Fife

Known locally as the ‘Kingdom of Fife’, this is Scotland’s third largest local authority, with a population of just under 360,000.  Referred to by King James VI of Scotland as a ‘beggar’s mantle fringed wi gowd’, the golden fringe he was referring to was Fife’s coast and chain of small ports with their thriving fishing fleets and trade in wool, linen, coal and salt.  While this is still in evidence today, Fife has lots more heritage to explore.  Historical buildings include Dunfermline Abbey, Ravenscraig Castle in Kirkcaldy and the University of St Andrews.  This is Scotland’s oldest university, the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge, and was attended by Prince William and Lady Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.  Royalty aside, famous ‘Fifers’ include former prime minister Gordon Brown, writer Ian Rankin and singer Barbara Dickson.

Barchester homes in Fife: