Fife

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Fife (Fìobha) is a county in the North East Scotland|north east of Scotland. It's a lowland peninsula, with the broad Firth of Forth to the south and the smaller Firth of Tay to the north, and great bridges for its gateways. Its name may derive from the Pictish kingdom of Fib.

Towns and villages

Fife map - Map of Fife 56.180 |-3.110 "The Kingdom of Fife" is a mix of urban and rural, in four areas: West Fife is close to the Forth rail and road bridges, so it's commuterland for Edinburgh, and there's a lot of industry interspersed with places well worth seeing. North Queensferry GPS 56.0112,-3.3961 is usually somewhere far beneath as you cross the bridge. Turn off and descend for Deep Sea World and vistas of the bridges. Dunfermline GPS 56.07192,-3.4393, a former capital of Scotland, has an interesting Abbey. Rosyth GPS 56.03388,-3.43226 just west has a navy base and is industrial. Culross GPS 56.0554,-3.6293 is a gem, a charming 16th / 17th C restored coastal town.

West, upriver and the coast becomes muddy. The next bridge is Kincardine, for routes to Glasgow and Stirling. The coast is better eastwards:

Aberdour GPS 56.052778,-3.302105 is a small commuter town on the coast, with a stump of castle. Burntisland GPS 56.06,-3.231 and Kinghorn are two further towns and then midpoint is Kirkcaldy GPS 56.11073,-3.16737, birthplace of Adam Smith, "the father of modern economics". Central Fife is mostly industrial. There is little reason to visit Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Kelty or the county town Glenrothes GPS 56.197,-3.171 }}. Falkland GPS 56.25,-3.2 however is worth seeing for its ruined palace. Leven GPS 56.195,-2.994167 is the last eyesore along the coast and then the view improves. crail - Crail Harbour The East Neuk is the coastal stretch east of Leven. Attractive little fishing ports here are Elie, Street Monans, Pittenweem,Anstruther GPS 56.22344,-2.70274, Crail and Kingsbarns. Isle of May GPS 56.190,-2.558 , five miles out to sea, is a nature reserve swarming with birds and seals. It's usually visited by boat trip from Anstruther, occasionally from Crail or North Berwick east of Edinburgh. North Fife is close to the Tay bridges, and commuterland for Dundee. Inland are Cupar GPS 56.32,-3.01 and other small places, but the standout is St Andrews GPS 56.3404,-2.7955, home of golf and the oldest university in Scotland.

Fife Halal Travel Guide

While Fife is often looked upon now as little more than the northern commuter belt to Edinburgh and the town of St. Andrews its people are very proud of their past. Fife has a history steeped in economic achievement - from its founder father, Adam Smith (born in Kirkcaldy) to perhaps the world's greatest businessman/philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie (born in Dunfermline). This current tradition was upheld by the 2007 - 2010 UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

Local Languages

The major language (as in the rest of Scotland) is English, but the Fife acccent can be difficult to understand (for those not used to the variety of accent in the UK, and not as difficult as some areas of Scotland). Many people, as in much of the rest of Scotland, use a form of English known as 'Lallans' or Lowlands English which does include some words that you may not be used to (for example "aye" for "yes" or "ken" for "know"). "Braw" is used locally as a word for general approval that you may be unfamiliar with (even having experience with speaking to Scottish people). As in "That'd be braw" meaning "That'd be fine/great", or simply "Braw!" meaning "Great!" or "OK!". However, you need fear not! Speaking (standard/normal/American/Australian/English) "English" will not make you incomprehensible to Fifers, and Fifers will generally try to make themselves understood to you if you have problems with the dialect (I wouldn't push it too far in a pub later on in the evening, however). As with the rest of the UK do not expect foreign language capability to be great, or even good (with the feasible exception of areas such as Street Andrews where the people are more used to tourists). Most people are educated in French or (German), some in Spanish or Italian, but generally not to a conversational level (that they remember!). There are, of course, exceptions to this rule.

Travel to Fife

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Fife

Close to Fife is* Edinburgh Airport | 55.94838, -3.36398 (IATA Flight Code: EDI). It has a good range of flights across Europe, to London and elsewhere in UK; and it's west of the city so you can connect without getting embroiled in city traffic. To Fife, take the direct Stagecoach Jet 747 bus from Airport Stop G. This runs across the old Forth Road Bridge to Inverkeithing and Halbeath Interchange, 45 min. It costs £6.50 single and £12 for a return within 28 days, and runs daily 24 hours, every 20 mins daytime. Change at Inverkeithing for trains to Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Markinch (for Glenrothes), Ladybank, Cupar, Leuchars (for Street Andrews) and Dundee and points north. Change at Halbeath for local buses around Fife. Other options from Edinburgh Airport are to take the airport bus or tram to Haymarket for trains north. Or with a hire car, turn west and within ten minutes you're crossing the new Forth Bridge into Fife. Glasgow Airport (IATA Flight Code: GLA) has good connections across Europe, but it's wrong side of Glasgow for Fife: reckon a 90 min to two hour drive to most parts of the county. You're unlikely to use Dundee Airport. It has a daily flight to London Stansted but that's all.

