View source for Fife

{{Short description|Council area of Scotland}}
{{About|the area in Scotland|the musical instrument|Fife (instrument)|other uses|Fife (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Fifeshire}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Fife
| native_name        = {{native name|gd|Fìobha}}
| settlement_type    = [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|Lieutenancy]] and [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|council area]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple images |border=infobox |perrow=1 2 |total_width=270px  | image1 = Crail, Fife, Scotland.jpg  | image2 = Dunfermline Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 103053.jpg  | image3 = Bunnet stane2.jpg  }}
| imagesize          = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = [[Crail]] in the [[East Neuk]], [[Dunfermline Abbey]], and the [[Bunnet Stane]]
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| etymology          = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = Fife UK location map.svg
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Fife shown within [[Scotland]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|56|15|00|N|3|12|00|W|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Scotland]]
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = 
| subdivision_type3  = [[Lieutenancy areas of Scotland|Lieutenancy area]]
| subdivision_name3  = 
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| established_title  = Unitary authority
| established_date   = [[Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994|1 April 1996]]
| established_title1 = 
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| named_for          = 
| seat_type          = Administrative{{nbsp}}HQ
| seat               = [[Fife House, Glenrothes]]
| parts_type         = 
| parts              = <!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/council-and-democracy |title=Council & Democracy |website=Fife Council |date=31 July 2019 |access-date=15 September 2024}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Local government in Scotland|Council]]
| governing_body     = [[Fife Council]]
| leader_title       = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name        = {{UK council control|GSS=S12000047}}
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| leader_title2      = 
| leader_name2       = 
| leader_title3      = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name3       = {{Collapsible list |title=4 MPs
 |[[Graeme Downie]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 |[[Wendy Chamberlain]] ([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|LD]])
 |[[Richard Baker (Scottish politician)|Richard Baker]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 |[[Melanie Ward]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 }}
| leader_title4      = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSPs]]
| leader_name4       = {{Collapsible list |title=5 MSPs
 |[[Annabelle Ewing]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Jenny Gilruth]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[Willie Rennie]] ([[Scottish Liberal Democrats|LD]])
 |[[Shirley-Anne Somerville]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 |[[David Torrance (politician)|David Torrance]] ([[Scottish National Party|SNP]])
 }}
<!-- Area -->
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->| area_footnotes     = <ref name="popstats">{{UK subdivision statistics citation}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = {{UK subdivision area|GSS=S12000047}}
| area_land_km2      = 
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| area_rank          = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council area rank|GSS=S12000047}}]]
<!-- Population -->| population_footnotes = <ref name="popstats" />
| population_as_of   = {{UK subdivision statistics year}}
| population_total   = {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000047}}
| population_rank    = [[Subdivisions of Scotland#Council areas|{{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000047}}]]
| population_density_km2 = {{UK subdivision density|GSS=S12000047}}
| population_demonym = Fifer
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = 
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1 = 
| demographics1_info1 = <!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2 = 
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| timezone1          = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1        = +0
| timezone1_DST      = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +1
<!-- Codes -->| postal_code_type   = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling codes]]
| area_code          = 
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-FIF]]
| blank1_name        = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| blank1_info        = S12000047
| website            = {{URL|fife.gov.uk}}
}}

'''Fife''' ({{IPAc-en|f|aɪ|f}} {{respell|FYFE}}, {{IPA|en|fɐi̯f|label=[[Scottish English]]:|generic=yes}}; {{langx|gd|Fìobha}} {{IPA|gd|ˈfiːvə|}}; {{langx|sco|Fife}}) is a [[council areas of Scotland|council area]] and [[lieutenancy areas of Scotland|lieutenancy area]] in [[Scotland]]. A peninsula, it is bordered by the [[Firth of Tay]] to the north, the [[North Sea]] to the east, the [[Firth of Forth]] to the south, [[Clackmannanshire]] to the south-west, and [[Perth and Kinross]] to the west. The largest settlement is the city of [[Dunfermline]], and the administrative centre is [[Glenrothes]].

Fife has an area of {{Convert|512|sqmi|km2}} and had a resident population of {{UK subdivision population|GSS=S12000047}} in {{UK subdivision statistics year}}, making it Scotland's {{Scottish council population rank|GSS=S12000047}} largest local authority area by population.<ref name="popstats" /> The population is concentrated in the south, which contains Dunfermline, [[Kirkcaldy]] and Glenrothes. The north is less densely populated, and the largest town is [[St Andrews]] on the north-east coast. The area is governed by the unitary [[Fife Council]]. It covers the same area as the [[Counties of Scotland|historic county]] of the same name.

Fife was one of the major [[Picts|Pictish]] [[monarchy|kingdoms]], known as ''Fib'', and is still commonly known as the '''Kingdom of Fife''' within Scotland. The [[University of St Andrews]] is the oldest of the [[ancient universities of Scotland]] and one of the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest universities in the world]], and the [[Old Course at St Andrews]] the world's oldest [[golf course]]. A person from Fife is known as a ''Fifer''.

==History==
Fife, bounded to the north by the [[Firth of Tay]] and to the south by the [[Firth of Forth]], is a natural peninsula whose political boundaries have changed little over the ages. The [[List of kings of the Picts|Pictish king list]] and [[De Situ Albanie]] documents of the [[Poppleton manuscript]] mention the division of the [[Picts|Pictish]] realm or [[Alba]]ny into seven sub-kingdoms, one being Fife.<ref name="Taylor">{{cite book|last=Taylor|first=Simon|title=The Place-Names of Fife, Volume 5|year=2012|publisher=Shaun Tyas|location=Donington, Lincs.|isbn=9781907730085|author2=Gilbert Márkus}}</ref>{{rp|70–72}} The earliest known reference to the common epithet ''The Kingdom of Fife'' dates from only 1678, in a proposition that the term derives from the quasi-regal privileges of the [[Earl of Fife]].<ref name=Taylor/>{{rp|132}} The notion of a kingdom may derive from a misinterpretation of an extract from [[Andrew of Wyntoun|Wyntoun]].<ref name=Taylor/>{{rp|133}} The name is recorded as ''Fib'' in A.D. 1150 and ''Fif'' in 1165. It was often associated with [[Fothriff]].

The hill-fort of [[Clatchard Craig]], near [[Newburgh, Fife|Newburgh]], was occupied as an important [[Picts|Pictish]] stronghold between the sixth and eighth centuries AD.<ref name="RCAHMS">{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=30074 |num2=NO21NW 18 |desc=Clatchard Craig |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="SAS">{{cite web|url=http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_116/116_117_184.pdf |title=Excavation Summary by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland }}</ref>

Fife was an important royal and political centre from the reign of King [[Malcolm III]] onwards, as the leaders of [[Scotland]] gradually moved southwards away from their ancient strongholds around Scone. Malcolm had his principal home in [[Dunfermline]] and his wife [[Saint Margaret of Scotland|Margaret]] was the main benefactor of [[Dunfermline Abbey]]. The Abbey replaced [[Iona]] as the final resting place of Scotland's royal elite, with [[Robert the Bruce|Robert I]] amongst those to be buried there.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=SM |num=SM90116 |desc=Dunfermline Abbey  |access-date=4 July 2025 |fewer-links=yes}} "Dunfermline has high significance as the chosen burial place of the Canmore dynasty of Scottish kings. It took on the role of Royal Mausoleum after the loss of Iona to the kingdom of Norway. Kings and Queens believed to lie buried beneath the abbey church include Queen Margaret and King Malcolm III, David I, and Robert I. The site is unparalleled in Scotland as a royal burial place, serving this role for over 250 years. After 1371, the Stewart dynasty chose to be buried elsewhere."</ref>

The Earl of Fife was until the 15th century considered the principal peer of the Scottish realm, and reserved the right of crowning the nation's monarchs, reflecting the prestige of the area.

