Saline: Hills, Church History and Leisure

For choosing a place to stay in Saline, the routes around Knock Hill and Saline Hill, the church history, and recreational sports at the Saline Community Centre offer practical points of reference. Killernie Castle also shapes the area’s connection to the landscape.

Hills, Routes and Terrain

East of Saline, Killernie Castle stands on a rocky outcrop at the foot of Saline Hill. The area around Knock Hill and Saline Hill can be reached from Steelend or Saline via a path or an agricultural track through Killernie. This identifies two possible starting points and two types of route: a path or an agricultural track.

There are agricultural tracks along the route over Knock Hill and Saline Hill. Away from the tracks, the terrain is rough and boggy in places. This distinction is important when planning an outing: the tracks and the terrain beside them are not the same. Routes and ground conditions can change, so check conditions before setting out.

Church History and an Older Fortification

Early documentary records note a small church in Saline dating from the 13th century. Before the Reformation, Saline Church belonged to the Kirk of Dunkeld. The present church was built around 1809/1810. For a clear sense of the chronology, it is worth distinguishing the two dates: the 13th century refers to the small church, while 1809/1810 refers to the present church building.

Excavations at Saline Old Kirkyard uncovered foundation remains interpreted as a bell tower; this interpretation remains the subject of ongoing research. Easter Cairn is the site of an old hill fort. The two places offer different historical perspectives: Old Kirkyard concerns an archaeological find and its interpretation, while Easter Cairn is an older fortified site.

Recreational Sports and Getting There

The Saline Community Centre has a badminton court and a pickleball court for recreational sports. Equipment can be rented; availability depends on the centre’s operating schedule. If you plan to play either sport, check the centre’s schedule beforehand. This offers a different focus from the hill routes: here, the emphasis is on two named sports and rental equipment, while the routes focus on choosing an access point and the nature of the terrain.

The Go-Flexi service serves Saline. Connections from the Forthbridgehead area are available to Cairneyhill, Ferrytoll, Europarc and Inverkeithing railway station. These transport details relate to different areas: Saline itself and the Forthbridgehead area. The expansion of the service was initially planned to continue until mid-August 2027. Check current service information and timetables before making a specific journey.

Discover more destinations: Cairneyhill, Freuchie, East Wemyss, Glenrothes, Lower Largo, Cupar, Dunfermline, Elie

For the wider travel overview: Fife.