Walking Mends My Mind

A Publication by Gary @ Write Up Ur Street

More Than Just a Mile: When Colin Miller moved to Kirkcaldy in October 2024, he noticed something missing. While the town had a vibrant walking scene, there was a “gap in the map” for those who wanted to push themselves a little further.

I recently sat down with Colin to discuss how he turned his personal passion for long-distance trekking into Lang Toun Walks, a thriving community group that is putting Kirkcaldy’s heritage—and its cafes—front and centre.

Filling the Gap, The Birth of Lang Toun Walks: “I realised there weren’t any groups doing the longer walks,” Colin explains. “I was doing them myself anyway, so I started the group in June 2025, hoping others would join me. It’s been going quite well so far!”

Since its inception, Colin has led about 18 walks. While the group size fluctuates—anywhere from a cozy five-person hike to a bustling group of 25—the core of the group remains the “regulars.

“There’s a handful of people who have done almost every walk. You see new friendships emerging. It’s more than just a walk; it’s a community and a social gathering.”

Supporting Local, One Sip at a Time: For Colin, the route is only half the story. A major highlight of every Lang Toun Walk is the “pit stop.” Being new to town, Colin uses the walks to discover the best local spots, like Barty’s, which serves everything from tea and coffee to something a bit stronger.

“We try to support local businesses. We’ll stop at a cafe for lunch, take photos of the food, and shout them out on social media. These businesses are important to our community, so we want to inspire people to go back and give them more business in the future.”

The Big One 17.5 Miles for a Special Anniversary: While the group typically covers significant ground, they are currently preparing for their biggest challenge yet.

• The Date: May 24, 2026

• The Distance: 17.5 Miles

• The Occasion: The 10th anniversary of local walker Alex Donald’s first complete circuit of Kirkcaldy.

“Alex is a fountain of knowledge and has helped create many of these routes,” Colin says. “The 17.5-mile circuit is a challenge, but we try to be inclusive. We’ll do 6 or 7 miles, have lunch, and some people might drop off there. That’s totally fine—it’s about being part of it.”

Discovering Kirkcaldy Through New Eyes: Interestingly, Colin’s “outsider” perspective is helping lifelong residents see their town in a new light. He recalls a friend who had lived in Kirkcaldy for 50 years but had never walked the route through the Raith Estate to the Buffalo Farm.

“It’s rewarding when people who have lived here all their days discover new areas. I’ve even had people travelling from Hamilton, West Lothian, and Edinburgh to join us. They don’t realise how beautiful the Fife Coastal Path is until they see it on a sunny day.”

According to Colin, the secret of a good walk isn’t just the scenery

• Freshness: Reversing old routes to make them feel new.

• Honest Feedback: The group discusses what works and what’s “too much road walking” over a cuppa.

• The Company: “Sometimes it’s not the route you go; it’s who you are walking with that makes it rewarding.”

Looking Ahead The Black Rock walk: While Colin plans to keep the walks focused on Kirkcaldy, he has his sights set on the Black Rock.

“We tried to get there, but the tide was too high, and we were stopped 100 yards short! You have to time that one perfectly. Watch this space.”

Join the Group: Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just looking for a bit of fresh air and a friendly chat, Lang Toun Walks is open to everyone. Most walks start and end in Kirkcaldy, usually occurring about twice a month.

“We’re a friendly group. If anyone wants to come along and join us, we’d love to have you. Hopefully, you’ll like it and keep coming back!”

For more information on upcoming routes and meeting times, keep an eye on our social media page