Dunfermline Glen (1.4 miles)
The Dunfermline Heritage Walk on this site suggests a stroll around Pittencrieff Park - known locally simply as the Glen. Formerly a private estate, the park was purchased by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie at the start of the 20th century and gifted to the town of his birth. This tour of the Glen takes in a few historical landmarks and a woodland river walk. Start at the main entrance gates at the bottom of the High Street and walk in a straight line towards the Andrew Carnegie statue. Look to your right for a view of the dovecot. The pathway dips down and meets another tarred surface whereupon you turn left. This brings you alongside the pavilion and Peacock Restaurant. The peafowl themselves roam free and you may be fortunate enough to spot one. They have officially been granted the freedom of Dunfermline - an honour they fully exploit by occasionally strutting through the town centre!
Take a left, following the sign for the Laird's Garden. Pittencrieff House comes into view. It formerly contained a museum which is now closed following the opening of the Carnegie Galleries in town. Proceed into the flower garden. The hothouses are open for a few hours each day. Take one of the exits at the far end and turn right, following the downhill path flanked by a green metal fence. This runs towards the bottom corner of the Glen.
Pick up the Tower Burn Woodland Walk and follow the water upstream. The path crosses the river twice. Ignore a couple of routes off to the side and stick to the burn which has a waterfall feature at one point. Look out for a stone structure on the opposite bank. An information board tells you this is the site of Wallace's Well. The Scottish freedom fighter allegedly visited this location on his way to the shrine of St Margaret. Steps are rumoured to have led to a secret chamber. The river path continues under a high double bridge and past the Japanese Garden. When you reach a stone footbridge, leave the burn by climbing a rocky staircase. This leads to the remains of Malcolm Canmore's tower which was first referenced in 1070. The unmistakable form of the abbey looms ahead. Walk towards it and leave the Glen. Turn left back towards the High Street and you are more or less back where you started.