A new royal palace was gradually constructed at [[Falkland, Fife|Falkland]], formerly the stronghold of [[Clan MacDuff]], and was used by successive monarchs of the [[House of Stuart]], who favoured Fife for its rich hunting grounds.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=GDL |num=GDL00176 |desc=FALKLAND PALACE |access-date=4 July 2025 |fewer-links=yes}} "Falkland Palace was used as a home where the Stuarts could relax, play tennis, practise archery and hunt deer, wild boar, and ride out hawking in the Forest of Falkland."</ref>

King [[James VI of Scotland]] described Fife, in {{Langx|sco|"beggar's mantle fringed wi gowd"|label=[[Middle Scots]], as a}}<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zqq8BQAAQBAJ&q=James+%22beggar%27s+mantle+fringed+wi+gowd%22&pg=PT79|title=A Dictionary of Scottish Phrase and Fable|isbn=9780857906373|last1=Crofton|first1=Ian|date=5 November 2012|publisher=Birlinn }}</ref> the golden fringe being the coast and its chain of little ports with their thriving fishing fleets and rich trading links with the [[Low Countries]]. [[Wool]], [[linen]], [[coal]] and [[salt]] were all traded. [[Open-pan salt making|Salt pans]] heated by local coal were historically a feature of the Fife coast. The distinctive red clay pan tiles seen on many old buildings in Fife arrived as ballast on trading boats and replaced the previously thatched roofs.

In 1598, King James VI employed a group of 11 men from Fife, who became known as the [[Fife adventurers]], to colonise the [[Isle of Lewis]] in an attempt to begin the "civilisation" and de-gaelicisation of the region.<ref name="keay">{{cite book|last=Keay|first=John & Julia|title=Collins Encyclopedia of Scotland|year=1994|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-00-255082-6|page=370}}</ref> This endeavour lasted until 1609 when the colonists, having been opposed by the native population, were bought out by [[Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Lord Mackenzie of Kintail|Kenneth Mackenzie]], the [[Scottish clan chief|clan chief]] of the [[Clan Mackenzie|Mackenzies]].<ref name="keay"/>

Fife became a centre of heavy industry in the 19th century. Coal had been mined in the area since at least the 12th century, but the number of pits increased ten-fold as demand for coal grew in the Victorian period. Previously rural villages such as [[Cowdenbeath]] rapidly swelled into towns as thousands moved to Fife to find work in its mines. The opening of the [[Forth Bridge|Forth]] and [[Tay Rail Bridge|Tay]] rail bridges linked Fife with Dundee and Edinburgh and allowed the rapid transport of goods. Modern ports were constructed at [[Methil, Fife|Methil]], [[Burntisland]] and [[Rosyth]]. Kirkcaldy became the world centre for the production of [[linoleum]]. [[Postwar]] Fife saw the development of Scotland's second [[New town#United Kingdom|new town]], [[Glenrothes]]. Originally to provide housing for miners at a new coal mine, the town eventually attracted a high number of modern [[Silicon Glen]] companies to the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/glenrothes-and-markinch-p238971|title=Glenrothes And Markinch Visitor Guide - Accommodation, Things To Do & More|website=www.visitscotland.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/3300158/rothes-colliery/|title=Rothes Colliery: When the ill-fated Glenrothes coal mine was blasted into rubble|first=Kate|last=Brown|date=17 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/glenrothes-70-scandal-art-and-royalty-278057|title=Glenrothes at 70 - scandal, art and royalty|date=5 July 2018|website=www.fifetoday.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2UcB50hV7EC&dq=glenrothes+%22silicon+glen%22&pg=PA68 | isbn=9781853025013 | title=The Professional Engineer in Society | year=1989 | publisher=Jessica Kingsley Publishers }}</ref> Fife Council and Fife Constabulary also centre their operations in Glenrothes.

There are numerous notable historical buildings in Fife, some of which are managed by the [[National Trust for Scotland]] or [[Historic Scotland]]. They include Dunfermline Abbey (the last resting place of Scottish royalty), the palace in Culross, Ravenscraig Castle in Kirkcaldy, Dysart Harbour area, [[Balgonie Castle]] near Coaltown of Balgonie, Falkland Palace (hunting palace of the Scottish Kings), Kellie Castle near Pittenweem, [[Hill of Tarvit]] (a historical house), St. Andrews Castle, [[St Andrews Cathedral|St. Andrews Cathedral]] and [[St Andrews Cathedral#St Rule's tower|St. Rule's Tower]].

===Administrative history===
[[File:A new map of Scotland with the roads (8643653080).jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|right|Map of Scottish provinces in 1689 showing the earldom of Fife, which included Kinross and Clackmannan.]]
Fife was one of the ancient [[provinces of Scotland]], under the authority of the [[Mormaer]] or [[Earl of Fife]]. The early province of Fife appears to have covered only that part of the later county lying east of a line from [[Newburgh, Fife|Newburgh]] to [[Scoonie]]. The western part of the later county was in the province of [[Fothriff]], which also covered areas that would later become [[Kinross-shire]] and part of [[Clackmannanshire]], including the town of [[Clackmannan]]. By the early thirteenth century Fothriff had been joined to the earldom of Fife. Sometime between the reign of [[David I of Scotland|David I]] (reigned 1124–1153) and the mid-thirteenth century, this part of Scotland was divided into [[shires of Scotland|shires]], being areas administered by a [[sheriff principal|sheriff]]. Kinross and Clackmannan were each given their own sheriffs, whilst the rest of the Fife and Fothriff area was placed under the authority of the [[Sheriff of Fife and Kinross|Sheriff of Fife]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chalmers |first1=George |title=Caledonia (Volume 7) |date=1894 |publisher=Alexander Gardner |location=Paisley |pages=112–119 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Dg6AQAAMAAJ |access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref>

Over time, Scotland's shires became more significant than the old provinces, with more administrative functions being given to the sheriffs. The larger earldom of Fife, including Kinross and Clackmannan, was therefore gradually eclipsed in importance by the smaller shire of Fife. In 1667 [[Commissioners of Supply]] were established for each shire, which would serve as the main administrative body for the area until the creation of county councils in 1890. Following the [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]] in 1707, the English term "county" came to be used interchangeably with the older term "shire".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Keith |title=Act of the convention of estates of the kingdom of Scotland etc. for a new and voluntary offer to his majesty of £72,000 monthly for the space of twelve months, 23 January 1667 |url=http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1667/1/10 |website=Records of the Parliament of Scotland |publisher=University of St Andrews |access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref>

