# Fife > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fife > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fife.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife > Source revision: 1341934755 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Council area of Scotland This article is about the area in Scotland. For the musical instrument, see [Fife (instrument)](/source/Fife_(instrument)). For other uses, see [Fife (disambiguation)](/source/Fife_(disambiguation)). "Fifeshire" redirects here. For other uses, see [Fifeshire (disambiguation)](/source/Fifeshire_(disambiguation)). Lieutenancy and council area in Scotland Fife Fìobha (Scottish Gaelic) Lieutenancy and council area Crail in the East Neuk, Dunfermline Abbey, and the Bunnet Stane Fife shown within Scotland Coordinates: 56°15′00″N 3°12′00″W / 56.25000°N 3.20000°W / 56.25000; -3.20000 Sovereign state United Kingdom Country Scotland Unitary authority 1 April 1996 Administrative HQ Fife House, Glenrothes Government [1] • Type Council • Body Fife Council • Control No overall control • MPs 4 MPs Graeme Downie (L) Wendy Chamberlain (LD) Richard Baker (L) Melanie Ward (L) • MSPs 5 MSPs Annabelle Ewing (SNP) Jenny Gilruth (SNP) Willie Rennie (LD) Shirley-Anne Somerville (SNP) David Torrance (SNP) Area [2] • Total 512 sq mi (1,325 km2) • Rank 13th Population (2024)[2] • Total 374,760 • Rank 3rd • Density 730/sq mi (283/km2) Demonym Fifer Time zone UTC+0 (GMT) • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST) ISO 3166 code GB-FIF GSS code S12000047 Website fife.gov.uk **Fife** ([/faɪf/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*FYFE*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key), [Scottish English](/source/Scottish_English): [\[fɐi̯f\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA); [Scottish Gaelic](/source/Scottish_Gaelic_language): *Fìobha* [\[ˈfiːvə\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Scottish_Gaelic); [Scots](/source/Scots_language): *Fife*) is a [council area](/source/Council_areas_of_Scotland) and [lieutenancy area](/source/Lieutenancy_areas_of_Scotland) in [Scotland](/source/Scotland). A peninsula, it is bordered by the [Firth of Tay](/source/Firth_of_Tay) to the north, the [North Sea](/source/North_Sea) to the east, the [Firth of Forth](/source/Firth_of_Forth) to the south, [Clackmannanshire](/source/Clackmannanshire) to the south-west, and [Perth and Kinross](/source/Perth_and_Kinross) to the west. The largest settlement is the city of [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline), and the administrative centre is [Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes). Fife has an area of 512 square miles (1,330 km2) and had a resident population of 374,760 in 2024, making it Scotland's 3rd largest local authority area by population.[2] The population is concentrated in the south, which contains Dunfermline, [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy) and Glenrothes. The north is less densely populated, and the largest town is [St Andrews](/source/St_Andrews) on the north-east coast. The area is governed by the unitary [Fife Council](/source/Fife_Council). It covers the same area as the [historic county](/source/Counties_of_Scotland) and [former region](/source/Local_government_areas_of_Scotland_(1975%E2%80%931996)) of the same name. Fife was one of the major [Pictish](/source/Picts) [kingdoms](/source/Monarchy), known as *Fib*, and is still commonly known as the **Kingdom of Fife** within Scotland. The [University of St Andrews](/source/University_of_St_Andrews) is the oldest of the [ancient universities of Scotland](/source/Ancient_universities_of_Scotland) and one of the [oldest universities in the world](/source/List_of_oldest_universities_in_continuous_operation), and the [Old Course at St Andrews](/source/Old_Course_at_St_Andrews) the world's oldest [golf course](/source/Golf_course). A person from Fife is known as a *Fifer*. ## History Fife, bounded to the north by the [Firth of Tay](/source/Firth_of_Tay) and to the south by the [Firth of Forth](/source/Firth_of_Forth), is a natural peninsula whose political boundaries have changed little over the ages. The [Pictish king list](/source/List_of_kings_of_the_Picts) and [De Situ Albanie](/source/De_Situ_Albanie) documents of the [Poppleton manuscript](/source/Poppleton_manuscript) mention the division of the [Pictish](/source/Picts) realm or [Albany](/source/Alba) into seven sub-kingdoms, one being Fife.[3]: 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](/source/Earl_of_Fife).[3]: 132 The notion of a kingdom may derive from a misinterpretation of an extract from [Wyntoun](/source/Andrew_of_Wyntoun).[3]: 133 The name is recorded as *Fib* in A.D. 1150 and *Fif* in 1165. It was often associated with [Fothriff](/source/Fothriff). The hill-fort of [Clatchard Craig](/source/Clatchard_Craig), near [Newburgh](/source/Newburgh%2C_Fife), was occupied as an important [Pictish](/source/Picts) stronghold between the sixth and eighth centuries AD.[4][5] Fife was an important royal and political centre from the reign of King [Malcolm III](/source/Malcolm_III) onwards, as the leaders of [Scotland](/source/Scotland) gradually moved southwards away from their ancient strongholds around Scone. Malcolm had his principal home in [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline) and his wife [Margaret](/source/Saint_Margaret_of_Scotland) was the main benefactor of [Dunfermline Abbey](/source/Dunfermline_Abbey). The Abbey replaced [Iona](/source/Iona) as the final resting place of Scotland's royal elite, with [Robert I](/source/Robert_the_Bruce) amongst those to be buried there.[6] 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](/source/Falkland%2C_Fife), formerly the stronghold of [Clan MacDuff](/source/Clan_MacDuff), and was used by successive monarchs of the [House of Stuart](/source/House_of_Stuart), who favoured Fife for its rich hunting grounds.[7] King [James VI of Scotland](/source/James_VI_of_Scotland) described Fife, in [Middle Scots](/source/Middle_Scots), as a: *"beggar's mantle fringed wi gowd"*[8] 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](/source/Low_Countries). [Wool](/source/Wool), [linen](/source/Linen), [coal](/source/Coal) and [salt](/source/Salt) were all traded. [Salt pans](/source/Open-pan_salt_making) 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](/source/Fife_adventurers), to colonise the [Isle of Lewis](/source/Isle_of_Lewis) in an attempt to begin the "civilisation" and de-gaelicisation of the region.[9] This endeavour lasted until 1609 when the colonists, having been opposed by the native population, were bought out by [Kenneth Mackenzie](/source/Kenneth_Mackenzie%2C_1st_Lord_Mackenzie_of_Kintail), the [clan chief](/source/Scottish_clan_chief) of the [Mackenzies](/source/Clan_Mackenzie).[9] 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](/source/Cowdenbeath) rapidly swelled into towns as thousands moved to Fife to find work in its mines. The opening of the [Forth](/source/Forth_Bridge) and [Tay](/source/Tay_Rail_Bridge) rail bridges linked Fife with Edinburgh and [Dundee](/source/Dundee), and allowed the rapid transport of goods. Modern ports were constructed at [Methil](/source/Methil%2C_Fife), [Burntisland](/source/Burntisland) and [Rosyth](/source/Rosyth). Kirkcaldy became the world centre for the production of [linoleum](/source/Linoleum). [Postwar](/source/Postwar) Fife saw the development of Scotland's second [new town](/source/New_town#United_Kingdom), [Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes). Originally to provide housing for miners at a new coal mine, the town eventually attracted a high number of modern [Silicon Glen](/source/Silicon_Glen) companies to the region.[10][11][12][13] 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](/source/National_Trust_for_Scotland) or [Historic Scotland](/source/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](/source/Balgonie_Castle) near Coaltown of Balgonie, Falkland Palace (hunting palace of the Scottish Kings), Kellie Castle near Pittenweem, [Hill of Tarvit](/source/Hill_of_Tarvit) (a historical house), St. Andrews Castle, [St. Andrews Cathedral](/source/St_Andrews_Cathedral) and [St. Rule's Tower](/source/St_Andrews_Cathedral#St_Rule's_tower). ### Administrative history 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](/source/Provinces_of_Scotland), under the authority of the [Mormaer](/source/Mormaer) or [Earl of Fife](/source/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](/source/Newburgh%2C_Fife) to [Scoonie](/source/Scoonie). The western part of the later county was in the province of [Fothriff](/source/Fothriff), which also covered areas that would later become [Kinross-shire](/source/Kinross-shire) and part of [Clackmannanshire](/source/Clackmannanshire), including the town of [Clackmannan](/source/Clackmannan). By the early thirteenth century Fothriff had been joined to the earldom of Fife. Sometime between the reign of [David I](/source/David_I_of_Scotland) (reigned 1124–1153) and the mid-thirteenth century, this part of Scotland was divided into [shires](/source/Shires_of_Scotland), being areas administered by a [sheriff](/source/Sheriff_principal). 