Fun Things To Do In Fife Scotland On A Date

If you blink you might miss it, The Kingdom of Fife, barely fifty miles long at its widest point. But Fife was mighty, the ancestral home of Scottish monarchs, whose ghosts prowled derelict ruins. Dunfermline Abbey and St Andrew’s castle, a distant reminder of royalty long gone. For couples Fife was magical, a chance to go back in time, history lovers united in their quest for fun things to do in Fife, Scotland. A was one of those people, brought up on an avid diet of escapism, folklore and historical events. She craved a historical adventure, in her time machine she went. After all, historic travel was in A’s blood, a distant reminder of  romantic things to do in Guernsey, fresh on her mind.

Like the rugged charm of Castle Cornet, Fife was a historic wonderland. Counting the Fife rulers on her hand, A walked in the footsteps of Kings and Queens, where heather hills and cornfields stretched into the North Sea. The coalminers, fishermen and weavers of Fife chronicled its ancient past, as Ana looked on. It was a far cry from the romantic date ideas in Jersey that she had with her boo, but A was thankful for the change in pace. Soon she would bring D to the Kingdom of Fife, replacing teal blue coastlines with decrept palaces, abbeys, and cathedrals too.

A always loved going back in time, oddly charmed by places that were rough around the edges. Fife’s charm was cemented in its jagged architecture, the 13th century ruins of St Andrews Castle, a fine example. Despite its fall into detoriation, St Andrews Castle stood proud on a rocky promontory, a small beach below the castle walls. A imagined taking D here, tracing the fallen castle gingerly, as they walked down to Castle Sands. Layered with pebbles and rocks, a smooth expanse of sand peeked out underneath, the tulmotous North Sea roaring poetically.

It was a stark contrast to Culross Palace & Gardens, an ochre palace still intact in a picturesque village. They would trawl along its cobbled streets, used as the location for the hit US show ‘Outlander’, A was thrilled to know. The dichtomy between its 17th century past, and modern day was almost story-like, once full of the hustle and bustle of a thriving 17th century port on the River Forth. A closed her eyes and let the history wash over her, a romantic backdrop for couples who wanted a UK Staycation for a weekend getaway.

For Fife had it all, soaked in history, culture and political intrigue. But it wasn’t just history that Fife was known for, a small mecca where nature and wildlife thrived. A had fond memories of visiting the Isle of May National Nature Reserve in particular, anchored on the Firth of Forth. A magical mix of seabirds, seals and smuggling, A couldn’t help but think that D, her animal loving partner would love it here. She imagined D being amused by the nesting seabirds that would squawk noisly, affectionally nicknamed the ‘Mildreds’ for their noisy nature. As Ana told D the story of her wildlife adventures in Scotland, D was begging to try Fife Dating, claiming it was his birthright as a ginger man.

A laughed derisively, a snort escaping her nostrils, picturing her handsome Viking of a boyfriend stomping around Fife. But she couldn’t deny that he was a gentle soul, who would cradle the wildlife that came seeking food, puffins with brightly coloured bills chatting away enthusiastically. In Autumn the largest Atlantic grey seal colony in Eastern Britain would breed on ‘The May’, tonal honks deafening the vistors.

Devilla Forest was another treasure trove for fun things to do in Fife, bushy red squirrels scurrying through The Scots Pine Trees. As A continued to explore the wider forest, the squirrels followed in the shadows, keeping an eye on the dragonflies who would only live six months. Agile Otters lived here too, seldom seen, but A still heard their call, as they whistled playfully, swathed in childlike wonder. With drowsy eyes half shut, A yawned, smiling at the harmonious accord between nature and animals, as they existed in perfect symphony.

The Kingdom of Fife might have been small but A was never bored, effortlessly weaving her days with cultural excursions that were peppered with historical intrigue. A couldn’t quite believe that D had never been here, a Scottish gem, feral winds lashing out at the grey sky, clouds bleeding out into pale sunset. Still, the time would come for A and D to return to Fife as a couple, hand in hand, the land reading poetry as the sky thundered above. The voices of nature would join in, sleek black crows perching a-top tumbledown castles, tawny owls hooting with piercing yellow eyes. Was it any wonder that tourists would use a Fife Dating Site to find love in this stormy paradise, where romance prevailed?