Elected county councils were established in 1890 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889]], taking most of the functions of the commissioners (which were eventually abolished in 1930). The two [[burgh]]s of [[Dunfermline]] and [[Kirkcaldy]] were deemed capable of managing their own affairs and so were excluded from the administrative area of the county council.<ref>Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, c. 50</ref> The 1889 act also led to a review of boundaries, with several [[exclave]]s being transferred to a county they actually bordered, and parishes which straddled more than one county being adjusted such that each parish was entirely in a single county. These changes saw some adjustments to Fife's boundaries with Kinross-shire and Perthshire, with the most significant change being that Fife gained the two parishes of [[Culross]] and [[Tulliallan]], which had previously formed an exclave of Perthshire.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shennan |first1=Hay |title=Boundaries of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 |date=1892 |publisher=W. Green |location=Edinburgh |page=249 |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_meygAAAAMAAJ/page/n285/mode/2up?q=fife |access-date=22 April 2023}}</ref> Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy were brought within the administrative area of the county council in 1930, but classed as [[large burgh]]s, allowing them to continue to deliver many local government functions themselves.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929|year=1929|chapter=25|accessdate=22 April 2023}}</ref>

[[File:County buildings, Cupar.jpg|thumb|[[County Buildings, Cupar]], the former headquarters of Fife County Council]]
Fife County Council was based at [[County Buildings, Cupar|County Buildings]] in Catherine Street in [[Cupar]], which had been built in 1817 as the county's sheriff court and meeting place for the commissioners of supply, replacing the town's medieval [[tolbooth]] which had performed the same functions.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num= LB24160|desc= County Buildings and former Court House, excluding 4-storey offices and police station adjoining to rear and single storey block to east, St Catherine Street, Cupar|access-date=18 July 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|cat=PLA |num=31497 |num2=NO31SE 17 |desc=Cupar, Tolbooth |access-date=4 July 2025 |fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

Fife County Council was abolished in 1975 under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]], which replaced Scotland's counties, burghs and [[List of local government areas in Scotland (1930–1975)|landward districts]] with a two-tier structure of upper-tier [[Local government areas of Scotland (1975–1996)|regions]] and lower-tier [[districts of Scotland|districts]]. Fife region was created covering the same area as the county, divided into three [[Regions and districts of Scotland|district]]s: [[Dunfermline (district)|Dunfermline]], [[Kirkcaldy (district)|Kirkcaldy]] and [[North-East Fife (district)|North-East Fife]]. In 1996 the district councils were abolished and Fife Regional Council became a [[unitary authority]] known as Fife Council. Fife is one of the six local authorities in the [[City region#United Kingdom|city region]] of Edinburgh and southeast Scotland.

There was a [[parliamentary constituency]] of [[Fife (UK Parliament constituency)|Fife]] in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom]] until 1885 and the [[Fife (Parliament of Scotland constituency)|Fife constituency]] in the [[Parliament of Scotland]] until the [[Acts of Union 1707]].

==Governance==
{{main|Fife Council}}
[[File:Fife House, Glenrothes.jpg|thumb|140px|left|[[Fife House, Glenrothes|Fife House]], seat of Fife Council]]
Fife is represented by five constituency members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and four members of the United Kingdom parliament (MPs) who are sent to [[Scottish Parliament|Holyrood]] and the [[British Parliament]] respectively. Following the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]], all four of the MPs constituencies were held by the [[Scottish National Party]].<ref name="MPs of Fife">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/?search_term=Fife |title=MPs of Fife |access-date=1 August 2015 |work=Parliament UK }}</ref> In the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], [[Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath]] was regained by [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]].<ref name="Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath">{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000041 | title=Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath parliamentary constituency – Election 2017| work=BBC News}}</ref> At the same election, the seat of [[North East Fife (UK Parliament constituency)|North East Fife]] became the closest seat in the country with the SNP holding a majority of 2 over the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000049 | title=Fife North East parliamentary constituency – Election 2017| work=BBC News}}</ref> Three of the Scottish Parliament constituencies are held by the [[Scottish National Party]]: [[Cowdenbeath (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Cowdenbeath]], [[Dunfermline (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Dunfermline]] and [[Mid Fife and Glenrothes (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Mid Fife and Glenrothes]]. One is held by the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]]: [[North East Fife (Scottish Parliament constituency)|North East Fife]].<ref name="Scottish Election Results 2016 Results">{{cite news |title=Scotland Election 2016|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2016/scotland/results | work=BBC News}}</ref>

[[Fife Council]]'s administrative headquarters and [[Police Scotland]]'s P Division (formerly [[Fife Constabulary]]) are based in [[Glenrothes]]. The Council meetings take place in [[Fife House, Glenrothes|Fife House]] in the town centre. The west wing of the building was built by the Glenrothes Development Corporation (GDC) as their offices in 1969, which was later used as the headquarters of Fife Regional Council from shortly after its creation in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |title=Briefly |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=22 April 2023 |work=Aberdeen Press and Journal |date=26 November 1975 |page=15 |quote=...at the last meeting of Fife Regional Council to take place in County Hall, Cupar, before they move to Fife House, Glenrothes...}}</ref><ref name="Ferguson p91">Ferguson ''A History of Glenrothes'' p.91.</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:FIFE & KINROSS SHIRES Civil Parish map.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Fifeshire & Kinross-shire Civil Parish map,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/imperialgazettee01wils#page/n778/mode/1up |title=The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland; or, Dictionary of Scottish topography |date=21 July 2010 |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> with parishes outlined in red]]

[[File:Fife UK ward map 2017 (blank).svg|thumb|right|400px|Fife is divided into 22 wards, each electing council members of the [[Fife Council]].]]

Fife is a [[peninsula]] in eastern Scotland bordered on the north by the [[Firth of Tay]], on the east by the [[North Sea]] and by the [[Firth of Forth]] to the south. The route to the west is partially blocked by the mass of the [[Ochil Hills]]. Almost all road traffic into and out of Fife has to pass over one of four bridges, south on the [[Forth Road Bridge]] (public transport and cyclists only) and [[Queensferry Crossing]], west on the [[Kincardine Bridge]] or north-east via the [[Tay Road Bridge]], the exception being traffic headed north on the [[M90 motorway|M90]]. Tolls were abolished on the Tay Road Bridge and Forth Road Bridge on 11 February 2008.

There are extinct [[volcanic]] features, such as the [[Lomond Hills]] which rise above rolling farmland, and [[Largo Law]], a [[volcanic plug]] in the east. At {{convert|522|m}}, the [[West Lomond]] is the highest point in Fife. The coast has fine but small harbours, from the industrial docks in [[Burntisland]] and [[Rosyth]] to the fishing villages of the [[East Neuk]] such as [[Anstruther]] and [[Pittenweem]]. The large area of flat land to the north of the Lomond Hills, through which the [[River Eden, Fife|River Eden]] flows, is known as the [[Howe of Fife]].

[[File:Northeast Fife.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Looking across the farmland of North East Fife to the distant [[Lomond Hills]]]]
North of the Lomond Hills can be found villages and small towns in a primarily agricultural landscape. The areas in the south and west of Fife, including the towns of [[Dunfermline]], [[Glenrothes]], [[Kirkcaldy]] and the [[Levenmouth]] region are lightly industrial and more densely populated. The only areas which could claim to be heavily industrial are [[Rosyth]], around the naval dockyard and perhaps the Mossmorran Natural Gas Liquids fractionation plant on the outskirts of Cowdenbeath.

