Markinch to Ceres

Markinch to Ceres – Route Information

As you join the Markinch to Ceres section of the Fife Pilgrim Way, be aware that beyond Markinch the path can be a little  less distinct as it crosses open countryside, particularly between Dalginch and Balcurvie Muir. The Fife Pilgrim Way skirts around Windygates, before passing through Kennoway and on to Bonnybank before climbing the hill to Devon Wood and up Clatto Hill. The path then passes the eastern end of the Clatto Reservoir, which is a particularly beautiful section of the route.  At this point there are just 4 miles left until you arrive in Ceres, which is a charming village with cafes, Fife Folk Museum, Wemyss Ware pottery and accommodation providers. Visit the services and attractions section of our website to find out about businesses along the Fife Pilgrim Way.

The next and final section of the Fife Pilgrim way is Ceres to St Andrews. Our Fife Pilgrim Way map and Guide Book make excellent companions to your long-distance walk and can be purchased in our online shop. And the newly published Story of Fife Pilgrim Kingdom is an essential read before you embark on this long-distance trail.

Ceres – The night afore

One of the most unspoilt sections of this historic route, the path to Ceres offers a treat for the senses. Enjoy breath-taking views and a spot of wildlife-watching while following in the footsteps of countless pilgrims over the Waterless Way.

The Waterless Way and the Coal Road have guided travellers to and from Ceres for centuries. For Medieval pilgrims, Ceres was the last overnight stop before St Andrews. Having journeyed on foot across miles of boggy, uneven ground, on constant high alert for robbers or worse, it is worth taking a moment to imagine how the weary travellers may have felt at this point.

The current parish church was built in the 1500s on the site of an earlier church, where the pilgrims may have offered prayers or received a blessing for their onward journey. As morning broke, the pilgrims would have regrouped and begun the final leg of their journey, straining their eyes for that first glimpse of the tall spires and towers of St Andrews.