The Lomond Hills Regional Park includes Fife's most extensive upland wild area. A wide-ranging path network enables access to communities and countryside rich in historical and natural interest.

The Lomond Hills have attracted people for thousands of years. At 522 metres, West Lomond is the highest point in Fife. East Lomond (also known as 'Falkland Hill') is 434 metres high. Both are wonderful viewpoints, and on a good day offer glimpses of the Highlands and the Borders.

The park contains 25 square miles of moorland, lochs, forestry and farmland and has always been a popular area for outdoor recreation. Importantly, it is also working countryside, mostly privately owned. So please act responsibly and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when enjoying the hills.

Fife Coast & Countryside Trust Rangers, land managers, council staff and volunteers work together to maintain paths and help visitiors to make the most of this unique place. If you need specific help or have questions about a particular area, please contact one of the Rangers directly, see Fife Coast & Countryside Trust Ranger contact list. 

Newsletter

The Lomond Hill Regional Park Partnership produces an informative newsletter to keep local communities up to date with activities. You can download recent newsletters by clicking the relevant links below.

Getting there

Travelling by car is probably the easiest way to navigate the park but if you're planning to travel to or in the Park using public transport Traveline can help. Car-parks are available throughout, but the most commonly used car-parks in the Howe are

• Craigmead which lies between the two hills at around 300m. Access from Falkland by following the signs through the village for Leslie.
• The East Lomond picnic area (accessed from the A912 Falkland to Glenrothes road).

Walking in the Lomonds

There is an extensive network of paths in the Lomonds suitable for a wide range of abilities. Some, such as the top section of the Criagmead to Maspie Den, offer access to buggies and wheelchairs, whilst others e.g. West Lomond Summit, are more suited to strong footwear and warm clothing! Interpretative maps and guides are available  from the Rangers and at car-parking areas, or download leaflets by clicking the brochure links below.

Accessing the Lomonds leaflet
Exploring the Lomonds leaflet

Both leaflets have detailed maps of Lomond Hills paths.

Things to see in the Lomonds

• A Bronze Age cairn (depart from the East Lomond picnic area)
• The West Lomond Fort (known as ‘Maiden Castle') reached from Craigmead car park
• The ‘Bunnet Stane', 20mins walk from the foot of West Lomond (access from the lay-by on the Dryside Road, behind Gateside), said to cover the remains of a Pictish Chieftain and may have sheltered a hermit
• The ‘Maiden Bower' (at the foot of West Lomond), a lovers trysting place long thought to be the tombstone of a jilted local girl
• East Lomond Limekiln, a restored 18th century limekiln (depart from the East Lomond car-park and head south)
• Stunning views of the Forth, the Howe, even the Cairngorms on a good day!

Wildlife

The park's heather moorland supports much invertebrate life, especially bees, Emperor moths and caterpillars. Red grouse, roe deer, foxes, chaffinches, wood pigeons and newts are commonplace as well, so the chances are you will see something interesting.

Other Regional Park Activity

Besides walking, East Lomond is often used by paragliders on windy days. The Falkland Hill Race is held annually and begins at the fountain in the centre of Falkland village. And the wooded northern slopes of East Lomond boast a series of downhill mountainbike tracks. Ballo reservoir is home to Ballo Fishery which offers year round bank and boat (fly only) fishing for rainbow, blues and brown trout.

Lochore Meadows Country Park lies in the heart of the Lomond Hills Regional Park West. Although not strictly in the Howe of Fife, it is a major centre for outdoor and environmental education in Fife. It's open all year, with plenty of opportunities for interesting walks, a wheelchair-accessible birdwatching hide, car parking, a cafe, toilets, conference facilities, First Aid and baby changing room. You may book rooms for private meetings.

Other useful links

Fife Coast & Countryside Trust Ranger Service
Natural Connections
Outdoor Education
Fife Coast & Countryside Trust