The east corner of Fife, along the string of villages between [[Earlsferry]] and [[Kingsbarns]], and along with their hinterland, is known as the East Neuk (corner, or projecting point of land) of Fife;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=1652 |title=Fife Place-name Data :: The East Neuk |publisher=Fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk |access-date=16 April 2020}}</ref> small settlements around sheltered harbours, with distinctive vernacular "Dutch" or [[crow-stepped gable|corbie (crow) stepped gabled]] and stone-built architecture. The area has amongst the highest concentration of second homes and holiday lets in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Evans|first1=Anna|last2=Graham|first2=Eddy|last3=Rae|first3=Alasdair|last4=Robertson|first4=Douglas|last5=Serpa|first5=Regina|date=October 2019|title=Research into the impact of short-term lets on communities across Scotland|url=https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/research-and-analysis/2019/10/research-impact-short-term-lets-communities-scotland/documents/people-communities-places-research-impact-short-term-lets-communities-scotland/people-communities-places-research-impact-short-term-lets-communities-scotland/govscot%3Adocument/people-communities-places-research-impact-short-term-lets-communities-scotland.pdf|website=Scottish Government|publisher=The Indigo House Group in association with IBP Strategy and Research}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/why-the-east-neuk-has-lasting-appeal-7266ztjxh |title=Why the East Neuk has lasting appeal &#124; Bricks & Mortar |work=The Times |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/1261234/visitors-stay-away-but-second-home-owners-remain-in-east-neuk-villages/ |title = Visitors stay away but second home owners remain in East Neuk villages| date=13 April 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/empty-and-second-homes-causing-housing-crisis-1428771 |title=Empty and second homes causing housing crisis |publisher=The Scotsman |date=6 June 2018 |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> The [[Fishing industry in Scotland|fishing industry]], on which the coastal East Neuk settlements were built, has declined in recent years with the main fishing fleet now operating from Pittenweem and the harbour in Anstruther being used as a marina for pleasure craft.

There are several islands located off the coast of Fife, such as the [[Isle of May]], [[Inchkeith]] and [[Inchcolm]]. The former [[Preston Island]] south of [[Valleyfield, Fife|Valleyfield]] is no longer an island following land reclamation work.

==Demography==
=== Languages ===
The 2022 Scottish Census reported that out of 362,143 residents aged three and over:
* 134,659 (37.2%) considered themselves able to speak or read the [[Scots language|Scots language]].<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a1a62-eab8-76fc-98d0-f7e8423a5077]</ref>
* 2,696 (0.8%) considered themselves able to speak or read [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]].<ref>[https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a2022-ecdd-77ea-96ad-569f0c5b3786</ref>

===Ethnicity===
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
|+ 
! rowspan="2" |Ethnic Group
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Census Dissemination Unit |first=Mimas |date=5 May 2011 |title=InFuse |url=https://infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk |language=English}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland's Census 2011&nbsp;– Table KS201SC |url=http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html |publisher=scotlandscensus.gov.uk |access-date=3 November 2015 |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107044126/https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html%20 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2022<ref name="2022census_Scot">{{cite web |url=https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/trbdxzme/scotland-s-census-2022-ethnic-group-national-identity-language-and-religion-chart-data.xlsx |title=Scotland's Census 2022 - Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion - Chart data |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=21 May 2024 |website=Scotland's Census |publisher=[[National Records of Scotland]] |access-date=21 May 2024 }} [https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/search-by Alternative URL] 'Search data by location' > 'Local Authority (CA2019)' > 'Fife' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Ethnic Group'</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
![[White people|White]]: Total
!345,003
!98.73%
!356,550
!97.63%
!356,885
!95.99%
|-
|White: [[Scottish people|Scottish]]
| 308,380
| 88.25%
| 312,957
| 85.70%
| 302,087
| 81.25% 
|-
|White: [[White British|Other British]]
| 29,827
| 8.54%
| 31,464
| 8.62%
| 36,025 
| 9.69% 
|-
|White: [[Irish Briton|Irish]]
| 2,147
| 0.61%
| 2,260
| 0.62%
| 2,658
| 0.71%
|-
|White: [[Irish Traveller|Gypsy/Traveller]]<ref group="note" name="auto">New category created for the 2011 census</ref>
| –
| –
| 316
| –
| 277
| –
|-
|White: [[White Polish|Polish]]<ref name="auto" group="note" />
| –
| –
| 3,058
| 0.84%
| 5,491
| 1.48%
|-
|White: [[White Other (United Kingdom Census)|Other]]
| 4,649
| 1.33%
| 6,495
| 1.78%
| 10,347
| 2.78%
|-
![[Asian people|Asian]], [[Asian-Scots|Asian Scottish]] or [[British Asian|Asian British]]: Total
! 2,734
! 0.78%
! 5,748
! 1.57%
! 8,014
! 2.16%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Indian|Indian]]
| 514
| 0.15%
| 1,066
| 0.29%
| 1,732
| 0.47%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Pakistani|Pakistani]]
| 1,199
| 0.34%
| 1,902
| 0.52%
| 2,599
| 0.70%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Bangladeshi|Bangladeshi]]
| 72
| 0.02%
| 118
| –
| 212
| 0.06%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
| 750
| 0.21%
| 1,735
| 0.48%
| 1,878
| 0.51%
|-
|Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: [[British Asian|Asian Other]]
| 199
| 0.06%
| 927
| 0.25%
| 1,596
| 0.43%
|-
![[Black people|Black]], [[Black Scottish people|Black Scottish]] or [[Black British]]<ref group="note">Category restructured for the 2011 census</ref>
! 93
! –
! –
! –
! –
! –
|-
![[Black people|African]]: Total
! 286
! 0.08%
! 704
! 0.19%
! 1,355
! 0.36%
|-
|African: [[Black people|African]], [[Black Scottish people|African Scottish]] or [[Black British|African British]]
| –
| –
| 684
| 0.19%
| 175
| –
|-
|African: [[Black British|Other African]]
| –
| –
| 20
| –
| 1,179
| 0.39%
|-
![[British African-Caribbean community|Caribbean]] or [[Black British|Black]]: Total
! –
! –
! 422
! 0.12%
! 316
! 0.08%
|-
|[[British African-Caribbean community|Caribbean]]
| 113
| –
| 234
| 0.06%
| 125
| –
|-
|[[Black British|Black]]
| –
| –
| 141
| –
| 28
| –
|-
|Caribbean or Black: [[Other Black|Other]]
| –
| –
| 47
| –
| 164
| –
|-
![[British Mixed|Mixed or multiple ethnic groups]]: Total
! 757
! 0.22%
! 1,257
! 0.34%
! 3,312
! 0.89%
|-
!Other: Total
! 443
! 0.13%
! 517
! 0.14%
! 1,899
! 0.51%
|-
|Other: [[British Arabs|Arab]]<ref group="note" name="auto"/>
| –
| –
| 299
| 0.08%
| 653
| 0.18%
|-
|Other: Any other ethnic group
| –
| –
| 218
| 0.06%
| 1,236
| 0.33%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Total:
!349,429
!100.00%
!365,198
!100.00%
!371,781
!100.00%
|}

