← Back✦ Historic site

Kirkcaldy District Joint Infectious Diseases Hospital

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal

Dogs welcome

Getting here

56.16157, -3.19414

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

5 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Mute Swan, Mallard, Goldfinch +61 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Mute Swan, Mallard, Goldfinch +61 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Soft-rush, Toad Rush, Jointed Rush +87 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Soft-rush, Toad Rush, Jointed Rush +87 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Punctate Corixa, Great Diving Beetle, Pondskater +2 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Punctate Corixa, Great Diving Beetle, Pondskater +2 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Braes Loan Circular Historical TrailWalking route

Named route

Fife Pilgrim WayWalking route

Culross or North Queensferry to St Andrews

Named routePoint-to-pointRegional walking route

Fife Coastal PathWalking route190 km

Named routeRef FCPLength 190 kmPoint-to-pointNational walking route

🚴

Cycling

44 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

NCN National Route 766Cycling route

Named routeRef 766National Cycle Network

Kingdom Cycle RouteCycling route

Named routeRound tripRegional cycle route

Main RouteCycling route135 m

Named routeRef 766Length 135 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route244 m

Named routeRef 766Length 244 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route60 m

Named routeRef 766Length 60 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route1.2 km

Named routeRef 766Length 1.2 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

398 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

398 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds66 species

springsummer

2025

Mute Swan · Buzzard · Mallard · Goldfinch · Coot +61

Mute SwanCygnus olor
BuzzardButeo buteo
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
CootFulica atra
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
MagpiePica pica
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
BlackbirdTurdus merula
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2024
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
RobinErithacus rubecula
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2024
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2024
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2024
Great TitParus major
DunnockPrunella modularis
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Herring GullLarus argentatus2024
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2024
RookCorvus frugilegus2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2016
GreenfinchChloris chloris2012
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2024
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
JackdawColoeus monedula
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
SwiftApus apus2018
LinnetLinaria cannabina2016
WhitethroatCurruca communis2016
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2016
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
NuthatchSitta europaea2024
WigeonMareca penelope2024
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2024
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2024
Barn OwlTyto alba2022
Tree SparrowPasser montanus2016
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe2013
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix2013
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2013
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2012
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2012
White StorkCiconia ciconia2011
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2010
Greylag GooseAnser anser2010
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2010
Rock DoveColumba livia2010

🦌

Mammals11 species

spring

2025

Grey Squirrel · Brown Hare · Red Squirrel · Hedgehog · Rabbit +6

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
Brown HareLepus europaeus
Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2024
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2010
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2014
OtterLutra lutra2010
American MinkNeovison vison2010
Field VoleMicrotus agrestis2010
Water VoleArvicola amphibius2010
Rat spp.Rattus2010

🐸

Amphibians1 species

summer

2012

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects5 species

autumn

2025

Punctate Corixa · Great Diving Beetle · Pondskater · Kidney-spot Ladybird · Green-veined White

Punctate CorixaCorixa punctata2012
Great Diving BeetleDytiscus marginalis2012
PondskaterGerridae2012
Kidney-spot LadybirdChilocorus renipustulatus
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2015