Explore The 13th Century Ruins Of St Andrews Castle 

If there was anywhere that brooding poets would come to pen their tales of love lost and found, it would be St Andrews Castle. Pregnant in ruins, Fife told its cautionary tale, of a castle that fell into disuse and repair, a former reminder of a royal residence once loved by Kings. And so its origin story began, built by Roger de Beaumont in 1200, where Wars of Scottish Independence roared out frightfully. Over and over again the castle was caught as a sacrifice in battle, destroyed by the Scots between 1336 and 1337 to stop the English using it as a stronghold.

By 1656, the castle had fallen into woeful disrepair, to the point that the burgh council ordered the use of its materials to replace its beloved pier. What remained was still majestic, even in its ramshackle state, a homage to wars wreaking havoc, the principal remains still worthy of being explored. Today, couples would marvel at its bloodthirsty history, a hard-stomached lot, who revelled in the tales of prisoners who were locked up in the castle’s dank and airless bottle dungeon. Murder, bloodshed and war didn’t seem like the usual setting for a romantic day out, but in Fife it was normal, a romanticized past, where new history was forged. What survived in modern times was still spectacular.

There was a portion of the south wall enclosing a square tower, partial remains of the bottle dungeon, a kitchen tower, underground mine and counter-mine, all that was left. It seemed hard to imagine that this was once a bustling royal residence, the birthplace of  James III, an unpopular monarch who was killed in battle. Even Bishops like Bishop James Kennedy stayed here, trusted advisor to James II of Scotland. But what St Andrews Castle was really known for was not its royal residents but its position during the Scottish Reformation. The centre of religious persecution and controversy, Scottish Protestants like George Wishart were burnt at the stake, seen as dangeous turncoats.

As A read the history book of St Andrews, her eyes widened, a tale between Protestants and Catholics where neither party won. A Cardinal murdered in his own room, Protestants taking refuge in the castle, only to be rendered uninvincible, some imprisoned in France, others condemmed to the galleys. The Scottish Reformation was a bloody movement, and A thanked her lucky stars that she was born into a different time, where the UK was no longer on the cusp of a callous war.

Still, it was its ruthless past, that made St Andrews Castle an interesting landmark, where fun things to do in Fife, weren’t frilly around the edges. Instead the castle had battle-hardened scars etched into its ruinous framework. Despite its less than favourable beginnings, the castle was swathed in brilliant blue sky, a change from the stormy rain clouds that had threatened to burst earlier. The grey sky parted, and A’s heart was gladdened, wistfully watching the other couples exploring the ruins, as they gently kissed. She knew it was a sign.

Climb Aboard The Model Train Engine At Pittencrieff Park

After the bloodthirsty nature of St Andrews Castle, the soothing vistas of Pittencrief Park in Dunfermline stood out to her. Otherwise known as ‘The Glen’, the 76 acre park had huge historical and cultural significance in West Fife and beyond, dazzling 750,000 visitors each year. A laughed happily, irridescent peacocks with a thousand printed eyes etched out on its feathers nearby. She cooed, calling it over, its long cobalt neck stretching out to follow her voice, gleaming in the blue half sun. She would name him Azul Pavão, Portuguese for ‘blue peacock’, a nod to her roots.

It wasn’t just peacocks that strutted around the park; couples were bemused by the squirrels begging to be fed, gently placing a bed of monkey nuts before their feet. Their small beady dark eyes gazed into their souls, a slight smile on the edge of its lips, slotting the nuts between its cheeks before scampering away. Dogs were here too, dopey golden labradors, galloping around the park with joyful elation, chasing the unimpressed birds, who flapped their wings. A laughed, people watching, a wedding taking place on The Glen Pavilion.

