Are you looking for things to see and do in Scotland? Are you planning to visit Edinburgh, the Highlands, Loch Ness or Loch Lomond? Please make time to visit The Kingdom of Fife.
I wasn't born in Fife, but I've lived here for many years, and it really is my adopted home, and I just love it!
It is truly a delightful place both to live and visit. I get very excited when we have friends from other countries visiting and I can take time off and show them around. Please let me do the same with you. Let me introduce you to the beautiful and enchanting Kingdom of Fife.
Many people look for things to see and do in Scotland - yet bypass Fife, well apart from a day playing golf in St Andrews.
I am more than a little biased, I know, but if you are visiting Scotland - then I hope you will spend longer in Fife and discover some of the treasures of this enchanting kingdom. There is every type of Sport , especially Golf and other activity you could think of, including arts and crafts, Historic Buildings , some wonderful Art Galleries and Museums , theatre and music, and Parks & Gardens , as well as some dedicated Cycle Routes . There is something for everyone. Have a look at some of the Things to do in Fife.
But to find your way around, follow my little tour, but check out the weather before you set off.
Let me show you our beautiful coastline with its working fishing villages, castles and
palaces
full of history; quaint villages and old cottages, as well as many Art Galleries and museums. It really is an enchanting Kingdom, Scotland's hidden wonder. There are so many things to see and do in Scotland, but it still surprises me that so few tourists visit the Kingdom of Fife in comparison to other parts of the country.
Forth Road and Rail Bridge
I
ALWAYS
get a thrill when I come over the Forth Road Bridge. It means I’m crossing into the Kingdom and near home, and as I drive I glance across to the majestic
Forth Bridge
. What an awesome piece of engineering. It was the world’s first steel bridge and is Scotland’s largest listed building. My Dad used to tell me stories of how his grandfather was one of the 4000 strong team who helped build it. My great-grandfather survived, but 57 men lost their lives the building of this wonderful bridge. So I feel a little claim to that part of history.
Walking along the Fife Coastal Path is very popular. It runs for around 80 miles along the coast of Fife, from the Forth Bridge area right round to the Tay Bridge. It's a journey well worth taking, even if just for a couple of hours. You'll be able to explore both naturally beautiful landscapes as well some wonderful historic ruins. There are so many things to see and do in Scotland, but when you explore the Fife coastline and there's something for everyone, for young and old alike. If you go along the coastal walk you'll have the chance to see and 'experience' the wildlife and flora, catching sight of the dolphins and seals, or even a whale!!
But first let me introduce to some of lovely towns and villages , which I love to explore. It is so easy for all of us to take it for granted the place we live, but for me, Fife is so enchanting and beautiful, that there are places I never tire of visiting. I feel very privileged to call it home and hope you might become as enchanted with it as I am.
Wander through the narrow cobbled streets of The Royal Burgh of Culross, with houses and cottages with red pantiled roofs and you definitely feel you have walked into a bygone time. The incredible ochre-coloured walls of Culross Palace built in 1597 overlooks the Firth of Forth. It is without a doubt the loveliest and most completed example of and 17th and 18th century Scottish Town.
Entrance to Kingdom Shopping Centre
If you want to have things to see and do in Scotland, then a visit to the East Neuk should be a MUST.
Driving along the coast to the East Neuk is one of the pleasures that my husband and I love to do. If you're looking for things to see and do in Scotland, it would be a shame to miss this beautiful part of the country.
We often take a picnic and go and enjoy the pleasures of these picturesque, quaint fishing villages. After a busy week, I often feel I am going back in time and feel refreshed after a few short hours in this lovely part of Fife.
A few miles along we come to the fishing villages of Pittenweem where the wonderful Art Festival is held at the beginning of August each year; and the lovely port of Anstruther. Here we enjoy strolling round the Harbours; watching the fishermen bring in the catch; sometimes buying fresh fish, or sometimes treating ourselves to the cooked variety, the traditional fish-and-chips at the award-winning Shop there. A boat trip will take you to the Isle of May, which is very pleasurable, and seeing the wildlife, especially the puffins is such a delight.
If it wasn't for the accent of the locals, you might think as you wander through these lovely fishing villages that you were actually in Cornwall or the lovely coastlines of Devon, (perhaps one of the loveliest parts of England).
Travelling a bit further east around the coast
brings us to the Crail. Here we can not only enjoy the harbour, but visit the Artists Studios and Potteries. We sometimes like to have our picnic at Crail, (if we've not eaten fish and chips at Anstruther!) just gazing out to the North Sea, watching the boats go by.
Continuing round the coast
is the famous
St Andrews
with its golden sandy beach, its ancient and well-respected University where Prince William studied for his degree. You'll often see young people strolling arm-in-arm along the beautiful beach (used in the filming of the film 'Chariots of Fire'.
From here we can journey north via Leuchars round to Tayport and where you can look across the estuary over the Tay Bridge to Dundee. If you go over this bridge, you are out of Fife, but you can follow the
River Tay
round to the delightful town of Perth.
West from Cupar, we travel towards my home of Auchtermuchty . Only 3 miles away is the Royal Burgh of Falkland , situated at the foot of the Lomond Hills. The historic, awesome-yet-enchanting palace, the Hunting Lodge of the Stuart Kings, dominates the town. Falkland is steeped in history, and well worth meandering around the cobbled streets.
But if you want to ‘get away from it all', try a walk up the Lomond Hills just behind it. Maybe you might want to try the 'two hills walk' from East Lomond to West Lomond, not an activity for those who just want a stroll - and make sure you wear sensible walking shoes!
To learn more about other places and things to see and do in Scotland or should I say the Kingdom of Fife, see also the following:-
Images of Fife
- Check out some photographs of the Kingdom, some of which have been submitted by our visitors.
Things to do In Fife
- Check out some of the things to do in the Kingdom.
Maps and Weather
- Find your way around and be prepared for the weather!
Anstruther
- Explore this lovely fishing village and treat yourself to some delicious Fish and Chips.
Auchtermuchty
- This lovely place (my home) is also home to a great Festival every year in August.
Bridges
- See the lovely and even awesome bridges that might be your way into the Enchanting Kingdom for things to see and do in Scotland!
Falkland
- Let the enchanting Falkland Palace transport you back a few centuries. Go for a walk up the Lomond Hills and stop for a 'yummy' bit to eat in Falkland.
Glenrothes
- Visit this New Town with all its amazing modern sculptures, or pop into the Markinch Highland Games.
Kirkcaldy
- The 'Lang Toun', one of the largest towns in Fife.
St. Andrews
- The 'Home' of golf, and the oldest University in Scotland, wonderful beaches, and the the history of St Andrew and the saltire.
Pittenweem
- Visit this scenic fishing village and home to Pittenweem Arts Festival.
Dunfermline
- The ancient capital of Scotland, a modern city, yet bulging with history of Kings and Queens, as well as the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie.
However, much as I would love you to visit the Kingdom of Fife, if you are looking to visit other parts of Scotland, browse through Discover Scotland. This site will provide you with all the information you need. Find out about travel, what's on, where to go, what to see, our culture, our history, and all things Scottish.
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