🌿

Plants91 species

summer

2025

Soft-rush · Toad Rush · Jointed Rush · Reed Sweet-grass · Common Reed +86

Soft-rushJuncus effusus2012
Toad RushJuncus bufonius2012
Jointed RushJuncus articulatus2012
Reed Sweet-grassGlyceria maxima2012
Common ReedPhragmites australis2012
ColtsfootTussilago farfara2012
Yellow IrisIris pseudacorus2012
Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla2011
Petty SpurgeEuphorbia peplus
Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum
Garden LobeliaLobelia erinus
Musk-mallowMalva moschata
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis
Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. argentatumLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. argentatum2019
Marsh WillowherbEpilobium palustre2012
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga2012
FoxtailAlopecurus2012
Common BistortBistorta officinalis2012
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2011
Swartz's Feather-mossOxyrrhynchium hians2011
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. polymorphaMarchantia polymorpha subsp. polymorpha2011
RedshankCeratodon purpureus2011
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum2011
Heath Star MossCampylopus introflexus2011
Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme2011
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens2011
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea2011
Clay Earth-mossArchidium alternifolium2011
Elegant Silk-mossPseudotaxiphyllum elegans2011
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum2011
Common Tamarisk-mossThuidium tamariscinum2011
Kneiff's Hook-mossDrepanocladus aduncus2011
Fringed Bog-mossSphagnum fimbriatum2011
Forked VeilwortMetzgeria furcata2011
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus2011
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus2011
Common PincushionDicranoweisia cirrata2011
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis2011
Neat Feather-mossPseudoscleropodium purum2011
Jagged GermanderwortRiccardia chamedryfolia2011
Glittering Wood-mossHylocomium splendens2011
Bank HaircapPolytrichum formosum2011
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum2011
Lesser Potato BryumBryum subapiculatum2011
Common Striated Feather-mossEurhynchium striatum2011
Elegant Bristle-mossOrthotrichum pulchellum2011
Common ThreadwortCephaloziella divaricata2011
Juniper HaircapPolytrichum juniperinum2011
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata2011
Heath Plait-mossHypnum jutlandicum2011
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata2011
Sickle-leaved Hook-mossSanionia uncinata2011
White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum2011
Common Pocket-mossFissidens taxifolius2011
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare2011
Waved Silk-mossPlagiothecium undulatum2011
Intermediate Hook-mossScorpidium cossonii2011
Lesser GermanderwortRiccardia incurvata2011
Atrichum undulatumAtrichum undulatum2011
GreasewortAneura pinguis2011
Common PottiaTortula truncata2011
Variable Forklet-mossDicranella varia2011
Schreberian Earth-mossTortula acaulon var. acaulon2011
Pale Thread-mossBryum pallens2011
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum2011
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum2011
Marsh BryumBryum pseudotriquetrum2011
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum2011
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum2011
Flat-topped Bog-mossSphagnum fallax2011
Isothecium myosuroidesIsothecium myosuroides2011
Endive PelliaPellia endiviifolia2011
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans2011
Cylindric DitrichumTrichodon cylindricus2011
Common Cord-mossFunaria hygrometrica2011
Bruch's PincushionUlota bruchii2011
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum2011
Overleaf PelliaPellia epiphylla2011
Bog Groove-mossAulacomnium palustre2011
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata2011
Silver-mossBryum argenteum2011
Bluish-leaved HawkweedHieracium salticola2011
Common HawkweedHieracium triviale2011
Pohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergiiPohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergii2011
Nodding Thread-mossPohlia nutans2011
Crimson-tuber Thread-mossBryum rubens2011
Fountain Apple-mossPhilonotis fontana2011
Bristly HaircapPolytrichum piliferum2011
Spiky Bog-mossSphagnum squarrosum2011
River Feather-mossBrachythecium rivulare2011
Olive Beard-mossDidymodon tophaceus2011

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

398 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds66 species

springsummer

2025

Mute Swan · Buzzard · Mallard · Goldfinch · Coot +61

Mute SwanCygnus olor
BuzzardButeo buteo
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
CootFulica atra
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
MagpiePica pica
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
BlackbirdTurdus merula
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2024
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
RobinErithacus rubecula
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2024
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2024
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2024
Great TitParus major
DunnockPrunella modularis
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Herring GullLarus argentatus2024
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2024
RookCorvus frugilegus2024
Coal TitPeriparus ater2024
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2016
GreenfinchChloris chloris2012
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2024
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
JackdawColoeus monedula
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
JayGarrulus glandarius2024
SwiftApus apus2018
LinnetLinaria cannabina2016
WhitethroatCurruca communis2016
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2016
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
NuthatchSitta europaea2024
WigeonMareca penelope2024
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2024
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2024
Barn OwlTyto alba2022
Tree SparrowPasser montanus2016
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe2013
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix2013
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2013
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2012
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2012
White StorkCiconia ciconia2011
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2010
Greylag GooseAnser anser2010
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2010
Rock DoveColumba livia2010

🦌

Mammals11 species

spring

2025

Grey Squirrel · Brown Hare · Red Squirrel · Hedgehog · Rabbit +6

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
Brown HareLepus europaeus
Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2024
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2010
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2014
OtterLutra lutra2010
American MinkNeovison vison2010
Field VoleMicrotus agrestis2010
Water VoleArvicola amphibius2010
Rat spp.Rattus2010

🐸

Amphibians1 species

summer

2012

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects5 species

autumn

2025

Punctate Corixa · Great Diving Beetle · Pondskater · Kidney-spot Ladybird · Green-veined White