An Art Deco building, the young couple stood outside, locked in a passionate clinch. They leaned into each other, a bridal bouquet strewn across the floors, guests bawling their eyes out in the face of their love. A looked away, giving them their private, intimate moment, her own eyes stinging, their love clear for all too see. Was it any wonder that Pittencrieff Park was a popular wedding destination, beautiful vibrant flowers and bold birds, coexisting in the background of life’s most magical moments?

From gardens, to weddings, and immersion in nature, Fife’s supreme park was like no other. But lo and behold, there was a model train engine to be explored, a Fife Coal Company Steam Locomotive on Display! In army green, with splashes of pillarbox red, the old locomotive was a real treat for couples, and families alike, A playing make-believe without caring how she looked, spellbound by its unique charm. A saddletank railway engine, she imagined that she had travelled back in time, in 1934 where the locomotive was built. Created by Andrew Barclay, the locomotive stopped being used in 1988 when Bilston Glen Colliery closed. A sighed, it was hopelessly romantic.

As A wandered through the park, she came across Laird’s Garden, laid out colourfully in front of the glasshouse. Beautifully kept, the garden bloomed with flowers throughout spring and summer, once used by Pittencrief House as a kitchen garden and orchard. With views of Dunfermline Abbey and Palace ruins, she imagined being here on a quiet summer’s day, in the stillness of morning, sat on a park bench cuddled up to her love. A was surprised to see Rock and Japanese Gardens too, with Metasequoias, Eucryphia and Japanese Red Cedar in its wake.

Experience Nature In Cambo Gardens

Cambo Gardens was another green oasis, that was a must see for fun things to in Fife, Scotland. Ever so charming, it lay inconspicously on the east coast of Fife, dating back to the 18th century. The present day estate, which has been in the Erskine family for over 300 years, was breathtaking, a Georgian walled garden teeming with roses, lilacs and allium, pops of blues and purple, in a celebrative dance. Depite the explosion of colour, the flowers effect was calming, couples walking in contemplative silence, smiling at each other knowingly.

A dog-friendly garden, A spotted many a well behaved pug on a walk with their owners, their pink tongue lolling exciteably. With one small yap, the pug spotted Ana’s friendly face, beaming from afar, waddling over to get attention. With permission from its owner, she stroked the Pug, luxuriating in its silky far, as he licked her face with happiness. They spent a few minutes together, the owners amused, chronicling how ‘Berty’ was always looking for cuddles, a friendly little soul. Bidding her goodbye, she went back to exploring the beauty of nature.

In winter the gardens were transformed into a snowy paradise, snowdrops and aconites carpeting the woodlands all the way down to the sea. With over 350 varieties of snowdrops, Cambo was the proud guardian of the Plant Heritage national snowdrop collection. What A loved most about Cambo was how versatile it was, each season bringing a new bloom of flowers, to entrance its visitors. In June its historic rose collection would fill the walled garden with colour and fragrance, Lady Erskine leading tours detailing their significance at Cambo.

It was August that was the best month to come, Cambo’s double herbaceous borders reaching their flowering peak in rich reds, purples and blues. A couldn’t help but sigh blissfully, adoring the rich tapestry of flowers that had true love imprinted in its stems. She imagined D giving her a single rose, freshly cut, red tinged with faded pink. Her love for flowers seemed canny given her heritage, parents born in Madeira, home to Blue agapanthus, Protea and Strelitzia, which looked like colourful birds of prey.

She shook herself back into the present, she would visit the Woodlands next, 70 acres of woodland footpaths linked to the Fife coastal path passing across Cambo’s 2-mile sea border. A magical walk to Kingbarns Beach ensued, saying hello the fairies that frolicked in the woods, immortalized in fairy dust. They pointed out the directions to the beach with an impish smile, forgetting to tell A about the badgers that would dig burrows to find food underground. As she crossed the Badger trail, she found one, a monochromatic creature, asleep in a small burrow. A was pleased that it was a pleasant walk down to the award winning Kingbarns Beach, popular with rockpoolers and fossil hunters. 

