Kingdom of Fife
The Kingdom of Fife is located across the Firth of Forth opposite Edinburgh. This stretches up to St Andrews and across to Kincardine. Some of the largest towns in the area are Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, St Andrews, Glenrothes, Cowdenbeath, Methil, Rosyth, Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay, Anstruther, Burntisland, Leven, Lochgelly, Tayport & Cupar.
Where to Stay
Visit our Accommodation guides including our guide on hotels for the best places to stay.
Places to eat out
The Peat Inn: This Michelin-starred restaurant is located in a charming 18th-century inn and offers elegant, modern Scottish cuisine made with local, seasonal ingredients.
The Newport: This award-winning restaurant is located in Newport-on-Tay and offers stunning views of the River Tay. The menu features modern Scottish cuisine with a focus on seafood.
The Wee Restaurant: This cozy restaurant is located in North Queensferry and offers a range of Scottish and French-inspired dishes, made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
The Seafood Ristorante: This restaurant, located in St Andrews, specializes in seafood and offers stunning views of the beach and the North Sea. The menu features a wide variety of seafood dishes, including lobster, crab, and langoustines.
The Adamson: This stylish restaurant in St Andrews offers a contemporary take on Scottish cuisine, using local, seasonal ingredients. The menu features a range of dishes, from small plates to hearty mains.
Ostlers Close: This restaurant, located in Cupar, offers a modern take on Scottish cuisine, using ingredients sourced from local suppliers. The menu features a range of dishes, including meat, seafood, and vegetarian options.
The Cellar: This seafood restaurant in Anstruther is located in a 16th-century building and offers a range of fresh seafood dishes, including locally caught lobster and crab.
The Ship Inn: This historic pub in Elie dates back to the 18th century and offers traditional Scottish fare, including haggis, neeps, and tatties, as well as a range of seafood dishes.
The Criterion: This restaurant in St Andrews offers a mix of Scottish and international cuisine, made with local, seasonal ingredients. The menu features a range of dishes, from seafood to steak.
The Cow Shed: This steakhouse in St Andrews sources its beef from a local farm and offers a range of delicious cuts, as well as seafood, burgers, and vegetarian options.
The Roost: This restaurant in Bridge of Earn offers modern Scottish cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients. The menu features a range of dishes, including meat, seafood, and vegetarian options.
Explore the Kingdom of Fife: The Complete Guide
Jutting into the North Sea between the Firths of Forth and Tay, Fife has been a “kingdom” since Pictish times and still feels a little apart from the rest of Scotland. In a compact area you will find the home of golf and a great university town at St Andrews, the ancient royal capital of Dunfermline, a string of impossibly pretty fishing villages along the East Neuk, sandy beaches, clifftop coastal walks and film-famous historic burghs. Just across the Forth bridges from Edinburgh, it makes an easy day trip or a rewarding few days of its own. The guides below cover Fife’s towns, its highlights and how to fit it into a wider Scotland trip.
Fife’s Towns & Villages
Each of Fife’s main towns has its own character and its own detailed guide:
- St Andrews — the home of golf, a ruined cathedral and castle, and Scotland’s oldest university.
- Dunfermline — the ancient royal capital, with its abbey and palace, birthplace of Andrew Carnegie.
- Kirkcaldy — the “Lang Toun” on the Forth coast, with its promenade and museum.
- Aberdour — a charming seaside village with a castle and the award-winning Silver Sands beach.
- Burntisland — a historic Forth-side town with a fine beach and summer fair.
Things to See & Do in Fife
Beyond the towns, Fife rewards slow exploration:
Golf and history at St Andrews. The Old Course is the spiritual home of the game, but even non-golfers will enjoy the atmospheric cathedral ruins, the castle, the university quads and the wide West Sands beach. The East Neuk. The string of fishing villages — Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie — is Fife at its most photogenic, with harbours, seafood and the famous Anstruther fish bar. Historic burghs. The National Trust villages of Culross and Falkland are beautifully preserved time capsules, which is why both feature as Outlander filming locations — along with Aberdour and Dysart. The coast. The Fife Coastal Path runs the length of the county, linking beaches, cliffs and villages, and Aberdour’s Silver Sands is one of several Blue Flag beaches.
