Glenrothes factfile

How to get to Glenrothes
Glenrothes lies 28 miles north of Edinburgh on the A92. An express coach network links the city with Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Leven, Cupar and St Andrews. A frequent train service connects Glenrothes to both Edinburgh and Dundee.

Glenrothes through the ages
The "New Town" of Glenrothes was planned and developed in the 1950s and 1960s. It was designed as a garden city, with an emphasis on well-landscaped, low-rise housing surrounded by parkland and open spaces.

In 1975 Glenrothes took over from Cupar as the administrative capital of Fife.

Sports and leisure in Glenrothes
Glenrothes Golf Club offers an 18-hole course set in beautiful mature parkland to the west of the town. Keen golfers will find no fewer than 97 golf courses within a 30-mile radius of Glenrothes including the home of golf, St Andrews.

For the more adventurous, Glenrothes is home to Tayside Aviation flying school, at Fife Airport. The school offers beginners a chance to experience flying with an instructor; for those who already hold a pilot licence, there are small planes available to rent. The airport also houses an award-winning restaurant.

Arts and culture in Glenrothes
Rothes Halls is the cultural heart of Glenrothes. Part of Fife's Arts and Theatres Trust, Rothes Halls is an entertainment and conference venue featuring art exhibitions, drama, comedy, music, dance and children's shows.

Shopping in Glenrothes
The planners of Glenrothes placed the vast Kingdom Shopping Centre right at the heart of the town centre. This thoroughly modern mall plays host to over 100 shops all under the one roof.

Things to see and do around Glenrothes
Just 8 miles north of Glenrothes is the striking Falkland Palace. Set on the site of a castle originally built by Macduff, Thane of Fife, Falkland Palace was first used as a royal residence in 1380. Subsequent owners have included James IV, James V and his daughter Mary Queen of Scots. The palace is set in the Royal Burgh of Falkland, one of Scotland's first conservation villages.

Natural beauty spots around Glenrothes
Travel west of Glenrothes and you'll come to the beautiful countryside and breathtaking views of Lomond Hills Regional Park. The park includes the two prominent peaks of West Lomond (the highest point in Scotland) and East Lomond. Walking is very popular in the park and the summits of both hills can be climbed fairly easily too.