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Glenrothes
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Glenrothes

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Also known as Glenrothes, Fife, Gleann Rathais

Glenrothes ( ; ; , ) is a town situated in the heart of Fife, in east-central Scotland. It had a population of 39,277 in the 2011 census, making it the third largest settlement in Fife and the 18th most populous locality in Scotland. Glenrothes is the administrative capital of Fife, containing the headquarters of both Fife Council and Police Scotland Fife Division and is a major service and employment centre within the area.

Key facts

UK place.static_image_caption
From top, left to right: View looking west towards Glenrothes from St Drostan's Cemetery, Riverside Park Pond, Rothes Square, 'Giant Irises' sculpture Leslie Roundabout, 'The Hippo' sculpture in town centre, Ex Terra sculture and bus station.
UK place.population_ref
()
UK place.statistic1
()
UK place.statistic_title1
Settlement
UK place.area_total_sq_mi
8
UK place.os_grid_reference
NO281015
UK place.map_type
Scotland
UK place.post_town
GLENROTHES
UK place.postcode_area
KY
UK place.postcode_district
KY6, KY7
UK place.dial_code
01592
UK place.constituency_westminster
Glenrothes and Mid Fife
UK place.gaelic_name
Gleann Rathais
UK place.unitary_scotland
Fife
UK place.lieutenancy_scotland
Fife
UK place.constituency_scottish_parliament
Mid Fife and Glenrothes
UK place.official_name
Glenrothes
UK place.type
Administrative centre and town

via Wikipedia infobox

~70 min read

Encyclopedic overview

37 sections
Contents
  • History
  • Toponymy
  • Early known settlement
  • Glenrothes new town
  • Industrial history
  • Modern history
  • Governance
  • Geography
  • Built environment and urban form
  • Geology
  • Climate
  • Demography
  • Economy
  • Industry
  • Retail, leisure and service sectors
  • Public and voluntary sectors
  • Regeneration and future development
  • Culture and community
  • Public artworks
  • Civic and heritage facilities
  • Community hospital facilities
  • Social clubs, organisations and community events
  • Public parks and horticulture
  • Sports facilities, clubs and events
  • Town twinning
  • Notable residents
  • Landmarks
  • Education
  • Primary schools
  • List of primary schools
  • Secondary schools
  • Further education
  • Transport
  • References
  • Notes
  • Bibliography
  • External links

Glenrothes ( ; ; , ) is a town situated in the heart of Fife, in east-central Scotland. It had a population of 39,277 in the 2011 census, making it the third largest settlement in Fife and the 18th most populous locality in Scotland. Glenrothes is the administrative capital of Fife, containing the headquarters of both Fife Council and Police Scotland Fife Division and is a major service and employment centre within the area.

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. 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 avoid confusion with Rothes in Moray and in recognition that the town lies in a river valley. The motto of Glenrothes is , meaning "Strength from the earth", which dates back to the founding of the town.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Glenrothes” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Gallery (34)

On the map

3 mapped locations