Punctate CorixaCorixa punctata2012
Great Diving BeetleDytiscus marginalis2012
PondskaterGerridae2012
Kidney-spot LadybirdChilocorus renipustulatus
Green-veined WhitePieris napi2015

🌿

Plants91 species

summer

2025

Soft-rush · Toad Rush · Jointed Rush · Reed Sweet-grass · Common Reed +86

Soft-rushJuncus effusus2012
Toad RushJuncus bufonius2012
Jointed RushJuncus articulatus2012
Reed Sweet-grassGlyceria maxima2012
Common ReedPhragmites australis2012
ColtsfootTussilago farfara2012
Yellow IrisIris pseudacorus2012
Lateral CryphaeaCryphaea heteromalla2011
Petty SpurgeEuphorbia peplus
Horse-chestnutAesculus hippocastanum
Garden LobeliaLobelia erinus
Musk-mallowMalva moschata
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis
Lamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. argentatumLamiastrum galeobdolon subsp. argentatum2019
Marsh WillowherbEpilobium palustre2012
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga2012
FoxtailAlopecurus2012
Common BistortBistorta officinalis2012
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga2011
Swartz's Feather-mossOxyrrhynchium hians2011
Marchantia polymorpha subsp. polymorphaMarchantia polymorpha subsp. polymorpha2011
RedshankCeratodon purpureus2011
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum2011
Heath Star MossCampylopus introflexus2011
Hypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiformeHypnum cupressiforme var. cupressiforme2011
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens2011
Blueish VeilwortMetzgeria violacea2011
Clay Earth-mossArchidium alternifolium2011
Elegant Silk-mossPseudotaxiphyllum elegans2011
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum2011
Common Tamarisk-mossThuidium tamariscinum2011
Kneiff's Hook-mossDrepanocladus aduncus2011
Fringed Bog-mossSphagnum fimbriatum2011
Forked VeilwortMetzgeria furcata2011
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus2011
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus2011
Common PincushionDicranoweisia cirrata2011
Wood Bristle-mossLewinskya affinis2011
Neat Feather-mossPseudoscleropodium purum2011
Jagged GermanderwortRiccardia chamedryfolia2011
Glittering Wood-mossHylocomium splendens2011
Bank HaircapPolytrichum formosum2011
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum2011
Lesser Potato BryumBryum subapiculatum2011
Common Striated Feather-mossEurhynchium striatum2011
Elegant Bristle-mossOrthotrichum pulchellum2011
Common ThreadwortCephaloziella divaricata2011
Juniper HaircapPolytrichum juniperinum2011
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata2011
Heath Plait-mossHypnum jutlandicum2011
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata2011
Sickle-leaved Hook-mossSanionia uncinata2011
White-tipped Bristle-mossOrthotrichum diaphanum2011
Common Pocket-mossFissidens taxifolius2011
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare2011
Waved Silk-mossPlagiothecium undulatum2011
Intermediate Hook-mossScorpidium cossonii2011
Lesser GermanderwortRiccardia incurvata2011
Atrichum undulatumAtrichum undulatum2011
GreasewortAneura pinguis2011
Common PottiaTortula truncata2011
Variable Forklet-mossDicranella varia2011
Schreberian Earth-mossTortula acaulon var. acaulon2011
Pale Thread-mossBryum pallens2011
Clustered Feather-mossRhynchostegium confertum2011
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum2011
Marsh BryumBryum pseudotriquetrum2011
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum2011
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum2011
Flat-topped Bog-mossSphagnum fallax2011
Isothecium myosuroidesIsothecium myosuroides2011
Endive PelliaPellia endiviifolia2011
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans2011
Cylindric DitrichumTrichodon cylindricus2011
Common Cord-mossFunaria hygrometrica2011
Bruch's PincushionUlota bruchii2011
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum2011
Overleaf PelliaPellia epiphylla2011
Bog Groove-mossAulacomnium palustre2011
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata2011
Silver-mossBryum argenteum2011
Bluish-leaved HawkweedHieracium salticola2011
Common HawkweedHieracium triviale2011
Pohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergiiPohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergii2011
Nodding Thread-mossPohlia nutans2011
Crimson-tuber Thread-mossBryum rubens2011
Fountain Apple-mossPhilonotis fontana2011
Bristly HaircapPolytrichum piliferum2011
Spiky Bog-mossSphagnum squarrosum2011
River Feather-mossBrachythecium rivulare2011
Olive Beard-mossDidymodon tophaceus2011