The Fife Travel Guide outlines the local visitor attractions, places of interest, entertainment and offers useful tourist information for travellers. 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 for golf and the historic university with royal connections. The area has a rich industrial heritage but with the winding down of the 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.
Overview and Attractions
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, 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.
Dunfermline is 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.
Kirkaldy 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.
St Andrews is a well known town in East Fife, famed 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. 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.
Crail 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 streets, look out for the Market Cross dating back to the 17th century, the 12th century St Mary's Church and the Crail Museum and Heritage Centre has 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.
St Andrews Castle is located to the north of St Andrews. The ruins of the castle dates back in part to the 13th century. Visitors can see a bottle-dungeon and a mine and counter-mine tunnelled during the siege that followed the murder of Cardinal Beaton in 1546. These siege works are among the best of their type in the UK. There is a visitor centre that contains a great exhibition of the history of the castle and the cathedral. The visitor shop has local products that are produced in the Fife area. A trip here makes for an enjoyable historic site visit.
St Andrews Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Scotland and remains a tourist draw despite the fact it is now a ruins. It was established back in 1160 with the 16th century precept walls, 12th century gables and south wall still standing. The Cathedral Museum contains a collection of medieval sculpture and other relics that have been discovered on the site. The cathedral is located in St Andrews and a visit here will give visitors the opportunity to see what was formerly among the most stunning churches in Scotland, it is still very impressive now. St Rule’s Tower provides access to some truly spectacular views.
Falkland Palace is built on the site of an earlier fortress dating back to the 13th century. Falkland Palace was a country retreat of the Stuart Kings, the castle belonged to the MacDuffs, Earls of Fife, and the remains of its Great Tower are still visible in the gardens. It became a royal residence in the 15th century by James II, whilst Mary, Queen of Scots spent some time here too.
There are portraits of the Stuart kings and queens in the palace and visitors can experience a flavour of things in the Queen’s Room that has been restored by the National Trust for Scotland. Garden enthusiasts will appreciate the colourful herbaceous borders, lush green lawns and many unusual shrubs and trees. The Royal Tennis Court, built in 1539, is Britain’s oldest tennis court. There is an exhibition that allows visitors to learn more about the palace and its history. Falkland Palace is an impressive Renaissance building with its gardens that make for a memorable property.
The Lochore Meadows Country Park lies in the heart of Fife Regional Park West. It is a centre for environmental education in Fife. The Country Park comprises of reclaimed coal mining waste-land and gently rolling grassland and woodland. It covers an area of some 1,200 acres, it presents a walkers' paradise with some great scenic walks possible. There is a nature reserve located to the west where visitors can enjoy bird watching. There is a cafe, slide show and conference facilities here too. The park is in a nice setting and brings visitors closer to nature and performs and important educational role too.
The Fife Coastal Path runs from Culross to the Tay Bridge and offers a wide range of walking experience, that range from easy and level for beginners to the wild and demanding for experience walkers. Given the range of terrain it is suitable for all be they old or young. The path is walked in either a long walk or in much smaller sections, the route is way marked helping navigation. This walking route has plenty of beautiful scenery and heritage, and brings with it access to the varied Fife communities. Walkers can experience the quaint villages and towns along the way and is a great way to explore the region up close and personal with the great outdoors. The path is located in attractive areas making exploring a delight.
The Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery is set in the garden grounds of the town's War Memorial Gardens. Here there are fine collections of decorative arts that are of local and national importance. The museum has a large collection of works by William McTaggart, the ground floor features an award winning permanent local history display. There is a changing exhibition programme of art, history and photography that runs during the year. The museum café contains a fine display of pottery and the colourful local ceramic ware which was produced in the town between the 1890s and 1930 and has a great selection of home baking.
The original Byre Theatre was founded back in 1933 and a new theatre was opened in 1970. The theatre has a varied programme to appeal to the arts enthusiast, the programme includes dance, drama, comedy and exhibitions to name but a few. Visitors can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Byre Restaurant that offers a welcome retreat from the busy streets of St Andrews. The restaurant is a popular one among arts goers and there are attractive garden views to enjoy added to the contemporary atmosphere. For arts fans the theatre presents an opportunity to enjoy cultured entertainment when in the region and a fine meal too.
When looking for a place to eat, it is worth considering the Doll’s House, among the most popular restaurants in St Andrews. There is an emphasis in traditional Scottish and French cuisine, the restaurant offers a diverse range of good quality menus with varieties of seafood, Scottish beef and vegetarian dishes to suit a variety of tastes. Fresh local ingredients are used in the dishes giving visitors the chance to taste the local produce. The restaurant caters for special occasions as well as being a good place to go for a romantic meal. The restaurant is located in the heart of St Andrews and its location help create a relaxing atmosphere in which diners can enjoy their meals.
Aikman's Bar Bistro and the Cellar Bar are situated in the centre of St. Andrews and offer a range of food and drink. The menu is wide ranging offering diners everything from soup to meat and vegetarian dishes, to top it all is a delicious range of desserts. In the evenings there is cuisine that takes influences from all over the world. There is a huge choice of bottled beers from Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. Visitors can also sample the world famous Malt whiskies that are synonymous with Scotland.
For those that enjoy nightlife the Velocity Nightclub offers a chance to party and dance the night away. The club contains LED technology and moving head lighting providing great nightclub surroundings. The sound system used is of a high quality and screens around the dance floor all add to the experience too. There are themed nights catering for varying musical tastes throughout the week. There is also an exclusive VIP suite for special events and parties.
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.