As part of the Raith estate the surrounding woodland has an extensive history dating back hundreds of years, in part this woodland was first designed and planted by Thomas white nearly 250 years ago, the woodland contains a giant redwood possible 100 years old and an ancient yew tree which I have measured and it may be over 700 years old, which could relate to the ancient religious connections of Kirkcaldy with some factors of ancient mythology once linking king Arthur and merlin in the battle of Raith via the poem of Y gododdin... and when you consider the fact that Michael Scott was once resident of Raith as well, it wouldn't be too surprising that throughout history, these woods have been home to such mysterious folk such as Arthur and his knights. There is also the tomb of Robert munro Ferguson down by the Raith lake who was once resident of raith estate, after inheriting it from his uncle whom famously had an affair with a married woman and was fined £10,000. I believe this woodland has great historical significance with visitors of the Victorian era writing many stories of the tales involving Raith after holidaying here such as lover leap and...
"Croupie Craigs, 'a romantic rocky ravine' with waterfalls, derived its name from a local miller who tamed his wife by suspending her above the craig until she was half-drowned (Millar 1895, p.315-6; 1894, OS 6""). " An account of 1806 notes the woods and plantations laid out:'with great taste in the neighbourhood of Kirkcaldy….a fine ornament to the vicinity. Several tracts of barren ground and divided commons have been lately planted; but as the trees are yet in an infant state, they make little appearance. These young plantations consist of various kinds such as oak, Scots fir, larix, beech, birch, ash'."
https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00323
For me, only now can we see the vision that those involved in creating this estate had, the winding paths and streams are a beautiful walk and you could spend days rambling around Raith woods, as I have done since I was a young boy. It really is one of my favourite places and there is so much more stories to be told about this woodland.
