Living And Working In Fife

Fife is situated in eastern Scotland between the Firth of Tay, the Firth of Forth and also borders the north sea. It is often known as ‘the Kingdom of Fife’ with the locals being proud Fifers! Fife is a council area and historic county and has several towns and cities within its area - each with its own unique character. Dunfermline is the largest of these and was awarded city status just last year. Glenrothes is home to the local authority headquarters and is in the heart of Fife being only around thirty miles from Edinburgh.

Fife is well connected by roads through several major routes and if travelling by train then there is an excellent rail network which connects trains locally and also mainline services which connect Fife to Edinburgh and other major destinations. Edinburgh is where the nearest airport is from Fife. Fife is also particularly well known for its iconic bridges, especially the Forth bridges which play a significant role in connecting Fife to the rest of Scotland and are important symbols of the region.

Fife’s history goes back a long way to ancient times with certain places such as St Andrews becoming an important centre for early Christians and having religious influence. By the time of the Industrial Revolution, Fife’s coastal towns and ports were playing a key role for major industries that were flourishing which included coal mining, ship building and fishing. The Forth and Tay estuaries facilitated much of the trade and transport. Fife continued to be a hub for coal mining and heavy industries but a decline of these in the latter half of the twentieth century, as with many other places in the UK, led to some economic challenges.

In recent times, Fife has focused on sectors such as manufacturing and engineering, technology, renewable energy, financial and business services, agriculture, food and drink, medicine, healthcare and education. Tourism contributes significantly towards the economy which attracts visitors because of the many beautiful historic sites of interest and stunning coastal attractions. The region as a whole benefits enormously from its strategic location near major cities and transportation routes which allows Fife to attract investment opportunities. The area can boast a highly skilled workforce and is home to some of the UK’s highest performing small businesses.

The internationally renowned University of St Andrews is a unique place to study and is ideally situated on the east coast in the aptly named historic town of St Andrews!. The university is highly respected with consistent high rankings and a degree from St Andrews is sought after by employers worldwide due to the excellent reputation it maintains. The golf course here is also famous and is considered the ‘home of golf’.

Fife offers a variety of attractions and activities with many interesting tales behind the places. Just a sample of these attractions include Dunfermline Abbey and Palace which is associated with Scottish royalty, Falkland Palace with its beautiful gardens and Fife Coastal Path which is over one hundred miles of scenic trails with picturesque views. Step back in time at the well preserved 17th century village in Culross or take a boat trip to the wildlife rich Isle of May.

Fife has a vibrant cultural scene with various festivals, galleries and theatres. The region has been an inspiration for many artists and writers over the years which is of no surprise. This combined with its rich history and natural beauty, make it a fascinating and picturesque part of Scotland to explore, live and work.

If you’re looking for a new career in Fife, we recommend attending our Fife Careers Fair! Our career fair will offer candidates from all backgrounds, experience and education levels the opportunity to speak to representatives from an abundance of local employers. Book a ticket today!