Travel by train to Fife

Trains from Edinburgh (or further south) to Dundee (or Aberdeen) stop at Inverkeithing, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kirkcaldy, Markinch, Cupar and Leuchars (for Street Andrews). You can use the GNER service on the East Coast Mainline directly from London to Kirkcaldy, though thit is a long trip. There is also a very good local or 'circle' service which services Dunfermline, Rosyth, Thornton (for Glenrothes, although Markinch is also handy) and other towns.

By car

Use the M90 motorway to access Fife from the north (Perth) or south (Edinburgh). A92 gives access from Dundee/Aberdeen. Also easy access from Stirling to Kincardine/Dunfermline via A985. A92/A985/A91 are major trunk routes through Fife.

Travel on a Bus in Fife

Major bus stations in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Glenrothes, Street Andrews and Cupar are served by Stagecoach among others (for example, some Megabus services make stops at Inverkeithing). See above for details of getting to Fife by bus from Edinburgh Airport.

Get Around

Roads are in generally good condition and not too crowded. The only motorway (the M90) passes straight through Fife, and the dual carriageway network is limited - so only drive if you feel comfortable on single carriageway roads, and some even smaller roads. To get around most areas (including to get to Street Andrews) you will need to take trunk roads and through towns. Many of these towns have traffic calming schemes in place that can be difficult to negotiate (for example in Colinsburgh) or have through roads that are very narrow (or have parking on one side) where traffic can only really pass in one direction at a time (for example in Kingskettle). Don't let this put you off, though - take your time and remember to drive on the left (keep yourself as driver and the steering wheel towards the center of the road at all times, just as at home!) and you can see some of the best parts of Fife - the North Fife Tourist trail through the East Neuk is a fantastic route to drive to Street Andrews, stopping in the picturesque villages en route. Falkland has some bad blind corners, so take care. Generally speaking and the most convenient way to get from Edinburgh (Airport) to Street Andrews is to hire a vehicle and drive - especially if you're arriving with golf clubs! Check Traveline Scotland ] for full details of public transport and a journey planner. Bus and rail services are excellent (the 'Fife Circular' service runs from Edinburgh Waverley to all train stations in West and Central Fife. The main line service runs to Inverkeithing in West Fife, Kirkcaldy in East Fife and Leucars in North East Fife.) There is an excellent series of cycle tracks throughout Fife. The cycle route from Edinburgh to Aberdeen also passes through Fife. On foot you can take the Coastal Path ] which starts (and ends) at the Kincardine, Tay or Forth Road Bridges.

What to See

• Culross 16 / 17th C village
• The Secret Bunker: built as a control bunker for a nuclear war, now open to the public. It's near Anstruther.
• East Neuk: charming, photogenic fishing villages, notably Elie, Pittenweem, Crail and Anstruther.
• Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery.
• Falkland Palace, where Mary Queen of Scots was a girl.
• MacDuff's Castle, near Leven
• Street Andrews of course.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Fife

Get on your bike and enjoy the marvellous cycle routes Visit the county's many fine parks (Beveridge in Kirkcaldy, Pittencrieff in Dunfermline, Lochore Meadows, etc.).

Halal Restaurants

Anstrutherfishbar2 - Anstruther Fish Bar For Fish & Chips (or Ice Cream!) try the Anstruther Fish Cafe ], which has won awards. Be ready for a long queue at busy times, though. The Pavilion ] in Elie is actually a (golf) pavilion, but offers good food (including local seafood) at a decent price. It's also an Internet Cafe. If you're more adventurous, try lobster directly by the harbour in Crail (look for the small wooden hut). Fife has many pubs: The Alpha Cafe in Kirkcaldy; The Valleyfield Cafe in High Valleyfield; Shardays in Lochgelly all offer a truly local experience. The Stag Inn in Falkland is a nice pub with a pubby atmosphere. Cash only!

• The Harbour Cafe | High Street, Kirkcaldy - Fife's only pub with a micro brewery and a former winner of CAMRA's Scottish pub of the year and U.K. runner-up.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Fife

Fife - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Fife, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Fife. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Fife and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Fife. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Fife. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Fife: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Fife. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Fife: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Fife, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Fife. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Fife, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Fife, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Fife and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Fife, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Fife, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Fife without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Fife is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Fife. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Fife is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Fife, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Fife Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Fife

eHalal Group Fife is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Fife. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Fife. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Fife ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Fife. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Fife, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Fife are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Fife has a vast number of places offering lodging. One of the easiest way to find them is using one of the following sites. The lodging page of Visit Scotland gives you access to accredited lodging all through Scotland. Links to a selection of top quality Bed & Breakfasts in Fife.

Stay Safe

Crime in Fife is low, and serious assaults are uncommon. As always, it makes sense to avoid badly lit areas at night, especially in large towns, even though there is a slim chance of crime. Fife is served by an excellent police service.

Travel Next

If you head up the coast towards Aberdeen, don't overlook rejuvenated Dundee.

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