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](/source/Sheriff_of_Fife_and_Kinross).[14] 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](/source/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](/source/Acts_of_Union_1707) in 1707, the English term "county" came to be used interchangeably with the older term "shire".[15] Elected county councils were established in 1890 under the [Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889](/source/Local_Government_(Scotland)_Act_1889), taking most of the functions of the commissioners (which were eventually abolished in 1930). The two [burghs](/source/Burgh) of [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline) and [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy) were deemed capable of managing their own affairs and so were excluded from the administrative area of the county council.[16] The 1889 act also led to a review of boundaries, with several [exclaves](/source/Exclave) 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](/source/Culross) and [Tulliallan](/source/Tulliallan), which had previously formed an exclave of Perthshire.[17] Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy were brought within the administrative area of the county council in 1930, but classed as [large burghs](/source/Large_burgh), allowing them to continue to deliver many local government functions themselves.[18] [County Buildings, Cupar](/source/County_Buildings%2C_Cupar), the former headquarters of Fife County Council Fife County Council was based at [County Buildings](/source/County_Buildings%2C_Cupar) in Catherine Street in [Cupar](/source/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](/source/Tolbooth) which had performed the same functions.[19][20] Fife County Council was abolished in 1975 under the [Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973](/source/Local_Government_(Scotland)_Act_1973), which replaced Scotland's counties, burghs and [landward districts](/source/List_of_local_government_areas_in_Scotland_(1930%E2%80%931975)) with a two-tier structure of upper-tier [regions](/source/Local_government_areas_of_Scotland_(1975%E2%80%931996)) and lower-tier [districts](/source/Districts_of_Scotland). Fife region was created covering the same area as the county, divided into three [districts](/source/Regions_and_districts_of_Scotland): [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline_(district)), [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy_(district)) and [North-East Fife](/source/North-East_Fife_(district)). In 1996 the district councils were abolished and Fife Regional Council became a [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authority) known as Fife Council. Fife is one of the six local authorities in the [city region](/source/City_region#United_Kingdom) of Edinburgh and southeast Scotland. There was a [parliamentary constituency](/source/Parliamentary_constituency) of [Fife](/source/Fife_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) in the [House of Commons of the United Kingdom](/source/House_of_Commons_of_the_United_Kingdom) until 1885 and the [Fife constituency](/source/Fife_(Parliament_of_Scotland_constituency)) in the [Parliament of Scotland](/source/Parliament_of_Scotland) until the [Acts of Union 1707](/source/Acts_of_Union_1707). ## Governance Main article: [Fife Council](/source/Fife_Council) [Fife House](/source/Fife_House%2C_Glenrothes), 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 [Holyrood](/source/Scottish_Parliament) and the [British Parliament](/source/British_Parliament) respectively. Following the [2015 general election](/source/2015_United_Kingdom_general_election), all four of the MPs constituencies were held by the [Scottish National Party](/source/Scottish_National_Party).[21] In the [2017 general election](/source/2017_United_Kingdom_general_election), [Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath](/source/Kirkcaldy_and_Cowdenbeath) was regained by [Labour](/source/Labour_Party_(UK)).[22] At the same election, the seat of [North East Fife](/source/North_East_Fife_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) became the closest seat in the country with the SNP holding a majority of 2 over the [Liberal Democrats](/source/Scottish_Liberal_Democrats).[23] Three of the Scottish Parliament constituencies are held by the [Scottish National Party](/source/Scottish_National_Party): [Cowdenbeath](/source/Cowdenbeath_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)), [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)) and [Mid Fife and Glenrothes](/source/Mid_Fife_and_Glenrothes_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)). One is held by the [Scottish Liberal Democrats](/source/Scottish_Liberal_Democrats): [North East Fife](/source/North_East_Fife_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)).[24] [Fife Council](/source/Fife_Council)'s administrative headquarters and [Police Scotland](/source/Police_Scotland)'s P Division (formerly [Fife Constabulary](/source/Fife_Constabulary)) are based in [Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes). The Council meetings take place in [Fife House](/source/Fife_House%2C_Glenrothes) 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.[25][26] ## Geography Fifeshire & Kinross-shire Civil Parish map,[27] with parishes outlined in red Fife is divided into 22 wards, each electing council members of the [Fife Council](/source/Fife_Council). Fife is a [peninsula](/source/Peninsula) in eastern Scotland bordered on the north by the [Firth of Tay](/source/Firth_of_Tay), on the east by the [North Sea](/source/North_Sea) and by the [Firth of Forth](/source/Firth_of_Forth) to the south. The route to the west is partially blocked by the mass of the [Ochil Hills](/source/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](/source/Forth_Road_Bridge) (public transport and cyclists only) and [Queensferry Crossing](/source/Queensferry_Crossing), west on the [Kincardine Bridge](/source/Kincardine_Bridge) or north-east via the [Tay Road Bridge](/source/Tay_Road_Bridge), the exception being traffic headed north on the [M90](/source/M90_motorway). Tolls were abolished on the Tay Road Bridge and Forth Road Bridge on 11 February 2008. There are extinct [volcanic](/source/Volcanic) features, such as the [Lomond Hills](/source/Lomond_Hills) which rise above rolling farmland, and [Largo Law](/source/Largo_Law), a [volcanic plug](/source/Volcanic_plug) in the east. At 522 metres (1,713 ft), the [West Lomond](/source/West_Lomond) is the highest point in Fife. The coast has fine but small harbours, from the industrial docks in [Burntisland](/source/Burntisland) and [Rosyth](/source/Rosyth) to the fishing villages of the [East Neuk](/source/East_Neuk) such as [Anstruther](/source/Anstruther) and [Pittenweem](/source/Pittenweem). The large area of flat land to the north of the Lomond Hills, through which the [River Eden](/source/River_Eden%2C_Fife) flows, is known as the [Howe of Fife](/source/Howe_of_Fife). Looking across the farmland of North East Fife to the distant [Lomond Hills](/source/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](/source/Dunfermline), [Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes), [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy) and the [Levenmouth](/source/Levenmouth) region are lightly industrial and more densely populated. The only areas which could claim to be heavily industrial are [Rosyth](/source/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](/source/Earlsferry) and [Kingsbarns](/source/Kingsbarns), and along with their hinterland, is known as the East Neuk (corner, or projecting point of land) of Fife;[28] small settlements around sheltered harbours, with distinctive vernacular "Dutch" or [corbie (crow) stepped gabled](/source/Crow-stepped_gable) and stone-built architecture. The area has amongst the highest concentration of second homes and holiday lets in Scotland.[29][30][31][32] The [fishing industry](/source/Fishing_industry_in_Scotland), 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](/source/Isle_of_May), [Inchkeith](/source/Inchkeith) and [Inchcolm](/source/Inchcolm). The former [Preston Island](/source/Preston_Island) south of [Valleyfield](/source/Valleyfield%2C_Fife) 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](/source/Scots_language).[33] - 2,696 (0.8%) considered themselves able to speak or read [Gaelic](/source/Scottish_Gaelic).