Dunfermline Upper Line (4.5 miles)
The Dunfermline to Stirling railway closed to passenger traffic in 1968 but coal was carried for a further 19 years until Comrie Colliery ceased production. Much of the line has now been converted to a cycle path which runs from the western edge of Dunfermline to Clackmannan. Some old infrastructure remains in the town centre and we shall explore this before heading out to the walking/cycling route in the east of Dunfermline.
The West Fife Way cycle route starts at the top of William Street. The old bridge has been removed. Walk down to Somerville Avenue and head into the parkland opposite. Bear left towards the overgrown embankment and look for a pedestrian tunnel which takes you through to the other side. The Baldridge Burn also passes beneath. The path follows the course of the water for a short distance before heading up to the road.
Should you wish to explore the top of the embankment a good access point is from the car park of the Thistle Tavern. You need only hop over a low stone dyke and climb the slope. Turn left at the end of the burn path to find this pub. The old line is quite heavily overgrown but it's still possible to push your way along it. The going is much easier in winter when the vegetation has died down.
Otherwise head down the main road (Baldridgeburn) in the other direction. Pop up Phoenix Lane for a look at the ancient footbridge over the tracks. It used to be possible to walk on to the trackbed here but a chicken-wire fence has been erected. If you have come along the embankment from the Thistle Tavern you can still get out by scaling the adjacent stone wall, provided your legs are long enough!
Back to Baldridgeburn to pick up another footpath which takes us to the foot of the embankment and on to the viaduct at Buffies Brae. Is it possible to get up on top? Maybe - but you'll have to email me for further details.
The trackbed has been lost to development at this point so we proceed past Tesco and through the retail park. This was the site of Dunfermline Upper Station which was finally demolished in 1990. Exit the shopping site at the far end and head along Leys Park Road behind the football stadium. The line has been converted to a path here and passes through the cemetery in a cutting before weaving through a new housing estate. Our walk ends at the B912 where the railway formerly crossed over and joined the present day Fife Circle Line at the site of Queen Margaret Station.
