Milnathort is a small town within walking distance of Kinross, with which it shares a friendly rivalry. It boasts Burleigh Castle, a fine 16th century tower house reputedly haunted by the ghost of grey Maggie, and South Lissens Pottery, where the workshop produces a wide range of goods including lustre ware and Witch Jars.

From Milnathort, a main road heads east between Loch Leven and Lomond Hills to Kinnesswood village.

In Michael Bruce’s Cottage a small museum remembers the ‘Gentle Poet of Loch Leven’ who was born here in 1746. The popular climb from the village up Bishop Hill to the high plateau of the Lomond Hills offers spectacular views and across to the peaks of East and West Lomond.

A few miles further east, the village of Scotlandwell has grown up around a fresh water spring first recorded in Roman times. The spring was believed to cure leprosy and the Red Friars ran a hospice here in the 13th century. From Scotlandwell, it’s easy to complete a circuit of Loch Leven back to Kinross, but a short detour might be in order to the Scottish Food & Craft Centre a few miles south of the loch near Kelty.