[34] ### Ethnicity Ethnic Group 2001[35] 2011[35][36] 2022[37] Number % Number % Number % White: Total 345,003 98.73% 356,550 97.63% 356,885 95.99% White: Scottish 308,380 88.25% 312,957 85.70% 302,087 81.25% White: Other British 29,827 8.54% 31,464 8.62% 36,025 9.69% White: Irish 2,147 0.61% 2,260 0.62% 2,658 0.71% White: Gypsy/Traveller[note 1] – – 316 – 277 – White: Polish[note 1] – – 3,058 0.84% 5,491 1.48% White: Other 4,649 1.33% 6,495 1.78% 10,347 2.78% Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Total 2,734 0.78% 5,748 1.57% 8,014 2.16% Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Indian 514 0.15% 1,066 0.29% 1,732 0.47% Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Pakistani 1,199 0.34% 1,902 0.52% 2,599 0.70% Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Bangladeshi 72 0.02% 118 – 212 0.06% Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Chinese 750 0.21% 1,735 0.48% 1,878 0.51% Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British: Asian Other 199 0.06% 927 0.25% 1,596 0.43% Black, Black Scottish or Black British[note 2] 93 – – – – – African: Total 286 0.08% 704 0.19% 1,355 0.36% African: African, African Scottish or African British – – 684 0.19% 175 – African: Other African – – 20 – 1,179 0.39% Caribbean or Black: Total – – 422 0.12% 316 0.08% Caribbean 113 – 234 0.06% 125 – Black – – 141 – 28 – Caribbean or Black: Other – – 47 – 164 – 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: Arab[note 1] – – 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 **[Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline)** **[Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy)** **[Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes)** **[St Andrews](/source/St_Andrews)** **[Rosyth](/source/Rosyth)** **[Cowdenbeath](/source/Cowdenbeath)** **[Methil](/source/Methil)** **[Dalgety Bay](/source/Dalgety_Bay)** **[Leven](/source/Leven%2C_Fife)** **[Cupar](/source/Cupar)** **[Lochg.](/source/Lochgelly)** **[Kelty](/source/Kelty)** **[Burntisland](/source/Burntisland)** **[Ballingry](/source/Ballingry)** **[Cardenden](/source/Cardenden)** **[Inverkeithing](/source/Inverkeithing)** **[Kennoway](/source/Kennoway)** **[Newport-on-Tay](/source/Newport-on-Tay)** **[Buckhaven](/source/Buckhaven)** **[Anstruther](/source/Anstruther)** **[Tayport](/source/Tayport)** **[Leuchars](/source/Leuchars)** **[Leslie](/source/Leslie%2C_Fife)** **[Kincardine](/source/Kincardine%2C_Fife)** **[Kinghorn](/source/Kinghorn)** *[Perth and Kinross](/source/Perth_and_Kinross#Settlements)* *[Dundee](/source/Dundee_City_(council_area))* *[East Lothian](/source/East_Lothian#Settlements)* *[City of Edinburgh](/source/City_of_Edinburgh_(council_area)#Settlements)* *[West Lothian](/source/West_Lothian#Settlements)* *[Falkirk](/source/Falkirk_(council_area)#Settlements)* *[Clack.](/source/Clackmannanshire#Settlements)* The largest settlements in Fife [Cupar](/source/Cupar) took over as [county town](/source/County_town) from [Crail](/source/Crail) in the early 13th century. [Glenrothes](/source/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](/source/Kirkcaldy), [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline) (awarded [city status](/source/City_status_in_the_United_Kingdom) in 2022) and Glenrothes. According to the 2012 estimate, Dunfermline is the largest settlement by population,[38] followed by [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy) then Glenrothes. The next most sizeable towns by population are [St Andrews](/source/St_Andrews), [Cowdenbeath](/source/Cowdenbeath), [Rosyth](/source/Rosyth), [Methil](/source/Methil) and [Dalgety Bay](/source/Dalgety_Bay). Largest settlements by population: Settlement Population (2020)[39] Dunfermline 54,990 Kirkcaldy 50,370 Glenrothes 38,360 St Andrews 18,410 Rosyth 13,570 Cowdenbeath 12,030 Methil 10,890 Dalgety Bay 9,710 Leven 9,420 Cupar 8,960 Lochgelly 7,300 Kelty 6,760[a] Burntisland 6,630 Ballingry 5,940 Cardenden 5,190 Inverkeithing 4,820 Kennoway 4,570 Newport-on-Tay 4,210 Buckhaven 4,050 Anstruther 3,950 Tayport 3,750 Leuchars 3,160 Leslie 3,010 Kincardine 2,940 Kinghorn 2,940 1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** Part of [Kelty](/source/Kelty) is located in [Perth and Kinross](/source/Perth_and_Kinross). ### Historic parishes The county was formerly divided into parishes, often but not always based on a town or village: - [Abbotshall](/source/Abbotshall) - [Abdie](/source/Abdie) - [Aberdour](/source/Aberdour) - [Anstruther Easter](/source/Anstruther_Easter) - [Anstruther Wester](/source/Anstruther_Wester) - [Arngask](/source/Arngask) (to [Perthshire](/source/Perthshire) in 1891) - [Auchterderran](/source/Auchterderran) - [Auchtermuchty](/source/Auchtermuchty) - [Auchtertool](/source/Auchtertool) - [Ballingry](/source/Ballingry) - [Balmerino](/source/Balmerino) - [Beath](/source/Beath) - [Buckhaven](/source/Buckhaven) - [Burntisland](/source/Burntisland) - [Cameron](/source/Cameron%2C_Fife) - [Carnbee](/source/Carnbee%2C_Scotland) - [Carnock](/source/Carnock) - [Cellardyke](/source/Cellardyke) - [Ceres](/source/Ceres%2C_Fife) - [Collessie](/source/Collessie) - [Cowdenbeath](/source/Cowdenbeath) - [Crail](/source/Crail) - [Creich](/source/Creich%2C_Fife) - [Crossgates](/source/Crossgates%2C_Fife) - [Culross](/source/Culross) (to Fife from Perthshire, 1891) - [Cults](/source/Cults%2C_Fife) - [Cupar](/source/Cupar) - [Dairsie](/source/Dairsie) - [Dalgety](/source/Dalgety_Bay) - [Dunbog](/source/Dunbog) - [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline) - [Dunino](/source/Dunino) - [Dysart](/source/Dysart%2C_Fife) - [Elie](/source/Elie_and_Earlsferry) - [Falkland](/source/Falkland%2C_Fife) - [Ferry Port on Craig](/source/Tayport)[40] - [Flisk](/source/Flisk) - [Forgan](/source/Forgan_(Fife)) - [Freuchie](/source/Freuchie) - [Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes) - [Inverkeithing](/source/Inverkeithing) - [Kelty](/source/Kelty) - [Kemback](/source/Kemback) - [Kennoway](/source/Kennoway) - [Kilconquhar](/source/Kilconquhar) - [Kilmany](/source/Kilmany) - [Kilrenny](/source/Kilrenny) - [Kinghorn](/source/Kinghorn) - [Kinglassie](/source/Kinglassie) - [Kingsbarns](/source/Kingsbarns) - [Kingskettle](/source/Kingskettle) - [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy) - [Ladybank](/source/Ladybank) - [Largo](/source/Largo%2C_Fife) - [Leslie](/source/Leslie%2C_Fife) - [Leuchars](/source/Leuchars) - [Leven](/source/Leven%2C_Fife) - [Lochgelly](/source/Lochgelly) - [Logie](/source/Logie%2C_Fife) - [Lumphinnans](/source/Lumphinnans) - [Markinch](/source/Markinch) - [Methil](/source/Methil) - [Monimail](/source/Monimail) - [Moonzie](/source/Moonzie) - [Newburgh](/source/Newburgh%2C_Fife) - [Newburn](/source/Newburn%2C_Fife) - [Pitlessie](/source/Pitlessie) - [Pittenweem](/source/Pittenweem) - [Rosyth](/source/Rosyth) - [Saline](/source/Saline%2C_Fife) - [Scoonie](/source/Scoonie) - [St Andrews & St Leonards](/source/St_Andrews) - [St Monance](/source/St_Monance) (and Abercrombie) - [Strathmiglo](/source/Strathmiglo) - [Thornton](/source/Thornton%2C_Fife) - [Torryburn](/source/Torryburn) - [Wellwood](/source/Wellwood%2C_Fife) - [Wemyss](/source/Wemyss%2C_Fife) - [Wormit](/source/Wormit) ### Communities Fife is divided into 105 [community council areas](/source/List_of_community_council_areas_in_Scotland), 85 of which have [community councils](/source/Community_council) as at 2023.[41] ## Culture [Falkland Palace](/source/Falkland_Palace) [Scottish Lowlands](/source/Scottish_Lowlands) farm. Detail from Slezer's Prospect of Dunfermline, 1693 A closer view of the [Lomond Hills](/source/Lomond_Hills), seen from [Auchtermuchty](/source/Auchtermuchty) Fife contains 4,961 [listed buildings](/source/Listed_buildings) and 48 [conservation areas](/source/Conservation_area).[42] Domestic sites of importance include [Falkland Palace](/source/Falkland_Palace), [Kellie Castle](/source/Kellie_Castle), [Dunfermline Palace](/source/Dunfermline_Palace), [St Andrews Castle](/source/St_Andrews_Castle), [Culross Palace](/source/Culross_Palace) and Kirkcaldy's [Ravenscraig Castle](/source/Ravenscraig_Castle). Fife also has a number of [ecclesiastical sites](/source/Church_(building)) of historical interest. [St Andrews Cathedral](/source/St_Andrew's_Cathedral%2C_St_Andrews) was home to the powerful [Archbishopric of St Andrews](/source/Archbishop_of_St_Andrews), and later became a centre of the [Scottish Reformation](/source/Scottish_Reformation), while [Dunfermline Abbey](/source/Dunfermline_Abbey) was the last resting place of a number of Scottish kings. [Balmerino](/source/Balmerino_Abbey) and [Culross](/source/Culross_Abbey) abbeys were both founded in the 13th century by the [Cistercians](/source/Cistercians), while a century before [Lindores Abbey](/source/Lindores_Abbey) was founded by the [Tironensians](/source/Tironensians) outside [Newburgh](/source/Newburgh%2C_Fife); all were highly important sites. The [Stanza Poetry Festival](/source/Stanza_Poetry_Festival), [East Neuk Festival](/source/East_Neuk_Festival), and Pittenweem Arts Festival are events of national cultural importance. Smaller festivals like the [Cupar Arts Festival](/source/Cupar_Arts_Festival) and Largo Arts Week also take place. The [Byre Theatre](/source/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](/source/Grand_opera) [company](/source/Opera_company) [Fife Opera](/source/Fife_Opera). The Byre has re-opened in Autumn, 2014[43] following its going into [administration](/source/Administration_(law)) in 2012.