racetrack
Knockhill Racing Circuit
Scotland's national motorsport centre, a compact but thrilling circuit with sharp elevation changes near Dunfermline.
22 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomScotland
Glenrothes
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Glenrothes
Glenrothes works well as a base: 10 minutes from Kinglassie, 26km from Queensferry Crossing.
Glenrothes is in Scotland, United Kingdom, with about 38,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Kinglassie, about 5 km away.
Glenrothes ( glen-ROTH-iss; Scots: Glenrothes; Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Rathais, pronounced [kʲlən̪ˠˈrˠahɪʃ]) is a town situated in the heart of Fife, in east-central Scotland. It is the administrative capital of Fife, containing the headquarters of both Fife Council and Police Scotland Fife Division and is a majorRead more
service and employment centre within the area. In the 2022 census, the town had a resident population of 37,468, making it the third-largest settlement in Fife and the 18th most populous locality in Scotland.
The name Glenrothes comes from its historical link with the Earl of Rothes, who owned much of the land on which the new town has been built; Glen (Scottish for valley) was added to the name to distinguish it from Rothes in Moray and in recognition that the town lies in a river valley. The motto of Glenrothes is Ex terra vis, meaning "Strength from the earth", which dates back to the founding of the town. Planned shortly after World War II as Scotland's second new town, its purpose was to generate economic growth and renewal in central Fife. Initially this was to be done by providing new homes, industries, infrastructure and services needed to support the development of a newly established National Coal Board 'super pit', the Rothes Colliery. The mine closed early in its life and the town's economy thereafter transitioned and diversified, establishing it as an important centre for light industry and playing a significant role in establishing Scotland's Silicon Glen between 1961 and 2000.
Today, Glenrothes is a centre for excellence within the high-tech electronics and manufacturing industry sectors; several organisations have their global headquarters in Glenrothes. Major employers include Bosch Rexroth (hydraulics manufacturing), CTDI UK (Electronic Repair), Fife College (education), Leviton (fibre optics manufacturing) and Raytheon (defence and electronics). Glenrothes is unique in Fife as much of the town centre floorspace is internalised within Fife's largest shopping centre, the Kingdom Shopping Centre.
The town has won multiple horticultural awards in the Beautiful Scotland and Britain in Bloom contests for the quality of its parks and landscaping and features numerous outdoor sculptures and artworks resulting from the appointment of town artists in the early development of the town. Public facilities include a regional sports and leisure centre, two golf courses, major parks, a civic centre and theatre and a college campus. The A92 trunk road provides the principal road access, passing through Glenrothes and connecting it to the wider Scottish motorway and trunk road network. A major bus station is located in the town centre, providing regional and local bus services to surrounding settlements. Glenrothes lies on the edge of the Edinburgh–Dundee line and Fife Circle rail line with railway stations serving the town located at Markinch and Thornton.
Where to Stay in Glenrothes
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Glenrothes?
Within an hour or so of Glenrothes: Knockhill Racing Circuit (22 km), Forth Bridge (26 km), The Bikers Cove (26 km), Queensferry Crossing (26 km).
Are there any good drives near Glenrothes?
The nearest famous roads are The Royal Mile, Cairnwell Pass and Glen Lyon.
Where is Glenrothes?
Glenrothes is in Scotland, United Kingdom, about 5 km from Kinglassie.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 38,360
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Scotland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 56.1951, -3.1732
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Glenrothes
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Forth Bridge
UNESCO-listed Victorian cantilever railway bridge spanning the Firth of Forth, a masterwork of 19th-century engineering in 54,000 tonnes of steel.
26 km · about 30 min drive
cafe
The Bikers Cove
A waterfront biker cafe in South Queensferry beneath the iconic Forth bridges, offering stunning views and a warm welcome to riders.
26 km · about 30 min drive
bridge
Queensferry Crossing
The world's longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge, opened in 2017, carrying the M90 high over the Firth of Forth alongside its famous Victorian and 1960s neighbours: three centuries of bridges in one view.
26 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Edinburgh Castle
Dramatic fortress perched atop Castle Rock, dominating the Edinburgh skyline for over 900 years.
27 km · about 30 min drive
historic highway
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
27 km · about 30 min drive
cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh with its distinctive crown spire, mother church of Presbyterianism on the Royal Mile.
27 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Calton Hill
An accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
27 km · about 30 min drive
Driving roads near Glenrothes
- 26 kmQueensferry CrossingThe world's longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge, opened in 2017, carrying the M90 high over the Firth of Forth alongside its famous Victorian and 1960s neighbours: three centuries of bridges in one view.
- 27 kmThe Royal MileEdinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
- 27 kmCalton HillAn accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
- 28 kmArthur's Seat, EdinburghAncient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
- 72 kmQueen's View, Loch TummelA famous viewpoint on the B8019 looking west along Loch Tummel to the cone of Schiehallion.
- 77 kmSchiehallionA conical Perthshire Munro whose regular shape was used in 1774 to weigh the Earth — the experiment that produced contour lines.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Glenrothes.
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