St Ninian's Opencast (2 miles)
Almost certainly the weirdest hill climb in Fife. The St Ninian's Opencast site was supposed to become transformed into an artistic landscape after mining operations were wound up. Indeed a highly respected architect was hired to oversee the design. However, the financial collapse of Scottish Coal led to the project being dramatically scaled down and now the area has a curious feel of abandonment about it. Not many people venture in here and the place is a haven for bird life.
From the B912 between Kingseat and Kelty, look for a road leading off to Loch View Stables. The junction is very close to the Lassodie war memorial. The village of Lassodie once had 2000 residents but was demolished in the 1940s following closure of the local pit. All traces were removed when opencast mining commenced. There is a fair amount of parking room on the stables road. With your back to the B912, Walk up an overgrown tarmac surface to your right. This leads to the opencast complex. A mineral railway was constructed here in Victorian times and you can still see a substantial culvert through the gaps in the bushes to your right.
Follow the path towards the mound with the sculptures at the summit. A spiral route takes you to the top but this can be tortuous to stick to. You will notice locals have carved out paths which lead straight up. Decent views can be had across to local hills although the M90 is close by. A couple of lakes have formed, possibly very deep. A very strange place to visit, but worthwhile.