[44] 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.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] 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.[45] ## Places of interest [Fife Coastal Path](/source/Fife_Coastal_Path) [Forth Bridge](/source/Forth_Bridge) [St Andrews Cathedral](/source/St_Andrews_Cathedral) [St Andrews Castle](/source/St_Andrews_Castle) [Isle of May](/source/Isle_of_May) [Deep Sea World](/source/Deep_Sea_World) [Swilcan Bridge](/source/Swilcan_Bridge) [Dunfermline Abbey](/source/Dunfermline_Abbey) [Pittencrieff Park](/source/Pittencrieff_Park) - [Aberdour Castle](/source/Aberdour_Castle) - [Balbirnie Stone Circle](/source/Balbirnie_Stone_Circle) - [Balfarg](/source/Balfarg) - [Balgonie Castle](/source/Balgonie_Castle) - [Balmerino Abbey](/source/Balmerino_Abbey) - [Bunnet Stane](/source/Bunnet_Stane) - [Cambo Estate](/source/Cambo_Estate) - [Caves of Caiplie](/source/Caves_of_Caiplie) - [Church of St Mary on the Rock](/source/Church_of_St_Mary_on_the_Rock) - [Craigtoun Country Park](/source/Craigtoun_Country_Park) - [Culross Abbey](/source/Culross_Abbey) - [Deep Sea World](/source/Deep_Sea_World) - [Dunfermline Abbey](/source/Dunfermline_Abbey) - [Dunfermline Palace](/source/Dunfermline_Palace) - [Falkland Palace](/source/Falkland_Palace) - [Fife Coastal Path](/source/Fife_Coastal_Path) - [Fife Folk Museum](/source/Fife_Folk_Museum) - [Fife Heritage Railway](/source/Fife_Heritage_Railway) - [Fife Pilgrim Way](/source/Fife_Pilgrim_Way) - [Forth Bridge](/source/Forth_Bridge) - [Inchcolm Abbey](/source/Inchcolm_Abbey) - [Isle of May](/source/Isle_of_May) - [Kellie Castle](/source/Kellie_Castle) - Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre - [Kirkcaldy Galleries](/source/Kirkcaldy_Galleries) - [Lindores Abbey](/source/Lindores_Abbey) - [Lindores Abbey distillery](/source/Lindores_Abbey_distillery) - [Links Market](/source/Links_Market) - [Lochore Meadows](/source/Lochore_Meadows) - [Lomond Hills Regional Park](/source/Lomond_Hills_Regional_Park) - Lundin Links standing stones - [MacDuff's Cross](/source/MacDuff's_Cross) - [Museum of the University of St Andrews](/source/Museum_of_the_University_of_St_Andrews) - [Newark Castle](/source/Newark_Castle%2C_Fife) - [Norman's Law](/source/Norman's_Law) - [Ochil Hills](/source/Ochil_Hills) - [Old Course at St Andrews](/source/Old_Course_at_St_Andrews) - [Pittencrieff Park](/source/Pittencrieff_Park) - [Ravenscraig Castle](/source/Ravenscraig_Castle) - [Reaper (sailing vessel)](/source/Reaper_(sailing_vessel)) - [Riverside Park, Glenrothes](/source/Riverside_Park%2C_Glenrothes) - [Rosyth Castle](/source/Rosyth_Castle) - Scotland's Secret Bunker - [Scottish Deer Centre](/source/Scottish_Deer_Centre) - [Scottish Fisheries Museum](/source/Scottish_Fisheries_Museum) - [Seafield Tower](/source/Seafield_Tower) - St Andrews Aquarium - [St Andrews Castle](/source/St_Andrews_Castle) - [St Andrews Cathedral](/source/St_Andrews_Cathedral) - [St Andrews Museum](/source/St_Andrews_Museum) - [Swilcan Bridge](/source/Swilcan_Bridge) - [Tay Rail Bridge](/source/Tay_Rail_Bridge) - [Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve](/source/Tentsmuir_National_Nature_Reserve) - [R&A World Golf Museum](/source/R%26A_World_Golf_Museum) ## Notable Fifers - [Robert Adam](/source/Robert_Adam), architect - [Stuart Adamson](/source/Stuart_Adamson), musician ([Big Country](/source/Big_Country), [the Skids](/source/The_Skids)) - [Robert Hope Moncrieff Aitken](/source/Robert_Hope_Moncrieff_Aitken), [Lieutenant](/source/Lieutenant) in the 13th, [Bengal Native Infantry](/source/Bengal_Native_Infantry), awarded the [Victoria Cross](/source/Victoria_Cross) - [William Allan](/source/William_Allan_(classicist)), classicist at the University of Oxford - [Ian Anderson](/source/Ian_Anderson_(musician)), musician, frontman of [Jethro Tull](/source/Jethro_Tull_(band)) - [Iain Banks](/source/Iain_Banks), writer - [Lady Anne Barnard](/source/Lady_Anne_Barnard), travel writer, artist and socialite of the period - [Andrew Whyte Barclay](/source/Andrew_Whyte_Barclay), physician, [Lumleian lecturer](/source/Lumleian_Lecturer), and [Harveian orator](/source/Harveian_Orator) - [Jim Baxter](/source/Jim_Baxter), footballer - [David Bethune](/source/David_Beaton), Archbishop of St Andrews - [George Bethune](/source/George_Bethune_(politician)), MSP for Kilrenny - [James Bethune](/source/James_Beaton), Archbishop of St Andrews - [James Bethune](/source/James_Beaton_(archbishop_of_Glasgow)), Archbishop of Glasgow - [Janet Bethune](/source/Janet_Beaton), noblewoman - [Mary Bethune](/source/Mary_Beaton), attendant of [Mary, Queen of Scots](/source/Mary%2C_Queen_of_Scots) - [Elizabeth Bethune](/source/Elizabeth_Bethune), mistress of King [James V of Scotland](/source/James_V_of_Scotland) - [Guy Berryman](/source/Guy_Berryman), bassist from the band [Coldplay](/source/Coldplay) - [Sir James Black](/source/James_Black_(pharmacologist)), pharmacologist and nobel prize winner - Sir [Ernley Blackwell](/source/Ernley_Blackwell), lawyer and civil servant - [Edith Bowman](/source/Edith_Bowman), BBC Radio 1/6 DJ - [Caroline Brazier](/source/Caroline_Brazier_(librarian)), librarian - [Gordon Brown](/source/Gordon_Brown), former British Prime Minister and [Chancellor of the Exchequer](/source/Chancellor_of_the_Exchequer) and former MP for [Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath](/source/Kirkcaldy_and_Cowdenbeath) - [Scott Brown](/source/Scott_Brown_(footballer%2C_born_June_1985)), [Scotland](/source/Scotland) and [Celtic F.C.](/source/Celtic_F.C.) footballer - [Gregory Burke](/source/Gregory_Burke), playwright - [Kenn Burke](/source/Kenn_Burke), ballet dancer - [Andrew Carnegie](/source/Andrew_Carnegie), industrialist and philanthropist - [Henry Chisholm](/source/Henry_Chisholm), steel industry executive - [Jim Clark](/source/Jim_Clark), two-times Formula One World Drivers' Champion - [James Clephan](/source/James_Clephan), Lieutenant on board [HMS *Spartiate*](/source/HMS_Spartiate_(1798)) during the [Battle of Trafalgar](/source/Battle_of_Trafalgar) - [Archibald Constable](/source/Archibald_Constable), publisher, bookseller and stationer - [Kenneth Cranham](/source/Kenneth_Cranham), actor - [King Creosote](/source/King_Creosote), musician - [Lawrence Daly](/source/Lawrence_Daly), General Secretary of the NUM - [David Danskin](/source/David_Danskin), principal founding member of [Arsenal FC](/source/Arsenal_F.C.) - [James Dewar](/source/James_Dewar_(judge)), judge - [Barbara Dickson](/source/Barbara_Dickson), singer and actress - [Thomas Millie Dow](/source/Thomas_Millie_Dow), artist, a member of the [Glasgow School](/source/Glasgow_School) - [Peter Dumbreck](/source/Peter_Dumbreck), racing driver and [1998 Macau Grand Prix](/source/1998_Macau_Grand_Prix) winner - [Philip Charles Durham](/source/Philip_Charles_Durham), sailor and captain of [HMS *Defiance*](/source/HMS_Defiance_(1783)) at [Trafalgar](/source/Battle_of_Trafalgar) - [Marjorie Fleming](/source/Marjorie_Fleming), child writer and poet - [Sir Sandford Fleming](/source/Sandford_Fleming), engineer, who proposed worldwide standard [time zones](/source/Time_zones), engineered on the [Intercolonial Railway](/source/Intercolonial_Railway) and the [Canadian Pacific Railway](/source/Canadian_Pacific_Railway) - [Valentine Fleming](/source/Valentine_Fleming), member of parliament and father of the author [Ian Fleming](/source/Ian_Fleming) - [John Forbes](/source/John_Forbes_(British_Army_officer)), named the city of [Pittsburgh](/source/Pittsburgh) - [Chris Fusaro](/source/Chris_Fusaro), rugby player - [William Gear](/source/William_Gear), artist - [Emelia Geddie](/source/Emelia_Geddie), [Presbyterian](/source/Presbyterianism) child prophet - [Thomas Lomar Gray](/source/Thomas_Lomar_Gray), engineer noted for his pioneering work in seismology - [Martin Grehan](/source/Martin_Grehan), footballer - [Samuel Greig](/source/Samuel_Greig), Russian admiral and "Father of the Russian Navy" - [Thomas Hardy](/source/Thomas_Hardy_(minister)), minister of religion, [Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland](/source/Moderator_of_the_General_Assembly_of_the_Church_of_Scotland) and Professor of Ecclesiastical History at [Edinburgh University](/source/Edinburgh_University) - [Alexander Henderson](/source/Alexander_Henderson_(theologian)), theologian, and an important ecclesiastical statesman - [Shirley Henderson](/source/Shirley_Henderson), actress - [George Horne](/source/George_Horne_(rugby_union)), rugby player - [Peter Horne](/source/Peter_Horne), rugby player - [Bob Howie](/source/Bob_Howie) and [Dave Howie](/source/Dave_Howie), rugby players - [Ninian Imrie](/source/Ninian_Imrie), army officer and geologist - [Richard Jobson](/source/Richard_Jobson_(television_presenter)), filmmaker, television presenter, musician, [the Skids](/source/The_Skids) - [Peter Johnstone](/source/Peter_Johnstone_(footballer)), Celtic FC footballer - [Will Jordan](/source/Will_Jordan_(author)), spy novelist