Dunfermline – Hovercrafting at Craigluscar, Then the Abbey
A few hours.
The route
On a farm in the hills just north of Dunfermline, Craigluscar Activities lets you fly a miniature hovercraft round a grass field on a cushion of air, with no brakes at all.
Once you've got the hang of it, you race the clock through a course of canes. Afterwards, Dunfermline Abbey, where Robert the Bruce lies buried, is 13 minutes' drive back into town. It suits friends and families, as long as everyone is 16 or over.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book Hovercrafting at Craigluscar Activities
Book hovercrafting at Craigluscar Activities by phone on 01383 738 429 before you go, £50 a head at the time of writing, at least two people, ages 16 and over; it doesn't post its days online, so ring to arrange a time, and strong wind may mean rebooking.
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The day
Dunfermline
Ten minutes learning to steer a hovercraft with no brakes, six timed laps through the canes, then the old abbey and the king's grave.
About three hours
Craigluscar Activities
Craigluscar Activities is on Craigluscar Farm (KY12 9HT), up in the fields a few miles north of Dunfermline. From the town, take the A823 through Wellwood and up the hill, then follow the signs for Craigluscar Quad Centre along the farm road, straight on past the fishery car park. At the farm, turn left up the hill to the cream cottages rather than through the pillars, and carry on to the activity centre. You fly a small single-seat hovercraft on a cushion of air: 10 minutes' practice up and down a big grass field, then six timed laps weaving through canes, with a five-second penalty for each cane you hit. There are no brakes, so you lean into the turns. It costs £50 a head at the time of writing, with at least two people in a group, and it's for ages 16 and over. Helmets, waterproofs, safety kit and tuition are all provided. Book by phone on 01383 738 429; the centre doesn't post its days online, so ring to arrange a time. Strong wind grounds the hovercraft, and you may have to rebook.
13 min by car
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
An attraction
Dunfermline Abbey is 13 minutes' drive away in the middle of the town, where the Abbey Church holds the grave of Robert the Bruce under its tower, with KING ROBERT THE BRUCE carved round the top. There's no car park at the abbey itself; on-street parking is about 100 metres away. The Abbey Church opens Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm, and on Sundays from 1pm. The old nave is open every day from 10am to 4.30pm from April to September, and Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm from October to March. Entry is free, with donations welcome, and dogs can come into the grounds.
If it rains
Rain doesn't stop the hovercraft and waterproofs are provided; only strong wind grounds them. The abbey is indoors.
Photograph by Renat Oosthuizen via Google