Fog Bank Over the Forth

Looking towards Methil only the top of the large wind turbine can be seen above the fog bank. It looks quite eerie.

 Looking out to sea the fog bank seen from the Massney Braes ...

 ... and from the pier at Lower Largo.

From the old railway track looking over the roof tops across the Forth can just see the tops of the oil platforms.

The Cocklemill Burn

The Cocklemill Burn emerges at the extreme eastern end of Largo Bay. One of my favourite walks is to park at the small Fife Coastal Path car park close to the caravan site at Shell Bay, then take the path through the woods to  the edge of the trees and then follow the Cocklemill Burn as it meanders to the shore.

 In parts the burn flows beneath high sand dunes.

I think that the holes in the sand dunes here  are used by nesting sand martins.



There are two wooden bridges which take walkers over the burn to reach the sands of Largo Bay. Looking beyond the first bridge can see the Lomond Hills in the distance.

The second bridge.

Looking over the second bridge can see the giant wind turbine at Methil.

The second bridge leads walkers on to Largo Bay.

The marshy ground close to burn. This area of salt marsh is an important resource for several bird species.

A Sparkling Christmas Day at Shell Bay

Looking across Largo Bay to Largo Law from the approach to Ruddons Point.

Although frosty it was a beautiful morning yesterday so we drove to Elie and parked at the Coastal Path car park just behind the caravan park at Shell Bay. Took the marked path through the woods, then skirted the trees past some spectacular sand dunes overlooking the salt marshes which surround the Cocklemill Burn and then on down the grassy slopes to Ruddons Point. Having explored the point walked across the sands of Shell Bay and then up the tarmacked road of the caravan park back to the car park. It makes a good round walk.

East and West Lomond in the distance.

The large wind turbine at Methil stands out.

Lower largo and Lundin Links across the bay.

A cairn made up of the rubbish that collects on the shore.

One of several huge mounds of scallop shells at the campsite.

At Last a Sunny Day

The sun sets directly behind the wind turbine in Methil.

After several gloomy, dreich days the sun shone all day yesterday and at dusk there was a lovely sunset.

It was a delight to walk along the beach looking back to the sunset.

A pink-tinged sky behind the trees.

On the Move in the Forth

With Berwick Law in the background the barge carrying a giant sub-sea jacket for use in the oil industry being towed by the tug Toisa Elan. Its eventual destination will be the Solan field west of Shetland.
Can also just see a gannet flying in front of Berwick Law and a line of wind turbines on the hills beyond. (Click to enlarge)

A few days ago, final preparations for loading the jacket on to the barge were being made at the BiFab yard in Methil.

Can see the tug the Toisa Elan, that will be used to tow the barge, waiting off-shore.

The large wind-turbine at the same site.

Also off Largo Bay in the Firth of Forth this week, the world's largest semi-submersible heavy-lift ship Dockwise Vanguard carrying the Ocean Patriot drilling rig.

A Changing Skyline

A giant wind turbine being constructed close to the Fife Energy Park in Methil. It will be the largest wind turbine in Scotland and at 196 metres, the structure will be taller than the Blackpool Tower, London Eye and the capital’s Gherkin building. Closer to home it will be taller than the highest spars of the Forth Road Bridge.

There is already a wind turbine in Methil and viewed from Lundin Links can see how much bigger the new one will be.

A Sea of Foam

The high winds creating stormy seas so that looking towards Leven, Largo Bay seemed covered by foam.

Looking towards Methil - the high waves buffeting the docks there.

 Looking out to sea from Lower Largo Pier.

Looking towards Ruddon's Point.

De-comissioning the Methil Power Station

The Methil Power Station is gradually being taken down. The main building is now just a shell. The site is expected to be cleared by the end of the year.

A pair of mute swans with four juveniles seen just off the pier in Lower Largo, with the Methil Power Station in the background. I will miss the view of the power station's chimney from the pier, as it defined the Western end of Largo Bay

Activity in Largo Bay

Barges and tugs move towering platforms from Methil.