and film critic - [Henrietta Keddie](/source/Henrietta_Keddie), novelist who wrote under the pseudonym [Sarah Tytler](/source/Sarah_Tytler) - [Deborah Knox](/source/Deborah_Knox), Olympic gold medallist in curling - [Craig Levein](/source/Craig_Levein), Scottish former professional footballer and manager - [Jackie Leven](/source/Jackie_Leven), singer-songwriter - [Wallace Lindsay](/source/Wallace_Lindsay), classical scholar, palaeographer, Professor of Humanity at St Andrews University - [Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie](/source/Robert_Lindsay_of_Pitscottie), 16th-century writer - [George Lauder Sr](/source/George_Lauder_Sr.), Politician, industrialist - [George Lauder Jr](/source/George_Lauder_(industrialist)), Industrialist - [Roddy Lumsden](/source/Roddy_Lumsden), poet - [Anne Macaulay](/source/Anne_Macaulay) musicologist, archaeologist, author and lecturer - [Douglas Mackinnon](/source/Douglas_Mackinnon), director - [Val McDermid](/source/Val_McDermid), writer - [Ken McNaught](/source/Ken_McNaught), footballer, Aston Villa F.C. centre back, 1982 European Cup Winner - [Willie McNaught](/source/Willie_McNaught), footballer, Raith Rovers F.C. defender - [Steve Mason (musician)](/source/Steve_Mason_(musician)), The Beta Band, King Biscuit Time, Black Affair - [Alexander Michie](/source/Alexander_Michie) (1833-1902), author, journalist, and businessman in China - [Old Tom Morris](/source/Old_Tom_Morris), [greenskeeper](/source/Greenskeeper) [St Andrews Links](/source/St_Andrews_Links) and 4 times champion of [The Open Championship](/source/The_Open_Championship) - [Tom Nairn](/source/Tom_Nairn), political theorist of nationalism - [Rab Noakes](/source/Rab_Noakes), singer, songwriter, record producer - [Aileen Paterson](/source/Aileen_Paterson), author/illustrator - [John Philip](/source/John_Philip_(missionary)), missionary in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) - [David Pitcairn](/source/David_Pitcairn), physician - [John Pitcairn](/source/John_Pitcairn), British [Marine](/source/Royal_marines) officer killed at the [Battle of Bunker Hill](/source/Battle_of_Bunker_Hill) - [William Pitcairn](/source/William_Pitcairn), physician - [Ian Rankin](/source/Ian_Rankin), writer - [Craig and Charlie Reid](/source/The_Proclaimers), singer-songwriters of [the Proclaimers](/source/The_Proclaimers) - [David Rollo](/source/David_Rollo_(rugby_union)), rugby player - [Craig Russell (British author)](/source/Craig_Russell_(British_author)), writer - [Clive Russell](/source/Clive_Russell), actor - [Saint Mungo](/source/Saint_Mungo), missionary and patron saint/founder of Glasgow (born in [Culross](/source/Culross)) - [Dougray Scott](/source/Dougray_Scott), actor - [John Scrimgeour of Myres](/source/John_Scrimgeour_of_Myres), [Master of Work](/source/Master_of_Work_to_the_Crown_of_Scotland) for royal buildings for James V and Mary, Queen of Scots - [Alexander Selkirk](/source/Alexander_Selkirk), seafarer and inspiration for *[Robinson Crusoe](/source/Robinson_Crusoe)* - [Jimmy Shand](/source/Jimmy_Shand), accordion player - [Daniel Sloss](/source/Daniel_Sloss), comedian - [Adam Smith](/source/Adam_Smith), philosopher and economist - [Jordan Smith](/source/Jordan_Smith_(actor)), actor - [Mary Fairfax Somerville](/source/Mary_Fairfax_Somerville), science writer and polymath - [Catherine Steele](/source/Catherine_Steele), plant biochemist - [David Steel](/source/David_Steel), former [Presiding Officer](/source/Presiding_Officer_of_the_Scottish_Parliament) of the [Scottish Parliament](/source/Scottish_Parliament) and leader of the [Liberal party](/source/Liberal_Party_(UK)) and [MSP](/source/Member_of_the_Scottish_Parliament) for [Lothian](/source/Lothians_(Scottish_Parliament_electoral_region)) and [MP](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(United_Kingdom)) for [Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale](/source/Tweeddale%2C_Ettrick_and_Lauderdale_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) - [Ian Stewart](/source/Ian_Stewart_(musician)), co-founder of the [Rolling Stones](/source/Rolling_Stones) - [Lawrence Storione](/source/Lawrence_Storione), miner and anarchist organiser - [Sir John Struthers](/source/John_Struthers_(anatomist)), first [Regius Professor](/source/Regius_Professor) of [Anatomy](/source/Anatomy) at the [University of Aberdeen](/source/University_of_Aberdeen) - [John McDouall Stuart](/source/John_McDouall_Stuart), explorer of Australia's interior - [Michaela Tabb](/source/Michaela_Tabb), first female snooker referee to appear at the Crucible - [William Tennant](/source/William_Tennant_(poet)), scholar and poet - [John Thomson](/source/John_Thomson_(footballer%2C_born_1909)), [Celtic](/source/Celtic_F.C.) and [Scotland](/source/Scotland_men's_national_football_team) goalkeeper - [KT Tunstall](/source/KT_Tunstall), musician - [Jack Vettriano](/source/Jack_Vettriano), artist - [William Montgomery Watt](/source/William_Montgomery_Watt), historian, Emeritus Professor in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Edinburgh - [Andrew G. L. Whitelaw](/source/Andrew_G._L._Whitelaw), neonatologist, researcher, and medical academic - [Sir David Wilkie](/source/David_Wilkie_(artist)), painter - [Alexander Wilson](/source/Alexander_Wilson_(astronomer)), surgeon, type-founder, astronomer, mathematician and meteorologist - [James Wilson](/source/James_Wilson_(Founding_Father)), signer of US Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, appointed by [George Washington](/source/George_Washington) to first [Supreme Court](/source/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States) - [Jocky Wilson](/source/Jocky_Wilson), darts player - [James Yorkston](/source/James_Yorkston), musician - [Douglas Young](/source/Douglas_Young_(classicist)), poet, scholar, translator, and leader of the [Scottish National Party](/source/Scottish_National_Party) ## Sports [St Andrews](/source/St_Andrews) in Fife is the home of [golf](/source/Golf), and the headquarters of [The R&A](/source/The_R%26A), 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](/source/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](/source/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 [football](/source/Association_football) clubs that play in the [Scottish Professional Football League](/source/Scottish_Professional_Football_League): [Dunfermline Athletic](/source/Dunfermline_Athletic_F.C.), [East Fife](/source/East_Fife_F.C.) (based in Methil), [Kelty Hearts](/source/Kelty_Hearts_F.C.), and [Raith Rovers](/source/Raith_Rovers_F.C.) (based in Kirkcaldy); [Cowdenbeath](/source/Cowdenbeath_F.C.) played at this level between 1905 and 2022 but are now members of the [Lowland Football League](/source/Lowland_Football_League). Fifteen clubs compete in the [East of Scotland League](/source/East_of_Scotland_Football_League) while one plays in the [SJFA East Region](/source/Scottish_Junior_Football_Association%2C_East_Region). There are also many amateur clubs in Fife playing in various amateur leagues across the region. [Fife Flyers](/source/Fife_Flyers) (based in Kirkcaldy) are the UK's oldest [ice hockey](/source/Ice_hockey) club and play in Britain's top flight, the [Elite Ice Hockey League](/source/Elite_Ice_Hockey_League). Fife is also home to eight [rugby union](/source/Rugby_union) clubs. [Howe of Fife](/source/Howe_of_Fife_RFC) (based in Cupar), and [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy_RFC) play in [Scottish Rugby](/source/Scottish_Rugby)'s national leagues while [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline_RFC), Rosyth Sharks, [Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes_RFC), [Madras](/source/Madras_College_FP_RFC), Waid Academy (based in Anstruther) compete in the [Caledonia regional leagues](/source/Caledonia_Regional_League). [University of St Andrews](/source/University_of_St_Andrews_RFC) – the oldest rugby club in Fife – play in the [British Universities & Colleges Sport](/source/British_Universities_%26_Colleges_Sport) (BUCS) system. Cricket is also widely played in Fife. Clubs include [Freuchie Cricket Club](/source/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](/source/Freuchie_Cricket_Club) famously won the UK national [Village Cup](/source/Village_Cup) at Lords in 1985 and to date are the only Scottish team to have done so. [Kingdom Kangaroos](/source/Kingdom_Kangaroos) are Fife's only [Australian Rules Football](/source/Australian_Rules_Football) team, with training held in [Rosyth](/source/Rosyth) and [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy). [Aberdour Shinty Club](/source/Aberdour_Shinty_Club) have two men's teams, two women's teams and multiple youth squads. Fife has two competitive [basketball](/source/Basketball) teams; [Dunfermline Reign](/source/Dunfermline_Reign_B.C.), who play out of [St Columba's High School](/source/St_Columba's_Roman_Catholic_High_School%2C_Dunfermline) in Dunfermline and compete across a number of national [SBC](/source/Scottish_Basketball_Championship_Men) 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.