Blairadam
Soaring spruces, waterfalls and hidden mining heritage
A mix of landscaped woodland and industrial history means each visit to Blairadam can feel like a completely different experience.
William Adam, the noted Scottish architect, built Blairadam House here in the 1730s and landscaped the surrounding estate. He was also a shrewd businessman, planting trees for timber and extracting coal from the seams that ran through his land. Amongst the lofty trees and tumbling burns you will see plenty of evidence of these mining works which have now been reclaimed by the forest.
Guide map to The Forest Trails of Blairadam (PDF 957KB)
Walking trails
Keltyhill Glen Trail
A scenic stroll alongside the Drumnagoil Burn to a waterfall that is particularly dramatic after heavy rain.
Firm but uneven gravel surface. Steep slopes down to the glen. Parts may be muddy.
Allow ¼ hours
The Glen Trail
Meander up the Kelty Burn beneath towering spruce trees that were a scenic highlight of the Blairadam estate in its heyday.
Firm, largely wide but uneven gravel surface. Includes some fairly steep slopes and sections that may be muddy.
Allow 1 hour
This trail criss-crosses the Kelty Burn on stone bridges amid spruce, beech, pine and sycamore woods. Look out for the remains of the ‘100 Foot Bridge’, which once carried a railway over The Glen to Blairenbathie coal pit, and spot the dramatic Kiery Crags at The Glen’s eastern end.
Blairenbathie Mine Trail
Explore the colourful broadleaved woods that shroud the sites of the two Blairenbathie coal pits, as well as the handsome Lochornie Burn Bridge.
Largely wide, firm and smooth gravel surface. Some uneven and potentially muddy sections. Long moderate slopes with some steeper sections.
Allow 1½ hours
Though hard to believe today, this peaceful forest was once a busy industrial area. Follow this trail to reach the remains of Blairenbathie’s modern mine, closed in the 1800s and now reclaimed by the forest. Pass through mature oaks, beech and birch to find a much older pit and the restored Lochornie Burn Bridge, with its distinctive tall narrow arch.
Facilities & access
There are public toilets in Kelty Community Centre, Main Street.
Getting here
Blairadam is on the north side of the B914, 500 yards west of Kelty and Junction 4 of the M90. There is a car park at this main entrance and an alternative car park about ½ mile further along the forest road.
Using SatNav?
KY4 0JQ is the nearest postcode.
Public transport
No buses pass Blairadam, although local services do stop in Kelty. There is a pavement along the road from Kelty to Blairadam, although junctions are very busy and may not be suitable for all. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.
Get in touch
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