==Settlements==
{{Location map+|Scotland Fife
 |caption={{left|The largest settlements in Fife}}
 |float=right
 |width=500
 |places =
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.07192|lon_deg=-3.43930|position=left|label='''[[Dunfermline]]'''|label_size=}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.11073|lon_deg=-3.16737|label='''[[Kirkcaldy]]'''  |label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.19800|lon_deg=-3.17800|position=bottom|label='''[[Glenrothes]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.34040|lon_deg=-2.79550|position=right|label='''[[St Andrews]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.03388|lon_deg=-3.43226|position=left|label='''[[Rosyth]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.11000|lon_deg=-3.35000|position=left|label='''[[Cowdenbeath]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.18440|lon_deg=-3.02230|position=right|label='''[[Methil]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.04295|lon_deg=-3.36755|position=right|label='''[[Dalgety Bay]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.19500|lon_deg=-2.99416|label='''[[Leven, Fife|Leven]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.32000|lon_deg=-3.01000|label='''[[Cupar]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.12816|lon_deg=-3.31109|position=right|label='''[[Lochgelly|{{break}}Lochg.]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.133|-3.380|}}|position=left|label='''[[Kelty]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.06000|lon_deg=-3.23100|label='''[[Burntisland]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.15|lon_deg=-3.333333|position=top|label='''[[Ballingry]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.13300|lon_deg=-3.25000|position=right|label='''[[Cardenden|{{nowrap|Cardenden}}]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.03180|lon_deg=-3.39713|position=right|label='''[[Inverkeithing]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.20000|lon_deg=-3.05000|position=top|label='''[[Kennoway]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.44017|lon_deg=-2.94103|position=left|label='''[[Newport-on-Tay]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.17760|lon_deg=-3.03030|position=bottom|label='''[[Buckhaven]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.22344|lon_deg=-2.70274|position=right|label='''[[Anstruther]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.44670|lon_deg=-2.87960|position=right|label='''[[Tayport]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.38140|lon_deg=-2.88350|position=right|label='''[[Leuchars]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.20204|lon_deg=-3.21145|position=left|label='''[[Leslie, Fife|Leslie]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.06900|lon_deg=-3.71900|position=top|label='''[[Kincardine, Fife|Kincardine]]'''|label_size=85}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|lat_deg=56.07000|lon_deg=-3.17000|label='''[[Kinghorn]]'''|label_size=85}}

<!-- Bordering council areas -->
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.3|-3.45|}}|position=left|label=''[[Perth and Kinross#Settlements|Perth and Kinross]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.478|-2.90|}}|position=left|label=''[[Dundee City (council area)|Dundee]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|55.96|-2.98|}}|position=right|label=''[[East Lothian#Settlements|East<br />Lothian]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|55.963|-3.34|}}|position=right|label=''[[City of Edinburgh (council area)#Settlements|City of Edinburgh]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|55.958|-3.62|}}|position=right|label=''[[West Lothian#Settlements|West<br />Lothian]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|55.97|-3.79|}}|position=right|label=''[[Falkirk (council area)#Settlements|Falkirk]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
  {{Location map~|Scotland Fife|coordinates = {{coord|56.135|-3.79|}}|position=right|label=''[[Clackmannanshire#Settlements|Clack.]]''|marksize=0|label_size=120}}
}}

[[Cupar]] took over as [[county town]] from [[Crail]] in the early 13th century. [[Glenrothes]] is now the administrative centre, after the decision to locate the headquarters of the newly established Fife Regional Council there in 1975. Fife's three major towns are [[Kirkcaldy]], [[Dunfermline]] (awarded [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]] in 2022) and Glenrothes. According to the 2012 estimate, Dunfermline is the largest settlement by population,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mid 2012 population estimates of settlements |url=http://gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/population-estimates/special-area/mid-2012-settlement/2012-pop-est-sett-local-main-tab3a.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027175925/http://gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/population-estimates/special-area/mid-2012-settlement/2012-pop-est-sett-local-main-tab3a.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2014 }}</ref> followed by [[Kirkcaldy]] then Glenrothes. The next most sizeable towns by population are [[St Andrews]], [[Cowdenbeath]], [[Rosyth]], [[Methil]] and [[Dalgety Bay]].

Largest settlements by population:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Settlement
!Population ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dunfermline]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Dunfermline}}
|-
|[[Kirkcaldy]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kirkcaldy and Dysart}}
|-
|[[Glenrothes]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Glenrothes}}
|-
|[[St Andrews]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=St Andrews}}
|-
|[[Rosyth]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Rosyth}}
|-
|[[Cowdenbeath]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Cowdenbeath and Lumphinnans}}
|-
|[[Methil]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Methil}}
|-
|[[Dalgety Bay]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Dalgety Bay and Hillend}}
|-
|[[Leven, Fife|Leven]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Leven}}
|-
|[[Cupar]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Cupar}}
|-
|[[Lochgelly]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Lochgelly}}
|-
|[[Kelty]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kelty}}{{efn|Part of [[Kelty]] is located in [[Perth and Kinross]].}}
|-
|[[Burntisland]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Burntisland}}
|-
|[[Ballingry]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Ballingry, Lochore and Crosshill}}
|-
|[[Cardenden]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Cardenden and Auchterderran}}
|-
|[[Inverkeithing]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Inverkeithing}}
|-
|[[Kennoway]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kennoway}}
|-
|[[Newport-on-Tay]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Newport-on-Tay and Wormit}}
|-
|[[Buckhaven]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Buckhaven}}
|-
||[[Anstruther]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Anstruther}}
|-
|[[Tayport]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Tayport}}
|-
|[[Leuchars]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Leuchars}}
|-
|[[Leslie, Fife|Leslie]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Leslie}}
|-
|[[Kincardine, Fife|Kincardine]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kincardine}}
|-
|[[Kinghorn]]
|{{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Kinghorn}}
|}
{{notelist}}

===Historic parishes===
The county was formerly divided into parishes, often but not always based on a town or village:
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Abbotshall]]
* [[Abdie]]
* [[Aberdour]]
* [[Anstruther Easter]]
* [[Anstruther Wester]]
* [[Arngask]] (to [[Perthshire]] in 1891)
* [[Auchterderran]]
* [[Auchtermuchty]]
* [[Auchtertool]]
* [[Ballingry]]
* [[Balmerino]]
* [[Beath]]
* [[Buckhaven]]
* [[Burntisland]]
* [[Cameron, Fife|Cameron]]
* [[Carnbee, Scotland|Carnbee]]
* [[Carnock]]
* [[Cellardyke]]
* [[Ceres, Fife|Ceres]]
* [[Collessie]]
* [[Cowdenbeath]]
* [[Crail]]
* [[Creich, Fife|Creich]]
* [[Crossgates, Fife|Crossgates]]
* [[Culross]] (to Fife from Perthshire, 1891)
* [[Cults, Fife|Cults]]
* [[Cupar]]
* [[Dairsie]]
* [[Dalgety Bay|Dalgety]]
* [[Dunbog]]
* [[Dunfermline]]
* [[Dunino]]
* [[Dysart, Fife|Dysart]]
* [[Elie and Earlsferry|Elie]]
* [[Falkland, Fife|Falkland]]
* [[Tayport|Ferry Port on Craig]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/parish/?id=38|title=Fife Place-name Data :: Parish: Ferry-Port-on-Craig|website=fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk}}</ref>
* [[Flisk]]
* [[Forgan (Fife)|Forgan]]
* [[Freuchie]]
* [[Glenrothes]]
* [[Inverkeithing]]
* [[Kelty]]
* [[Kemback]]
* [[Kennoway]]
* [[Kilconquhar]]
* [[Kilmany]]
* [[Kilrenny]]
* [[Kinghorn]]
* [[Kinglassie]]
* [[Kingsbarns]]
* [[Kingskettle]]
* [[Kirkcaldy]]
* [[Ladybank]]
* [[Largo, Fife|Largo]]
* [[Leslie, Fife|Leslie]]
* [[Leuchars]]
* [[Leven, Fife|Leven]]
* [[Lochgelly]]
* [[Logie, Fife|Logie]]
* [[Lumphinnans]]
* [[Markinch]]
* [[Methil]]
* [[Monimail]]
* [[Moonzie]]
* [[Newburgh, Fife|Newburgh]]
* [[Newburn, Fife|Newburn]]
* [[Pitlessie]]
* [[Pittenweem]]
* [[Rosyth]]
* [[Saline, Fife|Saline]]
* [[Scoonie]]
* [[St Andrews|St Andrews & St Leonards]]
* [[St Monance]] (and Abercrombie)
* [[Strathmiglo]]
* [[Thornton, Fife|Thornton]]
* [[Torryburn]]
* [[Wellwood, Fife|Wellwood]]
* [[Wemyss, Fife|Wemyss]]
* [[Wormit]]
{{div col end}}
{{Clear}}

