Fife Property Finder
Help with your Fife property search
There are many highly desirable places to live within Fife, from homes in St Andrews to those in Cupar. Our local buying consultants conduct searches on behalf of private clients across the county. Applying their extensive local knowledge and wealth of relevant industry knowledge to each search to ensure clients make well-informed purchasing decisions.
If you’re considering the best place to live in Fife and would like guidance to decide locations based on your lifestyle and property requirements, the Garrington Scotland team can help you establish which areas are suitable before assisting in finding the perfect property.
Fife buying agent
The Kingdom of Fife is a relatively small yet wonderfully diverse historic county that occupies a peninsula between the Firth of Tay in the north and the southern Firth of Forth, which separates it from Edinburgh.
Fife is rich with beautifully varied landscapes, from rolling green farmland to secluded white sand beaches in the east. Boasting 117 miles of gorgeous coastline, the Fife Coastal Path is a particular attraction along with the iconic green ‘Lomond Hills’, or ‘Paps of Fife’ as locals call them. Fife is an ideal location for those seeking an exceptional country home within an hour’s reach of Edinburgh.
Places to live and lifestyle in Fife
Areas surrounding Aberdour, Falkland, Cupar, and St Andrews are particular favourites when it comes to places to live, and there are several charming country villages dotted around these areas, including the quaint fishing villages of East Neuk spread along the coastline.
There are over 300 miles of cycle paths within Fife, which is a fine way to explore the outdoors, and there is some stunning woodland in Tentsmuir Forest, which leads to the coast where seals, basking sharks, and dolphins can be seen enjoying the clear shallow waters.
Wildlife, heritage and culture
The Scottish Deer Centre is one of Fife’s most popular visitor centres and across its 55 acres is home to all manner of wildlife, including otters, brown bears, Scottish wildcats, and 12 different species of deer. For wildlife enthusiasts, even more can be seen on the islands of Inchkeith and Inchcolm, where thousands of species of birds can be spotted, including puffins.
Nature aside, some of Scotland’s most sought-after Georgian houses and estates are located in Fife, and there are just under 5,000 listed buildings in the region, and the historic architecture is apparent in most of Fife’s towns and villages. Fife is famous for its fresh local produce, and there are some exceptional organic Farmers Markets such as ‘The Pillars of Hercules’ which serves up mouth-watering vegetarian food in its café.
Events and quality of life
Fife’s active cultural scene is another huge draw, with the Pittenweem Arts Festival and Anstruther Muster being particular must-dos for the calendar. The Fife Show is an impressive annual agricultural event which provides a fabulous day out for locals and aims to educate residents about the breeding of livestock whilst providing plenty of entertainment, including falconry and a dog show.
The Kingdom of Fife is known to be one of the happiest places to live in Scotland for its natural beauty, vibrant contemporary and historic culture, and easy commuter links, which combined offer a quality of life that is hard to beat.
Property finders in St Andrews
St Andrews, with its impossibly beautiful location on the east coast of Fife, is one of the UK’s most highly regarded historic university towns and is the oldest in Scotland. Steeped in ancient history, St Andrews Castle and the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, which overlook the dramatic shoreline, are iconic to the town and attract visitors year on year.
Another landmark to St Andrews is the world-famous golf course, aptly named ‘Old Course’ due to its inception dating back to the 16th Century. St Andrews is often referred to as the home of golf and boasts five other golf courses along with the British Golf Museum.
Living and property in St Andrews
As a famous university town, known throughout the world for where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge first met, the amenities available here are exceptional, with charming independent boutiques and delicious eateries.
There are two stunning beaches in St Andrews, one of which (West Sands) was where the opening scene from Chariots of Fire was famously filmed. Magnificent views can be enjoyed on walks along the beaches, and the surrounding scenery is truly impressive. Whilst properties in St Andrews demand a premium, there are few towns that offer quite such an abundance of history, culture, activities, and amenities.
Schools and transport in St Andrews
Ancient architecture is very much enjoyed here, and there are some striking Georgian homes in the town. For those choosing a more rural setting, the place is surrounded by stretches of green rolling hills where the fresh coastal air can still be enjoyed. St Andrews is home to St Leonards private school, which is a popular choice, and there are other well-reputed state schools nearby.
St Andrews still does not have a central rail station, but is served by Leuchers Railway Station, which can be reached in ten minutes by car. From there, it is just an hour by train to Edinburgh.
Property in Cupar
The historic market town of Cupar is another popular choice for those seeking rural town living, or likewise those looking to enjoy the countryside with all the amenities of the town close by.
Cupar, which is located in the flatlands of ‘The Howe of Fife’, is the capital of Fife and has a medieval charm whilst offering a substantial choice of retail establishments and leisure activities. Cupar hosts the biennial Cupar Arts Festival and is home to the Scottish Deer Centre.
Villages around Cupar
There are some delightful villages encircling Cupar, including Ceres, which is one of the few villages in Scotland to have a village green with a lovely burn running through, and is home to The Fife Folk Museum. Scotstarvit Tower is a 16th century landmark in the area, along with the Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Gardens, which host regular guided tours and activities.
Lindores Abbey, known as the Spiritual Home of Scottish Whisky, is nearby and well worth a visit. Cupar is extremely well-connected by train and thus attracts residents looking to commute to Edinburgh in approximately 1 hour.
Best villages in Fife
Fife is well renowned for its unspoilt historical villages, some of which stand out and should be at the top of any home buyer’s list.
The ancient village of Falkland is brimming with charm and surrounded by exceptionally beautiful, hilly countryside.
The impressive early Renaissance architecture of Falkland Palace and gardens is steeped in history and makes for a wonderful summer day out.
Coastal and East Neuk villages
The charming coastal village of Aberdour is another superb choice for those looking for village living with the joys of having the ocean at the doorstep. It has been voted one of the best places to live in the UK by the Sunday Times, and the blend of coastal beaches, water activities, delightful restaurants, and spectacular rural scenery makes it a firm favourite with our clients.
Other villages within the East Neuk coastal region of Fife are also highly regarded for their charm and character. Crail, Pittenweem, St Monan’s and Elie are firm favourites alongside Anstruther, Boarhills and Kingsbarns. Further inland, Auchtermuchty and the ancient town of Kilrenny are certainly worth considering.
Fife Property Finders
If you are considering purchasing a property in Fife and are interested in learning how we might be able to assist with your search, please contact us for a no-obligation discussion regarding our services and your property requirements. Tell Garrington about your property search in Fife.
Get in touch