Defending the King on the Fife Coastal Path

A short walk on the Fife Coastal Path between Newburgh and Norman's Law, the highest hill in North Fife. Along the way we talk about the Newburgh bear, a heraldic device used by the Earls of Warwick, and thought to have been used by the first abbot of Newburgh Abbey, who may have been related to the Earls of Warwick. It is a design that in modern times has been carved into a hillside above Newburgh, and visitors to the town can follow footpaths leading to it. We also pop into the Lindores Abbey Distillery and reflect on times past. In 1306, for example, three Scottish knights met in Lindores Abbey and vowed to defend King Robert the Bruce, and his crown, 'to the last of their blood and fortunes.' The three knights were Sir Gilbert Hay of Errol, Sir Neil Campbell of Lochaw, and Sir Alexander Seton, the latter playing a key role in the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn. In the stunningly beautiful and tranquil grounds of Lindores Abbey we pause by what may be the stone coffin of a child, a Scottish Prince of long ago. With stunning views back to Newburgh and right across the Firth of Tay we continue on the Fife Coastal Path and pause near the site of a battle, or maybe a skirmish, that took place in 1298 between Scots soldiers led by William Wallace and English soldiers led by the Earl of Pembroke. It was the Battle of Black Earnside. Skirting Glenduckie Hill and Ayton Hill, we arrive on Norman's Law, or Dun Mor, once a great Iron Age Fort and settlement. We end with a celebration and view across the Firth of Tay towards Dundee. A truly magical hike in one of Scotland's most scenic areas.

[@ron2143]

Thoroughly enjoyed that one Ed. The scenery was spectacular right enough. Loved the little bits of history you put in.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks 👍

[@bessie2275]

Welcome back to Fife Ed, another great video

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Pete.

[@Sopdarity]

Bravo Eddy.. Another piece of stunning work!! This video is up there with the best of them... The history was fascinating along with the special effects and the music was spot on... The effort on your behalf to overcome the pearls of public transport to do this journey is a credit to your determination and resilience in life. Respect....

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thank you.

[@alanmarshall6218]

Another inspiring video and more. This encourages me to try to get out more again and also to return to public transport where possible. Dont know this part of Fife and it looks great. Like the little human dialogues and picnic. Amazing what you can do in a day. Hope more to come over the summer. Appreciate your planning and effort. Nothing like this on mainstream TV.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Alan. It's a stunningly beautiful area of the country.

[@davidoneill913]

Enjoying your trips cheers Ed !

[@lynnthomason6589]

Loved the music and the views Eddy. Your historic videos really are outstanding. 😎 Lynn

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Lynn. The videos that have a bit of history in them do seem to do better.

[@robertwright4651]

Brill Ed another spectacular video very enjoyable take care until next time cheers for now

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Robert. 👍

[@Westeross]

Great video Eddy…we’ll done!!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Kate.

[@alanglasgowbassist]

Brilliant Ed. Will put that on my list. Looks lovely.

[@EdExploresScotland]

There are some walks that really hit the spot where scenery is concerned, and that's certainly one of them.

[@BigRedJed]

The winter is behind us now, i might get out walking myself now.

[@1964biggmark]

part of our beautiful country that I've never really seen :( but there's always another day, great vid cheers

[@EdExploresScotland]

Won't be long 'till Spring.

[@johngillespie2686]

Hi Ed another great video as always great music love the information u put into your videos regarding where you are missed your pie but cornish pastie good choice take care

[@EdExploresScotland]

There was turnip in that pastie. I don't like turnip. But it was delicious. All the best John.

[@lobiedosser]

GREAT CHOICE OF MUSIC . GREAT VIDEO

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers. 👍

[@3rbagel]

Enjoyed it Ed keep up the good work.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks 👍

[@TRAVELTHROUGHTHEEARTH]

Great vidoes with full informative and beautiful views. wel done Edd. I want to join you one of your walk if agreed.

[@annakrzak6512]

Fab work! Stunning views, fascinating history - and your sense of humour is a great bonus 🤩

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks Anna.

[@neilmckay8649]

A fine and inspiring video! My nose probably glows like yours did when my wife takes it upon herself to squeeze the blackheads on my nose. Spousal bonding but b****y painful. Until next time ...

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Neil.

[@user-rb7ud2sl1n]

Gordon is a Scottish name and that's my father and his and so up.❤

[@Canasket]

How do we donate directly to you? Would be good to see your hard work rewarded!

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks for your question. KZbin has recently introduced a scheme called Super Thanks. For eligible videos, you'll see a small heart icon and the word 'Thanks' beside other icons like dislike, etc. From what I understand you click this and hopefully it will be self-explanatory as to what to do next in order to essentially donate money to the video maker. I think you get three choices of how much you want to donate. It's a new scheme and I have not yet had any experience with it, but at the end of the day any scheme that gives me money has got to be a good thing!!

[@Canasket]

What about the music scene, got any more pieces composed you are going to share with us soon?

[@EdExploresScotland]

It's just small musical snippets that go with the videos. Nothing else planned at present.

[@GuzziIan]

Great video Ed. I must say though, as a long time viewer of you're work, since you've started using the new camera the video appears nice and sharp though a bit washed out. White balance perhaps or maybe the problem is on my end.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Thanks. No, I don't think it's at your end, and you're absolutely right; scenes in my videos can look a tad washed out since the 4K camera. It's taken a while to get used to the 4K camera, and in many ways I'm still not used to it. Certainly using auto settings can lead to the slightly over-exposed look that is more pronounced when watching on a TV. I've been using more manual settings of late which gives a bit more control, and hopefully things will improve. That said, almost every TV is set up differently, and even within the same model of TV viewers will have their own settings of how they want content to look.

[@mojogaucho]

A great video Eddy, the music really shone on this one. In reply to someone else's comment, you mentioned that you were considering leaving KZbin. I got the impression it was more than just issues with watching your videos on TV. If you pull the plug on KZbin, where will you be going? You're not considering chucking in the towel on your movie career are you?

[@EdExploresScotland]

Many thanks for your comment. As a perfectionist the quality of these videos is very important to me, and when something arises that affects that quality it just tears me to bits. I was fiddling around with wires and things this morning to sort the issue, but in fact it's nothing to do with wi-fi or wired connection; it's just a weird bit of visual interference that happens at the exact same spot in the video when watched on TV, but is absent when watched, via KZbin, on the computer. 'Doing my head in' would be an understatement. Take care.

[@Urbexy]

Spring has sure sprung. Have you ever been on one of your outings and missed your transport back? that wouldn't be much fun. I have always wondered why historical locations are often removed from the OS maps. The only thing I can think is the first edition had pretty much everything and later editions only contained items that can be physically identified when you are there. the NLS maps online are excellent for doing comparisons. Hope all is going well.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Almost got unstuck re buses when in Jedburgh years back. Last bus was around 5.30pm and in the end I had to go via Galashiels or something. Close thing. NLS maps online is an awesome facility; I always think someone should get an award for bringing it to fruition. Before it was available I'd be sending library staff into the bowels of the Mitchell then finding I was on a map edge and so needed another map and off they'd go again.

[@Urbexy]

@@EdExploresScotland I agree the NLS mapping system is first class. I make a lot of use of the side by side maps. always amazes me just how accurate old maps were even compared to modern satellite images.

[@user-rb7ud2sl1n]

As a Christian the Holy Bible & History that is true is important to me .

[@lochlainnmacneill2870]

A nither stoater.

[@EdExploresScotland]

Cheers Lochlainn.