===Communities===
Fife is divided into 105 [[list of community council areas in Scotland|community council areas]], 85 of which have [[community council]]s as at 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Community Councils |url=https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/council-and-democracy/politicians-and-committees/community-councils/asset-listings/community-councils |website=Fife Council |date=8 March 2021 |access-date=22 April 2023 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Falkland Palace.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Falkland Palace]]]]
[[File:17thC Scottish Lowland farm.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Scottish Lowlands]] farm. Detail from Slezer's Prospect of Dunfermline, 1693]]
[[File:The Lomond Hills seen from Auchtermuchty, Howe of Fife.JPG|thumb|250px|A closer view of the [[Lomond Hills]], seen from [[Auchtermuchty]]]]

Fife contains 4,961 [[listed buildings]] and 48 [[conservation area]]s.<ref name="Fife's listed buildings">{{cite web |url=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings/listedbuildingsresults.htm?p_out=xml&p_all=Fife&p_couname=Fife&p_parbur=0 |title=Fife's listed buildings |publisher=Historic Scotland |access-date=25 August 2009 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190936/http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings/listedbuildingsresults.htm?p_out=xml&p_all=Fife&p_couname=Fife&p_parbur=0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Domestic sites of importance include [[Falkland Palace]], [[Kellie Castle]], [[Dunfermline Palace]], [[St Andrews Castle]], [[Culross Palace]] and Kirkcaldy's [[Ravenscraig Castle]]. Fife also has a number of [[church (building)|ecclesiastical sites]] of historical interest. [[St Andrew's Cathedral, St Andrews|St Andrews Cathedral]] was home to the powerful [[Archbishop of St Andrews|Archbishopric of St Andrews]], and later became a centre of the [[Scottish Reformation]], while [[Dunfermline Abbey]] was the last resting place of a number of Scottish kings. [[Balmerino Abbey|Balmerino]] and [[Culross Abbey|Culross]] abbeys were both founded in the 13th century by the [[Cistercians]], while a century before [[Lindores Abbey]] was founded by the [[Tironensians]] outside [[Newburgh, Fife|Newburgh]]; all were highly important sites.

The [[Stanza Poetry Festival]], [[East Neuk Festival]], and Pittenweem Arts Festival are events of national cultural importance. Smaller festivals like the [[Cupar Arts Festival]] and Largo Arts Week also take place. The [[Byre Theatre]] in St Andrews and Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy are both highly regarded as touring venues, the latter also being the base of the [[grand opera]] [[opera company|company]] [[Fife Opera]]. The Byre has re-opened in Autumn, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/byre-theatre-to-reopen-after-university-of-st-andrews-agree-rescue-package.1408445352|title=Byre Theatre to reopen after University of St Andrews agree rescue package|work=Herald Scotland|date=19 August 2014 }}</ref> following its going into [[Administration (law)|administration]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-21211928|title=Byre Theatre in St Andrews board 'deeply regrets' closure|date=26 January 2013|access-date=21 October 2013|work=BBC News}}</ref> The Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline and Rothes Halls in Glenrothes are also popular venues for touring musicians, theatre companies, comedians and local musical theatre groups to perform.

Dunfermline Children's Gala is an annual event, held in June and is the largest gala in Fife.{{fact|date=April 2025}} Primary school pupils parade through the centre of the city to Pittencrieff Park. It began in 1902 and is now organised by a charity and funded entirely by donations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dunfermlinegala.com/history-of-the-gala/|title=History of the Gala – Dunfermline Children's Gala}}</ref>

==Places of interest==
[[File:Fife Coastal Path, Blair Point - geograph.org.uk - 3234523.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Fife Coastal Path]]]]
[[File:Forth Bridge 2022.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Forth Bridge]]]]
[[File:St.Andrews Abbey Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[St Andrews Cathedral]]]]
[[File:+Am Ende des 22. Jahrhunderts wurde mit dem Bau von ST Andrews Castle begonnen.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[St Andrews Castle]]]]
[[File:Isle of May panorama.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Isle of May]]]]
[[File:A constellation of starfish (26705635884).jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Deep Sea World]]]]
[[File:Swilken Bridge, Old Course geograph-6310525-by-Gordon-Hatton.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Swilcan Bridge]]]]
[[File:AbteiDunfermline.JPG|thumb|right|250px|[[Dunfermline Abbey]]]]
[[File:Gardens in Pittencrieff Park.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Pittencrieff Park]]]]

* [[Aberdour Castle]]
* [[Balbirnie Stone Circle]]
* [[Balfarg]]
* [[Balgonie Castle]]
* [[Balmerino Abbey]]
* [[Bunnet Stane]]
* [[Cambo Estate]]
* [[Caves of Caiplie]]
* [[Church of St Mary on the Rock]]
* [[Craigtoun Country Park]]
* [[Culross Abbey]]
* [[Deep Sea World]]
* [[Dunfermline Abbey]]
* [[Dunfermline Palace]]
* [[Falkland Palace]]
* [[Fife Coastal Path]]
* [[Fife Folk Museum]]
* [[Fife Heritage Railway]]
* [[Fife Pilgrim Way]]
* [[Forth Bridge]]
* [[Inchcolm Abbey]]
* [[Isle of May]]
* [[Kellie Castle]]
* Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre
* [[Kirkcaldy Galleries]]
* [[Lindores Abbey]]
* [[Lindores Abbey distillery]]
* [[Links Market]]
* [[Lochore Meadows]]
* [[Lomond Hills Regional Park]]
* Lundin Links standing stones
* [[MacDuff's Cross]]
* [[Museum of the University of St Andrews]]
* [[Newark Castle, Fife|Newark Castle]]
* [[Norman's Law]]
* [[Ochil Hills]]
* [[Old Course at St Andrews]]
* [[Pittencrieff Park]]
* [[Ravenscraig Castle]]
* [[Reaper (sailing vessel)]]
* [[Riverside Park, Glenrothes]]
* [[Rosyth Castle]]
* Scotland's Secret Bunker
* [[Scottish Deer Centre]]
* [[Scottish Fisheries Museum]]
* [[Seafield Tower]]
* St Andrews Aquarium
* [[St Andrews Castle]]
* [[St Andrews Cathedral]]
* [[St Andrews Museum]]
* [[Swilcan Bridge]]
* [[Tay Rail Bridge]]
* [[Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve]]
* [[R&A World Golf Museum]]

