Hill returned to its former glory by hard work of volunteers

Markinch Hill has been transformed thanks to the hard work of volunteers.

The new-look hill will be officially unveiled at noon on Saturday August 13 and all are welcome.

The once-overgrown area has been cleared and planted with new trees and wildflowers to provide a tranquil spot for residents and visitors.

Bringing the hill up to standard as a recreation area was a project coordinated by the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership.

Markinch Environmental Action Group, Markinch Heritage Group and the local community council worked together on the project.

Among those involved was Markinch resident Lorna Ross, who said: “A lot of local people have spent a lot of time on it.

“One local resident has done all the artwork, working with professionals on interpretation boards.

“Children from Markinch Primary School have been out helping us plant 700 wildflower plugs.”

A large part of the work involved removing rhododendrons from the ancient terraces on the hill, which have been the subject of speculation for hundreds of years.

In 1797 the Reverend John Thomson wrote that the terraces could have been built to strengthen an encampment or military post.

It has also been suggested the terraces were stalls for audiences at public events during medieval times.

Ms Ross said: “Nobody knows why the terraces were built, there are a few theories but nothing has been proved.”

Markinch Hill was gifted to the community by the Balfour family in the 1970s.