive took us right down to the former Leslie House, a Church of Scotland Eventide Home before a great fire almost rendered it derelict in 2009. It was originally built for the Earls of Rothes in 17^th Century. Currently a company, Byzantian Developments, is renovating the mansion and building stunning apartments in the spectacular grounds. They will have a much sought -after postcode in the next couple of years.

Returning into natural woodland, we admired the variety of trees in the park, the rolling grassland and the floral displays. And we praised the town planners back in mid 20^th century for their vision. Just before crossing the main road back to the car park, we stopped at an enormous horse chestnut tree, hanging heavy with green conkers. In a few weeks from now, this is the perfect place for the local kids to come searching for the biggest, shiniest specimens.

All together at the cars again, we said our usual prayer. One of us felt prickles on her neck as we said it. I thought that was a nice feeling to have.

                                            Another good one chalked up.