==Notable Fifers==
* [[Robert Adam]], architect
* [[Stuart Adamson]], musician ([[Big Country]], [[the Skids]])
* [[Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken]], [[Lieutenant]] in the 13th, [[Bengal Native Infantry]], awarded the [[Victoria Cross]]
*[[William Allan (classicist)|William Allan]], classicist at the University of Oxford
* [[Ian Anderson (musician)|Ian Anderson]], musician, frontman of [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]]
* [[Iain Banks]], writer
* [[Lady Anne Barnard]], travel writer, artist and socialite of the period
* [[Andrew Whyte Barclay]], physician, [[Lumleian Lecturer|Lumleian lecturer]], and [[Harveian Orator|Harveian orator]]
* [[Jim Baxter]], footballer
* [[David Beaton|David Bethune]], Archbishop of St Andrews
* [[George Bethune (politician)|George Bethune]], MSP for Kilrenny
* [[James Beaton|James Bethune]], Archbishop of St Andrews
* [[James Beaton (archbishop of Glasgow)|James Bethune]], Archbishop of Glasgow
* [[Janet Beaton|Janet Bethune]], noblewoman
* [[Mary Beaton|Mary Bethune]], attendant of [[Mary, Queen of Scots]]
* [[Elizabeth Bethune]], mistress of King [[James V of Scotland]]
* [[Guy Berryman]], bassist from the band [[Coldplay]]
* [[James Black (pharmacologist)|Sir James Black]], pharmacologist and nobel prize winner
* Sir [[Ernley Blackwell]], lawyer and civil servant
* [[Edith Bowman]], BBC Radio 1/6 DJ
* [[Caroline Brazier (librarian)|Caroline Brazier]], librarian
* [[Gordon Brown]], former British Prime Minister and [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] and former MP for [[Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath]]
* [[Scott Brown (footballer, born June 1985)|Scott Brown]], [[Scotland]] and [[Celtic F.C.]] footballer
* [[Gregory Burke]], playwright
* [[Kenn Burke]], ballet dancer
* [[Andrew Carnegie]], industrialist and philanthropist
* [[Henry Chisholm]], steel industry executive
* [[Jim Clark]], two-times Formula One World Drivers' Champion
* [[James Clephan]], Lieutenant on board [[HMS Spartiate (1798)|HMS ''Spartiate'']] during the [[Battle of Trafalgar]]
* [[Archibald Constable]], publisher, bookseller and stationer
* [[Kenneth Cranham]], actor
* [[King Creosote]], musician
* [[Lawrence Daly]], General Secretary of the NUM
* [[David Danskin]], principal founding member of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal FC]]
* [[James Dewar (judge)|James Dewar]], judge
* [[Barbara Dickson]], singer and actress
* [[Thomas Millie Dow]], artist, a member of the [[Glasgow School]]
* [[Peter Dumbreck]], racing driver and [[1998 Macau Grand Prix]] winner
* [[Philip Charles Durham]], sailor and captain of [[HMS Defiance (1783)|HMS ''Defiance'']] at [[Battle of Trafalgar|Trafalgar]]
* [[Marjorie Fleming]], child writer and poet
* [[Sandford Fleming|Sir Sandford Fleming]], engineer, who proposed worldwide standard [[time zones]], engineered on the [[Intercolonial Railway]] and the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]]
* [[Valentine Fleming]], member of parliament and father of the author [[Ian Fleming]]
* [[John Forbes (British Army officer)|John Forbes]], named the city of [[Pittsburgh]]
* [[Chris Fusaro]], rugby player
* [[William Gear]], artist
* [[Emelia Geddie]], [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] child prophet
* [[Thomas Lomar Gray]], engineer noted for his pioneering work in seismology
* [[Martin Grehan]], footballer
* [[Samuel Greig]], Russian admiral and "Father of the Russian Navy"
* [[Thomas Hardy (minister)|Thomas Hardy]], minister of religion, [[Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]] and Professor of Ecclesiastical History at [[Edinburgh University]]
* [[Alexander Henderson (theologian)|Alexander Henderson]], theologian, and an important ecclesiastical statesman
* [[Shirley Henderson]], actress
* [[George Horne_(rugby_union)]], rugby player
* [[Peter Horne]], rugby player
* [[Bob Howie]] and [[Dave Howie]], rugby players
* [[Ninian Imrie]], army officer and geologist
* [[Richard Jobson (television presenter)|Richard Jobson]], filmmaker, television presenter, musician, [[the Skids]]
* [[Peter Johnstone (footballer)|Peter Johnstone]], Celtic FC footballer
* [[Henrietta Keddie]], novelist who wrote under the pseudonym [[Sarah Tytler]]
* [[Deborah Knox]], Olympic gold medallist in curling
* [[Craig Levein]], Scottish former professional footballer and manager
* [[Jackie Leven]], singer-songwriter
* [[Wallace Lindsay]], classical scholar, palaeographer, Professor of Humanity at St Andrews University
* [[Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie]], 16th-century writer
* [[George_Lauder_Sr.|George Lauder Sr]], Politician, industrialist
* [[George Lauder (industrialist)|George Lauder Jr]], Industrialist 
* [[Roddy Lumsden]], Poet 
* [[Anne Macaulay]] musicologist, archaeologist, author and lecturer
* [[Douglas Mackinnon]], director
* [[Val McDermid]], writer
* [[Ken McNaught]], footballer, Aston Villa F.C. centre back, 1982 European Cup Winner
* [[Willie McNaught]], footballer, Raith Rovers F.C. defender
* [[Steve Mason_(musician)]], The Beta Band, King Biscuit Time, Black Affair
* [[Alexander Michie]] (1833-1902), author, journalist, and businessman in China
* [[Old Tom Morris]], [[greenskeeper]] [[St Andrews Links]] and 4 times champion of [[The Open Championship]]
* [[Tom Nairn]], political theorist of nationalism
* [[Rab Noakes]], singer, songwriter, record producer
* [[Aileen Paterson]], author/illustrator
* [[John Philip (missionary)|John Philip]], missionary in [[South Africa]]
* [[David Pitcairn]], physician
* [[John Pitcairn]], British [[Royal marines|Marine]] officer killed at the [[Battle of Bunker Hill]]
* [[William Pitcairn]], physician
* [[Ian Rankin]], writer
* [[The Proclaimers|Craig and Charlie Reid]], singer-songwriters of [[the Proclaimers]]
* [[David Rollo (rugby union)|David Rollo]], rugby player
* [[Craig Russell (British author)]], writer
* [[Clive Russell]], actor
* [[Saint Mungo]], missionary and patron saint/founder of Glasgow (born in [[Culross]]) 
* [[Dougray Scott]], actor
* [[John Scrimgeour of Myres]], [[Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland|Master of Work]] for royal buildings for James V and Mary, Queen of Scots
* [[Alexander Selkirk]], seafarer and inspiration for ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]''
* [[Jimmy Shand]], accordion player
* [[Daniel Sloss]], comedian
* [[Adam Smith]], philosopher and economist
* [[Jordan Smith (actor)|Jordan Smith]], actor
* [[Mary Fairfax Somerville]], science writer and polymath
* [[Catherine Steele]], plant biochemist
* [[David Steel]], former [[Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament|Presiding Officer]] of the [[Scottish Parliament]] and leader of the [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal party]] and [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]] for [[Lothians (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Lothian]] and [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale (UK Parliament constituency)|Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale]]
* [[Ian Stewart (musician)|Ian Stewart]], co-founder of the [[Rolling Stones]]
* [[Lawrence Storione]], miner and anarchist organiser
* [[John Struthers (anatomist)|Sir John Struthers]], first [[Regius Professor]] of [[Anatomy]] at the [[University of Aberdeen]]
* [[John McDouall Stuart]], explorer of Australia's interior
* [[Michaela Tabb]], first female snooker referee to appear at the Crucible
* [[William Tennant (poet)|William Tennant]], scholar and poet
* [[John Thomson (footballer, born 1909)|John Thomson]], [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] and [[Scotland men's national football team|Scotland]] goalkeeper
* [[KT Tunstall]], musician
* [[Jack Vettriano]], artist
* [[William Montgomery Watt]], historian, Emeritus Professor in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Edinburgh
* [[Andrew G. L. Whitelaw]], neonatologist, researcher, and medical academic
* [[David Wilkie (artist)|Sir David Wilkie]], painter
* [[Alexander Wilson (astronomer)|Alexander Wilson]], surgeon, type-founder, astronomer, mathematician and meteorologist
* [[James Wilson (Founding Father)|James Wilson]], signer of US Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, appointed by [[George Washington]] to first [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]]
* [[Jocky Wilson]], darts player
* [[James Yorkston]], musician
* [[Douglas Young (classicist)|Douglas Young]], poet, scholar, translator, and leader of the [[Scottish National Party]]