Fife & Nearby
Fife sits right on Edinburgh’s doorstep. Cross the Forth bridges and you can pair it with the capital or the wider region:
- Edinburgh — just over the Forth, around 30 to 40 minutes from west Fife.
- The Lothians — the coast and countryside on the south side of the Forth.
- Fit Fife into a wider trip with our Scotland itineraries hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kingdom of Fife known for?
Fife is best known as the home of golf, thanks to the Old Course at St Andrews, and for St Andrews itself — its ruined cathedral, castle and ancient university. It is also famous for the picture-perfect fishing villages of the East Neuk, the historic royal town of Dunfermline, and the preserved burghs of Culross and Falkland, which have become popular Outlander filming locations.
How do you get to Fife from Edinburgh?
Fife is just across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh. Trains from Edinburgh Waverley cross the Forth Bridge and reach Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and the Fife Coast line in around 30 to 40 minutes, with services continuing to Leuchars for St Andrews. By car you cross the Queensferry Crossing, putting west Fife within about half an hour of the city.
How many days do you need in Fife?
You can see the highlights of St Andrews in a full day, but two or three days lets you add the East Neuk villages, Dunfermline and a stretch of the Fife Coastal Path without rushing. Many visitors also treat Fife as a series of day trips from Edinburgh, picking off St Andrews, Culross or the coast one at a time.
What are the best beaches in Fife?
Aberdour’s Silver Sands and the West Sands at St Andrews are the best known, both Blue Flag beaches, while Elie, Burntisland and Kingsbarns also have lovely stretches of sand. The Fife Coastal Path links many of them, making it easy to combine a walk with a swim or a picnic on a fine day.
Where are the best places to Shop
Attractions to visit in the Kingdom of Fife
There are many attractions worth visiting in Fife, some of these are:
St Andrews: Known as the home of golf, St Andrews is a beautiful town located on the east coast of Fife. The town is famous for its world-renowned golf courses and stunning beaches. St Andrews also offers a variety of historical sites, including the ruins of St Andrews Castle and the ancient St Andrews Cathedral.
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace: This impressive structure is the final resting place of many Scottish kings and queens, including Robert the Bruce. Visitors can explore the ruins of the abbey and the impressive palace that was built by King James VI.
Falkland Palace: This stunning palace was built in the 16th century and is set in beautiful gardens. Visitors can explore the palace’s many rooms, including the chapel, the great hall, and the royal apartments.
Scottish Fisheries Museum: Located in Anstruther, this museum tells the story of Scotland’s fishing industry. Visitors can explore exhibits on fishing boats, nets, and the lives of the fishermen who worked in the industry.
Kellie Castle and Garden: This charming castle dates back to the 14th century and features beautiful gardens and a magnificent Great Hall. Visitors can explore the castle’s many rooms, including the drawing room, the library, and the dining room.
Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve: This beautiful nature reserve is located on the east coast of Fife and offers visitors the chance to explore sand dunes, forests, and wetlands. The reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, otters, and seals.
Hill of Tarvit Mansion: This Edwardian mansion was built in the early 20th century and features stunning gardens and an impressive collection of fine art and antiques.
St. Andrews Aquarium: This family-friendly attraction offers visitors the chance to see a variety of marine life up close, including seals, penguins, and sharks.
St. Andrews Botanic Garden: This beautiful garden features a wide variety of plants from around the world, including a collection of over 8,000 species of plants from the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Lochore Meadows Country Park: This park offers visitors the chance to explore over 1,200 acres of woodlands, meadows, and wetlands. Activities include hiking, cycling, fishing, and boating.
Ravenscraig Castle: This 15th-century castle is located on the coast of Fife and offers stunning views of the Firth of Forth. Visitors can explore the castle’s ruins and learn about its fascinating history.
Scottish Vintage Bus Museum: This museum is located in Lathalmond and features a collection of vintage buses and other vehicles. Visitors can take a ride on a vintage bus and learn about the history of public transportation in Scotland.
Events in Fife
Each July the BurntIsland Highland Games takes place in the seaside town of Burntisland.