[46][47] Fife is the location of several of the nation's [motorsport](/source/Motorsport) venues: [Knockhill Racing Circuit](/source/Knockhill_Racing_Circuit), Scotland's national motorsport venue and the only [FIA](/source/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Internationale_de_l'Automobile)-graded venue in the country; Cowdenbeath Racewall, a stock car oval racing venue; Lochgelly Raceway, a venue containing the [Driftland](/source/Driftland) drifting course and a 1/4 mile oval; and Crail Raceway, a venue located on a former military [aerodrome](/source/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](/source/Fife_Free_Press)* in [Kirkcaldy](/source/Kirkcaldy); the *[Dunfermline Press](/source/Dunfermline_Press)* in [Dunfermline](/source/Dunfermline); the *Glenrothes Gazette* in [Glenrothes](/source/Glenrothes), the *East Fife Mail* in [Leven](/source/Leven%2C_Fife), the *Fife Herald* in [Cupar](/source/Cupar) / Howe of Fife and the *St Andrews Citizen* in [St Andrews](/source/St_Andrews). [DC Thomson](/source/D._C._Thomson_%26_Co.) publishes Fife and West Fife editions of the *[Dundee Courier & Advertiser](/source/The_Courier_(Dundee))*,[48] and the Counties Edition of the *[Evening Telegraph](/source/Evening_Telegraph_(Dundee))* is sold in Fife. The only Fife-based radio station is [Kingdom FM](/source/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](/source/Tay_FM), [Greatest Hits Radio Tayside & Fife](/source/Greatest_Hits_Radio_Tayside_%26_Fife) and Edinburgh's [Forth 1](/source/Forth_1) and [Greatest Hits Radio Edinburgh, Lothians & Fife](/source/Greatest_Hits_Radio_Edinburgh%2C_Lothians_%26_Fife), broadcast to the northern and southern parts of the region respectively. British [power metal](/source/Power_metal) band [Gloryhammer](/source/Gloryhammer) has dedicated its entire discography to a fictitious fantasy tale about Fife and Dundee, in which its heroic kings, aided by valiant knights from [Crail](/source/Crail), clash with intergalactic forces of evil. ## See also - [Abbeys and priories in Scotland](/source/Abbeys_and_priories_in_Scotland) - [Castles in Scotland](/source/Castles_in_Scotland) - [Duke of Fife](/source/Duke_of_Fife) - [Earl of Fife](/source/Earl_of_Fife) - [Fire and Rescue Authority (Scotland)](/source/Fire_and_Rescue_Authority_(Scotland)) - [Historic houses in Scotland](/source/Historic_houses_in_Scotland) - [Kingdom Housing Association](/source/Kingdom_Housing_Association) - [List of places in Fife](/source/List_of_places_in_Fife) - [Museums in Scotland](/source/Museums_in_Scotland) ## Notes 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-auto_38-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-auto_38-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-auto_38-2) New category created for the 2011 census 1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** Category restructured for the 2011 census ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Council_leadership_1-0)** ["Council & Democracy"](https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/council-and-democracy). *Fife Council*. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2024. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-popstats_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-popstats_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-popstats_2-2) ["Mid-Year Population Estimates, United Kingdom, June 2024"](https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/datasets/populationestimatesforukenglandandwalesscotlandandnorthernireland/mid2024/mye24tablesuk.xlsx). *[Office for National Statistics](/source/Office_for_National_Statistics)*. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Taylor_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Taylor_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Taylor_3-2) Taylor, Simon; Gilbert Márkus (2012). *The Place-Names of Fife, Volume 5*. Donington, Lincs.: Shaun Tyas. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781907730085](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781907730085). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-RCAHMS_4-0)** [Historic Environment Scotland](/source/Historic_Environment_Scotland). ["Clatchard Craig (Site no. NO21NW 18)"](https://www.trove.scot/place/30074). Retrieved 4 July 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-SAS_5-0)** ["Excavation Summary by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland"](http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_116/116_117_184.pdf) (PDF). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Historic Environment Scotland. ["Dunfermline Abbey (Scheduled Monument SM90116)"](https://www.trove.scot/designation/SM90116). Retrieved 4 July 2025. "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." 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Historic Environment Scotland. ["FALKLAND PALACE (Garden and Designated Landscape GDL00176)"](https://www.trove.scot/designation/GDL00176). Retrieved 4 July 2025. "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." 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Crofton, Ian (5 November 2012). [*A Dictionary of Scottish Phrase and Fable*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Zqq8BQAAQBAJ&q=James+%22beggar%27s+mantle+fringed+wi+gowd%22&pg=PT79). Birlinn. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780857906373](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780857906373). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-keay_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-keay_9-1) Keay, John & Julia (1994). *Collins Encyclopedia of Scotland*. HarperCollins. p. 370. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-00-255082-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-00-255082-6). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Glenrothes And Markinch Visitor Guide - Accommodation, Things To Do & More"](https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/glenrothes-and-markinch-p238971). *www.visitscotland.com*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Brown, Kate (17 May 2022). ["Rothes Colliery: When the ill-fated Glenrothes coal mine was blasted into rubble"](https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/past-times/3300158/rothes-colliery/). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Glenrothes at 70 - scandal, art and royalty"](https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/glenrothes-70-scandal-art-and-royalty-278057). *www.fifetoday.co.uk*. 5 July 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [*The Professional Engineer in Society*](https://books.google.com/books?id=l2UcB50hV7EC&dq=glenrothes+%22silicon+glen%22&pg=PA68). Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 1989. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781853025013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781853025013). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Chalmers, George (1894). [*Caledonia (Volume 7)*](https://books.google.com/books?id=0Dg6AQAAMAAJ). Paisley: Alexander Gardner. pp. 112–119. Retrieved 22 April 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Brown, Keith. ["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"](http://www.rps.ac.uk/trans/1667/1/10). *Records of the Parliament of Scotland*. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 25 February 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, c. 50 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Shennan, Hay (1892). [*Boundaries of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889*](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_meygAAAAMAAJ/page/n285/mode/2up?q=fife). Edinburgh: W. Green. p. 249. Retrieved 22 April 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929"](https://legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1929/25/), *[legislation.gov.uk](/source/Legislation.gov.uk)*, [The National Archives](/source/The_National_Archives_(United_Kingdom)), 1929 c. 25, retrieved 22 April 2023 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Historic Environment Scotland. ["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 (LB24160)"](https://www.trove.scot/designation/LB24160). Retrieved 18 July 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Historic Environment Scotland. ["Cupar, Tolbooth (Site no. NO31SE 17)"](https://www.trove.scot/place/31497). Retrieved 4 July 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-MPs_of_Fife_21-0)** ["MPs of Fife"](http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/?search_term=Fife). *Parliament UK*. Retrieved 1 August 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Kirkcaldy_and_Cowdenbeath_22-0)** ["Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath parliamentary constituency – Election 2017"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000041). *BBC News*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Fife North East parliamentary constituency – Election 2017"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000049). *BBC News*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Scottish_Election_Results_2016_Results_24-0)** ["Scotland Election 2016"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2016/scotland/results). *BBC News*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Briefly"](https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers). *Aberdeen Press and Journal*. 