Fife News, History & Guide

bounded by two of Scotland’s main Firths, withworld famous produce, not only for export, but for its
the Tay as its northern boundary and the Forth as itsown people, and for the tourist market, who continue
southern. It has the North Sea as its eastern boundary,to travel to Fife in ever increasing numbers.
and before the building of the Bridges across the TayFife is also home to St Andrews, famous for its
and the Forth increased road and rail travel, its manyuniversity, and perhaps more so for its golf. A look at
small and not so small ports were thriving with bothany golf guide will describe it as the ‘golf
traders and tourists who found that ships were a fastmecca’ of the world, and for the average
and convenient method of travel.‘golf’ tourist who sadly has little chance of
Fife is still known as the ‘Kingdom of Fife’, aplaying there, there is the consolation of many other
fact which both confuses and attracts tourists, and thistop quality courses, easily accessible at reasonable
title of ‘Kingdom of Fife emanates from its historycost.
of being one of the ancient Pictish kingdoms. A glanceFife was one of the Pictish kingdoms, known as Fib,
through any Fife business directory, business guide, orand to this day is still commonly known as the
tourist information website, will show that many FifeKingdom of Fife.
businesses still use the word ‘Kingdom’ inIt is a lieutenancy area, and was a county of Scotland
their trading titles, hoping that it will entice more touristsuntil 1975. It was very occasionally known by the
to travel there, savour the ancient history, and ofanglification of Fifeshire in old documents and maps
course use their products and services.compiled by English cartographers and authors. A
As you travel throughout the ‘Kingdom’,person from Fife is known as a Fifer.
whether as a resident or tourist, you will notice aFrom 1975 to 1996 Fife was a local government region
predominance of place names beginning withdivided into three districts — Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy
‘pit’; this is nothing to do with the abundanceand North-East Fife. Since 1996 the functions of the
of coal in Fife, but emanates from the old Pictishdistrict councils have been exercised by the unitary
language, which unlike the coal has not survived theFife Council.
years.Fife is Scotland's 3rd largest local authority area with a
Fife has seen many changes in its long and proudresident population of just over 350,000. Almost a third
history, and is now becoming less industrialized, andof the population lives in the three principal towns of
more focused on its natural attractions from golf toDunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes.
sailing to information technology (IT). It still howeverThe historical town of St Andrews is located on the
retains a very healthy farming community producingeast coast of Fife.