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"The Kingdom of Fife" as it is usually known, lies
between the River Forth and the River Tay.
The rail bridges over these stretches of water are two
of the most famous in the world
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The Forth Bridge which connects Fife to Edinburgh in
the South and the Tay Bridge which was so
dramatically destroyed by storms with loss of a
train and 90 passengers on
"The last Sabbath day of 1879 ... which will be
remember' d for a very long time"
(William McGonagall) connecting with Dundee in the
north.
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Forth road and rail bridges seen
from the south shore.
Photo: DHD Multimedia Gallery |
Images of the Forth Railway Bridge's unique cantilever
construction are recognised the world over.
Located 9
miles west of Edinburgh and completed in 1890, it was
built to carry twin rail tracks between Edinburgh and
Dundee northwards, a task which it still performs to
this day carrying the main East Coast line between
London and Aberdeen.
Adjacent is the
road suspension bridge which was completed in 1964.
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Fife is understandably proud of its
history and many visitors are attracted by its
historical connections. For more than 500 years,
Dunfermline was the nation's capital and is the final
resting place of Robert the Bruce.
St. Andrews, world
famous for its golf and ancient University (with Royal
connections) was also once the ecclesiastical centre for
Scotland.
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Much of the area's industrial heritage
has disappeared but there are museums that keep alive the
memories of coal mining and textile industries.
Kirkcaldy
became the commercial centre of Fife and still remains the
area's main shopping venue.
It was here that Sir Michael Nairn started his business
that made Kirkcaldy the Linoleum capital of the world
Floor coverings are still manufactured here.
Robert Adam
(1723 - 90), the famous architect, was born here as was
Adam Smith (1728 - 92), the economist who wrote "The
Wealth of Nations".
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The eastern part of Fife which juts out into the North
Sea is called the "East Neuk" (corner).
Apart from its
quaint picturesque fishing villages, it can also boast
some of the finest uncrowded sandy beaches in the UK.
The area is ideal if you are looking for a quiet and
peaceful holiday with perhaps a little bracing sea air
... not to mention some of the finest links golf courses
you could ever hope to see!
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Although some fishing activity still
carries on in the East Neuk's small bustling harbours,
as in the rest of Britain, the industry is now no longer
the great employer it once was.
The Herring boats have all gone long
ago and with fishing quotas determined by Europe, UK
boats find the size of their catches of all fish
restricted whilst foreign boats plunder the stocks ....
Ah well! That's progress. |
"Reaper" leaving harbour |
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The
Scottish
Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, opened in 1969,
occupies 27,000sq ft including two “A” listed buildings
– a Merchant house (1724) and an Abbot's lodging (16th
C).
Berthed in the harbour opposite is
the Museum's own veteran sea-going 1902 Fifie, Reaper,
seen above leaving harbour.
The Reaper houses a small
display describing life on board the fishing vessel and
is crewed by the Museum's Boats Club.
When not in
Anstruther, she attends festivals and events around
Britain.
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A preserved "Zulu" |
In the days of sail, each area of the UK seemed to
develop its own type of boat.
Most popular with the
fishermen of Fife was the "Fifie" design which was a
strong sea-going vessel but a later design from 1879 was
the Zulu, built on the Moray Firth where they were
preferred for their greater manoeuvrability.
In addition to the original courtyard and
buildings, the museum now has a covered boatyard and a
gallery housing a preserved 78 ft “Zulu” dating from the
early 1900's.
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The museum admits
accompanied children free (up to 5 per family),
so little for such a memorable experience!
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In medieval times, much of Scotland's
trade with Europe was via the small ports on this coast.
The influence of this trade on local architecture can be
seen in the Flemish-style crow-stepped gables on some of
the cottages, whitewashed buildings, red pan-tiles and
narrow cobbled streets that make the area so attractive.
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The north of the Fife, bordering the
famous salmon-fishing waters of the River Tay is
predominantly agricultural with patchwork fields, some of
which are covered at certain times of the year with
polytunnels full of delicious fruit.
For visitors wanting
a base in Fife but also wanting to explore Perth &
Kinross, Dundee and Angus, this area is ideal.
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Fife's history means that there are lots
of castles, fortified tower houses, abbeys, ruins and
museums to explore.
Its open countryside and coast is also
ideal for walking, activity and watersports holidays.
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Tourist
Information Centres:
Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board
Haig Business Park, Balgonie Road, Markinch, Fife, KY7 6AQ
Tel: 01334 472021 Fax: 01592 611180
Anstruther (seasonal)
Scottish Fisheries Museum, Harbourhead, Anstruther, KY10 3AB
Tel: 01333 311073
E-mail:
anstruther@visitscotland.com
Crail (seasonal)
Crail Museum & Heritage Centre, 62-64 Marketgate, Crail, KY10
3TL
Tel: 01333 450869
E-mail:
crail@visitscotland.com
Dunfermline
1 High Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7DL
Tel: 01383 720999
E-mail:
dunfermline@visitscotland.com
Kirkcaldy
The Merchant's house, 339 High Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1JL
Tel: 01592 267775
E-mail:
kirkcaldy@visitscotland.com
St. Andrews
70 Market Street, St Andrews, KY16 9NU
Tel: 01334 472021
E-mail:
standrews@visitscotland.com
Useful
Links:
None presently available
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