26 November 1975. p. 15. Retrieved 22 April 2023. ...at the last meeting of Fife Regional Council to take place in County Hall, Cupar, before they move to Fife House, Glenrothes... 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ferguson_p91_26-0)** Ferguson *A History of Glenrothes* p.91. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["The Imperial gazetteer of Scotland; or, Dictionary of Scottish topography"](https://archive.org/stream/imperialgazettee01wils#page/n778/mode/1up). 21 July 2010. Retrieved 14 April 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Fife Place-name Data :: The East Neuk"](https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/placename/?id=1652). Fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk. Retrieved 16 April 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Evans, Anna; Graham, Eddy; Rae, Alasdair; Robertson, Douglas; Serpa, Regina (October 2019). ["Research into the impact of short-term lets on communities across Scotland"](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) (PDF). *Scottish Government*. The Indigo House Group in association with IBP Strategy and Research. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Why the East Neuk has lasting appeal | Bricks & Mortar"](https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/why-the-east-neuk-has-lasting-appeal-7266ztjxh). *The Times*. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** ["Visitors stay away but second home owners remain in East Neuk villages"](https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/1261234/visitors-stay-away-but-second-home-owners-remain-in-east-neuk-villages/). 13 April 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** ["Empty and second homes causing housing crisis"](https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/empty-and-second-homes-causing-housing-crisis-1428771). The Scotsman. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["Home"](https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a1a62-eab8-76fc-98d0-f7e8423a5077). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Home"](https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/webapi/opentable?id=019a2022-ecdd-77ea-96ad-569f0c5b3786). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_35-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_35-1) Census Dissemination Unit, Mimas (5 May 2011). ["InFuse"](https://infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk/). *infuse2011gf.ukdataservice.ac.uk*. Retrieved 24 June 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** ["Scotland's Census 2011 – Table KS201SC"](http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html). scotlandscensus.gov.uk. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190107044126/https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/ods-web/standard-outputs.html%20) from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2022census_Scot_37-0)** ["Scotland's Census 2022 - Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion - Chart data"](https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/media/trbdxzme/scotland-s-census-2022-ethnic-group-national-identity-language-and-religion-chart-data.xlsx). *Scotland's Census*. [National Records of Scotland](/source/National_Records_of_Scotland). 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024. [Alternative URL](https://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk/search-the-census#/search-by) 'Search data by location' > 'Local Authority (CA2019)' > 'Fife' > 'Ethnic group, national identity, language and religion' > 'Ethnic Group' 1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** ["Mid 2012 population estimates of settlements"](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) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://gro-scotland.gov.uk/files2/stats/population-estimates/special-area/mid-2012-settlement/2012-pop-est-sett-local-main-tab3a.pdf) (PDF) on 27 October 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** ["Population estimates for settlements and localities in Scotland: mid-2020"](https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/population-estimates-for-settlements-and-localities-in-scotland-mid-2020/). [National Records of Scotland](/source/National_Records_of_Scotland). 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** ["Fife Place-name Data :: Parish: Ferry-Port-on-Craig"](https://fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk/parish/?id=38). *fife-placenames.glasgow.ac.uk*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** ["Community Councils"](https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/council-and-democracy/politicians-and-committees/community-councils/asset-listings/community-councils). *Fife Council*. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2023.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fife's_listed_buildings_45-0)** ["Fife's listed buildings"](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). Historic Scotland. Archived from [the original](http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/historicandlistedbuildings/listedbuildingsresults.htm?p_out=xml&p_all=Fife&p_couname=Fife&p_parbur=0) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2009. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** ["Byre Theatre to reopen after University of St Andrews agree rescue package"](http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/byre-theatre-to-reopen-after-university-of-st-andrews-agree-rescue-package.1408445352). *Herald Scotland*. 19 August 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** ["Byre Theatre in St Andrews board 'deeply regrets' closure"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-21211928). *BBC News*. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** ["History of the Gala – Dunfermline Children's Gala"](https://dunfermlinegala.com/history-of-the-gala/). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** ["Lothian Basketball Association - Home"](https://lothian.leaguerepublic.com:443/index.html). *lothian.leaguerepublic.com*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-50)** [http://www.fifesteel.co.uk/](http://www.fifesteel.co.uk/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200810195702/http://fifesteel.co.uk/) 10 August 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) [*[bare URL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Bare_URLs)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-51)** Foundry, The Theme (25 October 2013). ["The Courier | British Newspapers Online"](https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/scotland/the-courier/). ## External links [Wikisource](/source/Wikisource) has the text of the [1911 *Encyclopædia Britannica*](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica_Eleventh_Edition) article "[Fife (Scotland)](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Fife_(Scotland))". - [KnowFife Dataset](https://know.fife.scot) **Fife** at Wikipedia's [sister projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_sister_projects): - [**Media**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fife,_Scotland) from Commons - [**Travel guides**](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Fife) from Wikivoyage Fife v t e Settlements in Fife Cities Dunfermline Towns Anstruther Auchtermuchty Ballingry Buckhaven Burntisland Cardenden Cowdenbeath Cupar Dalgety Bay Elie and Earlsferry Glenrothes Inverkeithing Kincardine Kinghorn Kirkcaldy Leuchars Leven Lochgelly Methil Newburgh Newport-on-Tay Rosyth St Andrews Tayport Villages and hamlets Abercrombie Aberdour Arncroach Auchterderran Auchtertool Balmalcolm Balmerino Balmullo Blairhall Blebo Craigs Boarhills Bonnybank Bottomcraig Bowershall Cadham Cairneyhill Cameron Bridge Carnbee Carnock Cellardyke Ceres Charlestown Coaltown of Balgonie Coaltown of Wemyss Colinsburgh Collessie Comrie Crail Creich Crossford Crossgates Culross Cults Dairsie Drumeldrie Dunino East Coaltown East Wemyss Falkland Freuchie Gateside Gauldry Glencraig Guardbridge Halbeath Hill of Beath Hillend Jamestown Kelty Kemback Kennoway Kilconquhar Kilmany Kilrenny Kinglassie Kingsbarns Kingseat Kingskettle Ladybank Largoward Lathones Leslie Letham Limekilns Lindores Logie Lochore Lower Largo Lumphinnans Lundin Links Luthrie Markinch Milton of Balgonie Monimail Moonzie North Queensferry Oakley Pickletillum Pitlessie Pitscottie Pittenweem Saline Springfield St Monans Star Steelend Strathkinness Strathmiglo Thornton Torryburn Townhill Upper Largo Valleyfield Wellwood Wemyss West Coaltown West Wemyss Windygates Woodhaven Wormit List of places in Fife