Introduction and Overview
The Fife Travel Guide outlines the local visitor attractions, places of interest and offers useful tourist information for visitors. The area guide features travel information on local transport and travel, facts & figures, entertainment, events, maps and accommodation.
The area is also known as 'The Kingdom of Fife' located in the area between the Rivers Tay and Forth.
Fife has a long history which attracts many visitors to the area. Previously Dunfermline was a capital of Scotland and St Andrews is renowned as a place synonymous with golf and the historic university with royal connections.
The area has a rich industrial heritage and was once the home to traditional heavy industries, the history and heritage of this era is shown in the local museums that let visitors learn more about the legacy of industries such as textiles and coal mining that were once very prominent here.
Kirkcaldy became the commercial centre of Fife and still remains the area's main shopping venue.
The area is famous for two of the best known bridges in Scotland, the Forth Bridge that takes you from Fife to Edinburgh and the Forth Railway Bridge that carries the main East Coast line between London and Aberdeen.
The eastern part of Fife is known for its fishing villages with their unique character and among the best sandy beaches in the UK, great for those that want good beaches without the crowds.
The northern part of the Fife is known as mainly agricultural, its location makes it a good place to explore place such as Perth and Dundee from. The rich history and heritage of Fife has left a legacy of castles, ruins, abbeys and museums for visitors to explore and enjoy.
In addition the landscape is conducive to the enjoyment of the open countryside and coast, making it a hit with those that enjoy outdoor activities, water-sports, walking and cycling.
West Fife includes Dunfermline, the second largest town in Fife and a previous capital of Scotland. The history of the town goes back to 1065 and the town had its industrial development back in the 18th and 19th centuries, based predominantly on textiles.
Modern day Dunfermline has three golf courses to choose from for golfing fans and a museum & gallery with displays on the town's industries.
The Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum is also located here, Andrew Carnegie an industrialist and benefactor was born in Dunfermline the 18th century weaver's cottage is now the basis of the museum.
Other local attractions include Abbot House Heritage Centre, Dunfermline Royal Palace, Pittencrieff House Museum and Dunfermline AbbeyShopping facilities are available at the Kingsgate Shopping Centre located in the town centre.
Central Fife includes the town of Kirkaldy that is known for the modern floor coverings and linoleum that are still manufactured today.
Kirkcaldy is the birthplace of the Adam Smith, who wrote "The Wealth of Nations" and architect and designer Robert Adam. In hundreds of acres of parkland and coast, is Ravenscraig Castle that has its origins back in the 15th century.
The castle has been much altered since this time. Local attractions include Kirkaldy’s Links Market, longest street fair in Europe, held in Easter, there are in excess of 200 fairground rides and attractions.
Other attractions include The Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery and Adam Smith Theatre. There are a choice of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants in the town centre and there is still a monthly market held in the town.
North Fife includes the famous town of St Andrews, well known as the home of Scotland's oldest university and a world centre for golf. The compact nature of the town means it is easy to see and explore the town by foot.
The historic town has plenty of historic listed buildings that add plenty of character to the town. It has been compared to the famous English university centres Oxford and Cambridge.
The historic medieval centre of St Andrews retains much of its charm and character with cobbled streets and narrow alleys along with a choice of cafes, restaurants and shops.
Local attractions include St Andrews Castle, St Andrews Cathedral and the Church of St Regulus that offers visitors splendid views of the town and surroundings areas from the top of its tower.
St Andrews has it own beaches including West Sands, St Andrews Aquarium, Botanic Gardens and the British Golf Museum. Golfing aficionados from around the world are drawn to the area known as the spiritual home of golf.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club was founded here back in 1754 making it the oldest in the world.
The East Neuk of Fife includes the scenic village of Crail, it is among the oldest of the Royal Burghs in Scotland, it was granted its charter in 1178.
The port here became important for exporting fish, salt and woollens among other things. It is a popular place for tourists to visit with its narrow cobbled streets and fishing cottages.
Local attractions include the Market Cross dating back to the 17th century, the 12th century St Mary's Church and the Crail Museum and Heritage Centre that provides a fascinating insight in to the history and heritage of the area.
The Airfield Room has a range of photos and memorabilia from Crail Airfield. The Burgh Room has information on life in Crail over many centuries.
Fife is a region steeped in history has its fair share of historical attractions to explore that include castles, abbeys and historical houses, there are also plenty of gardens to admire and parks to visit.
The open spaces of the Fife countryside are a joy to experience with the great scenery on offer and some wonderful outdoor experiences on offer too.
Known for the famous town of St Andrews, the region has many other towns and villages that make for charming places to explore. The region is fairly close to Edinburgh meaning a trip could combine visiting both places.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