==Sports==
[[St Andrews]] in Fife is the home of [[golf]], and the headquarters of [[The R&A]], the governing body of the sport throughout the world, aside from the United States and Mexico. [[The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews]], from which it was devolved in 2004, is the world's oldest golf club. Golfers from all over the world visit Fife to play the many famous Links courses, from the seven courses available to play in St Andrews alone to Scotscraig, Kingsbarns, Crail (two courses), Elie, [[Dumbarnie Links]], Lundin Links, Leven Links and Kinghorn as well as the many parkland, heathland and clifftop courses scattered across the region. 

Fife has four [[association football|football]] clubs that play in the [[Scottish Professional Football League]]: [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]], [[East Fife F.C.|East Fife]] (based in Methil), [[Kelty Hearts F.C.|Kelty Hearts]], and [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] (based in Kirkcaldy); [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]] played at this level between 1905 and 2022 but are now members of the [[Lowland Football League]]. Fifteen clubs compete in the [[East of Scotland Football League|East of Scotland League]] while one plays in the [[Scottish Junior Football Association, East Region|SJFA East Region]]. There are also many amateur clubs in Fife playing in various amateur leagues across the region.

[[Fife Flyers]] (based in Kirkcaldy) are the UK's oldest [[ice hockey]] club and play in Britain's top flight, the [[Elite Ice Hockey League]].

Fife is also home to eight [[rugby union]] clubs. [[Howe of Fife RFC|Howe of Fife]] (based in Cupar), and [[Kirkcaldy RFC|Kirkcaldy]] play in [[Scottish Rugby]]'s national leagues while [[Dunfermline RFC|Dunfermline]], Rosyth Sharks, [[Glenrothes RFC|Glenrothes]], [[Madras College FP RFC|Madras]], Waid Academy (based in Anstruther) compete in the [[Caledonia Regional League|Caledonia regional leagues]]. [[University of St Andrews RFC|University of St Andrews]] – the oldest rugby club in Fife – play in the [[British Universities & Colleges Sport]] (BUCS) system.

Cricket is also widely played in Fife. Clubs include [[Freuchie Cricket Club]], Falkland Cricket Club, Glenrothes Cricket Club, Largo Cricket Club, Dunnikier Cricket Club (based in Kirkcaldy), Dunfermline & Carnegie Cricket Club, Broomhall Cricket Club (based in Charleston) and Ship Inn Cricket Club (based in Elie) who play their matches on Elie Beach. [[Freuchie Cricket Club]] famously won the UK national [[Village Cup]] at Lords in 1985 and to date are the only Scottish team to have done so.

[[Kingdom Kangaroos]] are Fife's only [[Australian Rules Football]] team, with training held in [[Rosyth]] and [[Kirkcaldy]].

[[Aberdour Shinty Club]] have two men's teams, two women's teams and multiple youth squads.

Fife has two competitive [[basketball]] teams; [[Dunfermline Reign B.C.|Dunfermline Reign]], who play out of [[St Columba's Roman Catholic High School, Dunfermline|St Columba's High School]] in Dunfermline and compete across a number of national [[Scottish Basketball Championship Men|SBC]] competitions, and Fife Steel, a Kirkcaldy-based team, operating a number of age groups, with a senior men's and an under 19's team currently playing in Division 3 of the Lothian Men's Basketball League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lothian.leaguerepublic.com:443/index.html|title=Lothian Basketball Association - Home|website=lothian.leaguerepublic.com}}</ref><ref>http://www.fifesteel.co.uk/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810195702/http://fifesteel.co.uk/ |date=10 August 2020 }} {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref>

Fife is the location of several of the nation's [[motorsport]] venues: [[Knockhill Racing Circuit]], Scotland's national motorsport venue and the only [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile|FIA]]-graded venue in the country; Cowdenbeath Racewall, a stock car oval racing venue; Lochgelly Raceway, a venue containing the [[Driftland]] drifting course and a 1/4 mile oval; and Crail Raceway, a venue located on a former military [[aerodrome]] containing a 1/4 mile drag strip and a karting circuit, operated by the East of Scotland Kart Club.

==Media==
Locally published newspapers include the ''[[Fife Free Press]]'' in [[Kirkcaldy]]; the ''[[Dunfermline Press]]'' in [[Dunfermline]]; the ''Glenrothes Gazette'' in [[Glenrothes]], the ''East Fife Mail'' in [[Leven, Fife|Leven]], the ''Fife Herald'' in [[Cupar]] / Howe of Fife and the ''St Andrews Citizen'' in [[St Andrews]]. [[D. C. Thomson & Co.|DC Thomson]] publishes Fife and West Fife editions of the ''[[The Courier (Dundee)|Dundee Courier & Advertiser]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/scotland/the-courier/|title=The Courier &#124; British Newspapers Online|first=The Theme|last=Foundry|date=25 October 2013}}</ref> and the Counties Edition of the ''[[Evening Telegraph (Dundee)|Evening Telegraph]]'' is sold in Fife.

The only Fife-based radio station is [[Kingdom FM]]. There is also a community radio station that broadcasts each evening and is run solely by youths, called Fife Youth Radio. Other local radio stations, [[Tay FM]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Tayside & Fife]] and Edinburgh's [[Forth 1]] and [[Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh, Lothians & Fife]], broadcast to the northern and southern parts of the region respectively.

British [[power metal]] band [[Gloryhammer]] has dedicated its entire discography to a fictitious fantasy tale about Fife, in which its heroic kings, aided by valiant knights from [[Crail]], clash with intergalactic forces of evil.

==See also==
* [[Abbeys and priories in Scotland]]
* [[Castles in Scotland]]
* [[Duke of Fife]]
* [[Earl of Fife]]
* [[Fire and Rescue Authority (Scotland)]]
* [[Historic houses in Scotland]]
* [[Kingdom Housing Association]]
* [[List of places in Fife]]
* [[Museums in Scotland]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Fife (Scotland)}}
* [https://know.fife.scot KnowFife Dataset]

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[[Category:Fife| ]]
[[Category:Council areas of Scotland]]
[[Category:Counties of Scotland]]
[[Category:Pictish territories]]
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