v t e Schools in Fife Nursery schools Secret Garden (outdoor nursery) Primary schools McLean Primary School Secondary schools Auchmuty High School Balwearie High School Beath High School Bell Baxter High School Dunfermline High School Glenrothes High School Glenwood High School Inverkeithing High School Kirkcaldy High School Levenmouth Academy Lochgelly High School Madras College Queen Anne High School St. Andrew's R.C. High School St. Columba's R.C. High School Viewforth High School Waid Academy Woodmill High School Special schools Benarty Primary Education Centre The Bridges Centre Calaiswood School Cupar Primary Education Centre Dunfermline Support Centre East Fife Support Centre Glenrothes Education Centre Glenrothes off Campus Support Centre Headwell School Hyndhead School John Fergus School Kilmaron School Kirkcaldy Support Centre Levenmouth Support Centre Robert Henryson School Rosslyn School Independent schools St Leonards School Defunct schools Buckhaven High School Kirkland High School and Community College Lochgelly North School New Park School v t e Football in Fife SPFL teams Championship: Dunfermline Athletic Raith Rovers League One: Kelty Hearts League Two: East Fife Lowland League teams Cowdenbeath East of Scotland League teams Premier Division: Dundonald Bluebell Hill of Beath Hawthorn Glenrothes St Andrews United First Division: Crossgates Primrose Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts Kirkcaldy & Dysart Lochore Welfare Thornton Hibs Second Division: Burntisland Shipyard Kennoway Star Hearts Oakley United Third Division: Lochgelly Albert Newburgh Junior / Midlands League teams Tayport Amateur teams See: Kingdom of Fife AFA Women's teams East Fife Defunct clubs Senior: Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy United Lassodie Lochgelly Amateurs Lochgelly United Rosyth Rosyth Dockyard Recreation Townhill Junior: Ballingry Rovers Hearts of Beath Inverkeithing United Steelend Victoria Venues Bayview Stadium Central Park East End Park Humbug Park Stark's Park Current Bayview Park North End Park Recreation Park, Lochgelly Historic Other topics Fife derby Fife Cup Fife Junior Football League SJFA East Region Central Division v t e Rugby union in Fife Governing body Midlands District Rugby Union National League teams Kirkcaldy RFC Howe of Fife RFC Regional Leagues teams Dunfermline RFC Glenrothes RFC Madras Rosyth Sharks Waid Academy FPRFC College and university teams University of St Andrews RFC Fife College RFC Tournaments Glenrothes Sevens Howe of Fife Sevens Kirkcaldy Sevens St. Andrews University Sevens Waid Academy F.P. Sevens Defunct clubs Dalgety Bay Police Scotland Fife West Fife Cupar RFC Newport RFC Stadiums and related articles Beveridge Park Carleton Park Duffus Park McKane Park Rosyth Park Station Park University Park Waid Park v t e NHS Fife Hospitals Adamson Hospital Cameron Hospital Glenrothes Hospital Lynebank Hospital Queen Margaret Hospital Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital St Andrews Community Hospital Stratheden Hospital Victoria Hospital Whyteman's Brae Hospital v t e Mormaers or Earls of Fife Causantín Gille Míchéil Donnchadh I Donnchadh II Máel Coluim I Máel Coluim II Colbán Donnchadh III Donnchadh IV Isabella Robert Stewart Murdoch Stewart v t e Council elections in Fife Fife Regional Council 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 Abolished Fife Council 1995 1999 2003 2007 2012 2017 2022 Dunfermline District Council 1974 1977 1980 1984 1988 1992 Abolished Kirkcaldy District Council 1974 1977 1980 1984 1988 1992 Abolished North East Fife District Council 1974 1977 1980 1984 1988 1992 Abolished v t e Wards of Fife West Fife and Coastal Villages Dunfermline North Dunfermline Central Dunfermline South Rosyth Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Cowdenbeath Lochgelly, Cardenden and Benarty Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy North Kirkcaldy Central Kirkcaldy East Glenrothes West and Kinglassie Glenrothes North, Leslie and Markinch Glenrothes Central and Thornton Howe of Fife and Tay Coast Tay Bridgehead St Andrews East Neuk and Landward Cupar Leven, Kennoway and Largo Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages v t e Local government of Scotland Council areas Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire Angus Argyll and Bute Clackmannanshire Dumfries and Galloway Dundee City East Ayrshire East Dunbartonshire East Lothian East Renfrewshire City of Edinburgh Falkirk Fife Glasgow City Highland Inverclyde Midlothian Moray Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) North Ayrshire North Lanarkshire Orkney Perth and Kinross Renfrewshire Scottish Borders Shetland South Ayrshire South Lanarkshire Stirling West Dunbartonshire West Lothian Councils Aberdeen City Aberdeenshire Angus Argyll and Bute Clackmannanshire Dumfries and Galloway Dundee City East Ayrshire East Dunbartonshire East Lothian East Renfrewshire City of Edinburgh Falkirk Fife Glasgow City Highland Inverclyde Midlothian Moray Comhairle nan Eilean Siar North Ayrshire North Lanarkshire Orkney Islands Perth and Kinross Renfrewshire Scottish Borders Shetland Islands South Ayrshire South Lanarkshire Stirling West Dunbartonshire West Lothian List by area, population, density v t e Local government areas of Scotland, in use 1975 to 1996 Borders Berwickshire Ettrick and Lauderdale Roxburgh Tweeddale Central Clackmannan Falkirk Stirling Dumfries and Galloway Annandale and Eskdale Nithsdale Stewartry Wigtown Fife Dunfermline Kirkcaldy North East Fife Grampian City of Aberdeen Banff and Buchan Gordon Kincardine and Deeside Moray Highland Badenoch and Strathspey Caithness Inverness Lochaber Nairn Ross and Cromarty Skye and Lochalsh Sutherland Lothian East Lothian City of Edinburgh Midlothian West Lothian Strathclyde Argyll and Bute Bearsden and Milngavie Strathkelvin Clydebank Cumbernauld and Kilsyth Cumnock and Doon Valley Cunninghame Dumbarton East Kilbride Eastwood City of Glasgow Hamilton Inverclyde Kilmarnock and Loudoun Kyle and Carrick Clydesdale Monklands Motherwell Renfrew Tayside Angus City of Dundee Perth and Kinross Island areas1 Orkney Shetland Western Isles 1 The island areas were unitary authorities, combining the powers of a region and a district. v t e Former local government counties of Scotland Aberdeenshire Angus Argyll Ayrshire Banffshire Berwickshire Bute Caithness Clackmannanshire Cromartyshire (to 1889) Dumfriesshire Dunbartonshire East Lothian Fife Inverness-shire Kincardineshire Kinross-shire Kirkcudbrightshire Lanarkshire Midlothian Moray Nairnshire Orkney Peeblesshire Perthshire Renfrewshire Ross-shire (to 1889) Ross and Cromarty (from 1889) Roxburghshire Selkirkshire Shetland Stirlingshire Sutherland West Lothian Wigtownshire v t e Traditional provinces and districts of Scotland Major districts (former counties, provincial lordships and rural deaneries) The Aird Annandale Angus Argyll Atholl Boyne Buchan Badenoch Breadalbane Caithness Carrick Lanark (or Clydesdale) Cowal Cunningham Desnes Eskdale Farines Fife Fothriff Galloway Garioch Garmoran The Glenkens Gowrie Kintyre Knapdale Kyle Lauderdale Lennox Liddesdale Lochaber Lorn Lothian Marr Mearns Menteith Merse Moray Nithsdale The Rhinns Ross (Easter and Wester) Stormont Strathavon Strathbogie Strathearn Strathgryfe Strathnaver Strathspey Sutherland Teviotdale Tweeddale Minor districts Applecross Appin Ardgour Ardmeanach Ardnamurchan Assynt Avondale Balquhidder Benderloch The Black Isle Braemar Coigach Cromar Cromdale Desnes Ioan Desnesmor Douglasdale Durness Dùthaich MhicAoidh Eddrachilles Enzie Ettrickdale Ewesdale Formartine Gairloch Glen Albyn Glen Almond Glen Cassley Glen Clova Glen Dochart Glen Esk Glen Lethnot Glen Lyon Glen Moriston Glen Orchy Glen Prosen Glen Spean Glen Urquhart Glenelg Glengarry Glenshee Gruinard Howe of Fife Howe of the Mearns Kintail Kintyre Knoydart Lochalsh Loch Broom Locheil The Machars Midmar Moidart Morar Morvern Muir of Ord Rannoch Moor Rhinns of Kells Strath Gartney Strath of Kildonan Strath Oykel Strath Tay Strathallan Strathardle Strathbran Strathbraan Strathcarron (Forth) Strathcarron (Oykel) Strathconon Strathdearn Strathdeveron Strathdee (Deeside) Strathdon Strathfarrar Strathglass Strathisla Strathmore Strathyre Sunart Trossachs Insular districts For smaller islands, usually districts in their own right, see List of Scottish islands Islands of the Clyde Arran Cumbrae Islay The Oa Rinns of Islay Mull Aros Ross of Mull Skye Duirinish Minginish Sleat Trotternish Waternish Outer Hebrides Harris (North Harris, South Harris) Lewis (The Lochs, West Side, Point, Back) Orkney Pomona Hoy and Walls Rousay Shapinsay South Ronaldsay Westray Shetland Mainland (Central Mainland, North Mainland, South Mainland, West Mainland) Fetlar Unst Whalsay Yell North Isles Border areas Debatable Lands East March Middle March West March Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND National United States Czech Republic Israel Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fife](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.