The Kingdom of Fife (Fife)

Member Name: dougal868

Product:	Fife
Date:	18/10/08 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A lovely county - rich in history

Disadvantages: Nothing!

The Kingdom of Fife is the dog's head shaped peninsula on the east of Scotland - sandwiched between Edinburgh and Dundee! People often asks 'what make's Fife a 'Kingdom'?' In fact, Fife has been Fife since the time of the Picts and was at that time a Kingdom, long before Scotland was one country. Fife is the only county to retain it's old Pictish borders and so, it retains it's name!

The area is made up of a variety of rich agricultural land to the north and east and mining and industrial areas around the west and south. The governmental centre of the county is Glenrothes which is one of the 'new towns' although it's not so new now as Glenrothes has just celebrated it's 60th anniversary! The town boasts a pleasant shopping centre, retail parks, supermarkets, parks, bingo hall and around a million roundabouts! The other major towns include Kirkcaldy (famous for linoleum), Dunfermline (birthplace of Andrew Carnegie and Barbara Dixon!), Cupar (old county town of Fife) and St Andrews (home of golf and Scotland''s oldest university).

Fife has a lot to offer both residents and visitors alike. There are many historical attractions such as Falkland Palace (holiday home of the Stuart monarchs including Mary Queen of Scotts) Culross, St Andrews Castle and Cathedral, Dunfermline Abbey and many more! And many other sites to see too...Scotland's Secret Bunker (an underground bunker to be used in the event of a nuclear attack), Craigtoun Country Park, Scottish Deer Centre, Deep Sea World, St Andrews Aquarium and much, much more! You can also enjoy the outdoor life in Fife with many fine walks (the Fife Coastal Path follows the entire coastline), hills, forests, parks and beaches.

There is also a huge variety of accommodation in the area with a particularly large selection in the very touristy St Andrews. St Andrew boasts a large number of hostels, B&B's, guesthouses, small hotels and larger resort hotels and spas but there is a lot of accommodation in other parts of Fife too. Those looking for cheaper accommodation might prefer one of the campsites/caravan parks around St Andrews but also in places like Kirkcaldy or Markinch (central Fife) or Tayport (north Fife).

Visitors (and Fifers!) should make the most of the Tourist Information Centres (St Andrews, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Anstruther) to find out more about attractions, events, accommodation and other general information about this area and beyond.

Summary: A beautiful part of Scotland with lots to see and do!