Glenrothes
As far as the history of Scotland goes Glenrothes is something of a new town, built as it was after the Second World War. Glenrothes is situated in Central Fife and didn’t exist until the 1950’s. As a result of being a designated new town it was built containing all of the facilities that the prospective residents of a new town would need, including plenty of recreational and leisure facilities such as golf courses, sporting venues and open parkland. Unlike many other towns in Scotland which have been founded around a localised industry, the industry came to Glenrothes only in recent years. It is home to a large electronic manufacturing industry and is widely regarded as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the UK.
If you do like to visit places with a sense of ancient history to them, then the town of Markinch is only a couple of miles away and is set within a conservation area. Although the name may not sound familiar the place gets very busy every summer when the Markinch Highland Games take place on the town’s John Dixon Park. Glenrothes makes a perfect place to stay while you explore everything that Fife has to offer.
Things to Do
Scottish history doesn’t get any more real than visiting the house where Mary Queen of Scots once lived, and a long line of members of the Stuart dynasty used to spend their time. The Royal Palace of Falkland was a place where the Stuarts would retreat to in order to hunt in the forests that surrounded the area. According to numerous accounts this is one of the places where Mary Queen of Scots spent some of her happiest times in what was ultimately a rather tragic existence.
The woods and the parklands that surround the palace as still very much as they were in her day, and still make a great place to explore and retreat from your everyday stresses. The palace itself dates back to the early 1500’s, however it was built upon the site of a much earlier fortification from the 12th century, the remains of which can be explored in the castle grounds. As you explore the palace you will discover ancient tapestries and stunning portraits of some of the most powerful people in the history of Scotland.
Places to Visit
Inchcolm Abbey is regarded as being one of the most well preserved monastic sites anywhere in the country. Back in 1235 rather than an abbey it was a priory. It was after Alexander I took shelter here during a storm that the site was developed from a priory into a monastery which was later granted the status of abbey. The dramatic location of the abbey offers some incredible photographic opportunities, a landscape which in reality has changed very little over the centuries. Inside the buildings much of the medieval stone work is still visible including a very rare well painting which dates from the 13th century. If you love wildlife you will love it here as there are plenty of native seals in the area as well as a host of other wildlife.