Go Golfing At St Andrews Links 

A was never one who was particularly good at sports, but she had hilairious memories playing Crazy Golf with D at Swingers London, both terrible golfers. Still, A was never deterred by lack of skill, remembering a trip to St Andrews Links Course in Fife, the oldest golf course in the world. When it came to fun things to in Fife on a date, the iconic St Andrew’s Golf Course was incredibly unique. Grand, romantic and ever so sentimental, couples would come here for a competitive golf session, where you could write your own history.

With 7 incredible public courses, despite its grandeur and worldwide acclaim, the golf course sprawled out langorously across 300 hectares. Bathed in the blazing afternoon sun, sweat trickled down A’s forehead, as she pondered over what course to golf on. Being the adventurer that she was, there was no other choice but The Castle Course, almost 90 hectares. Opened in 2008, it was St Andrews newest course, perched on a rugged cliff-top with spectacular views. Even if she wasn’t here to golf, it would make a wonderful walk, on the edge of heaven, laced with scenic views. With more than a mile of waterfront overlooking the town, A was blessed with a beautifully sunny day.

Though a novice, and a bad one at that, A didn’t mind so much that golfing wasn’t her forte. After all, it was a bit of fun where she could immerse herself in the great outdoors, and spend time away from her computer. The fresh Scottish breeze rumpled her hair affectionately, as she drove a golf ball into the air. It was a clumsy aim, but still A persisted, always of the mantra that practice made perfect. In the end she wasn’t completely terrible, but she didn’t take herself too seriously, knowing that D would have the same light hearted approach as she did.

Though A didn’t try it, there were golf course lessons where you could learn the elements of link golf. Budding golfers looked on eagerly as their instructors gave them the ultimate Golf Academy package, tailored to their personal requirements. From full swing analysis, to chipping, pitching, putting and fairway woods, the three hour lesson had them whooping with joy. Collared shirts were tucked into golf slacks, khakis, browns, and white a neutral palette, contrasting against the vividity of St Andrews Links Old Course.

Feel The Adrenaline At Knockhill Racing Circuit 

Knockhill Racing Circuit was where dreams came to live and play, estatic racers driving red Ferrari 430’s and Aston Martin Vantages. Car enthusiasts were in their element here, switching between driving supercars, race cars and rally cars, struggling to pick just one experience. It was hard to believe that Scotland’s national motorsport centre was once a sheep’s farm, local farmer Tom Kinnaird envisioning a much more exciting direction. In 1974 Knockhill Racing Circuit was opened, and FIA approved, 6 miles north of Dunfermline.

Even non-car enthuasists were impressed, ideal for karting, trackdays and team building experiences, where adrenaline kicked in. A in particular was obsessed with adult karting in Fife, behind the wheel of a powerful Sodi GT5 Kart that buzzed with energy. As she raced around their 500 metre outdoor track, she couldn’t help but think what a sensational first date this would make, fun things to do in Fife, that wasn’t just dinner and drinks. Though only 30 minutes, the quirky and challenging outdoor track was incredible, a once in a lifetime opportunity. Kitted out in full race suits, helmets, gloves and neck braces, A was given NKA approved track safety briefing beforehand.

It wasn’t just driving karts, race cars and rally cars that made Knockhill Racing Circuit so exciting, with a plethora of racing festivals and events pre-COVID. In particular the First Timers Bike Trackday was highky rated, allowing you to experience the thrill of riding on a race track, at a gentler pace. There were no experienced trackday riders here, people who had taken part in 3 trackdays or less. A was told that the trackday started with a short classroom session and sighting laps, before the track waas open for two hours track time. A knew that she would have to bring D here in the future, someone who loved the thrill of adventure sports in the great outdoors.

With the experienced track team on hand in the pit land to help racers make the transition from road to track, it was ideal for couples who wanted to try track racing together. A knew it would appeal to the daters who held adventure in their hearts, searching for their perfect partner. Eyes locked across bikes, a shy smile ensued, the promise of drinks after, leading to something more. Love blossomed on Knockhill Racing Circuit, strengthening new relationships and old. A couldn’t help but wish upon a star, that she would come here again after COVID, free to travel at last.

Trace The Steps Of Outlander At Culross Palace & Gardens 

Culross Palace was last, but certainly not least on A’s list of fun things to do in Fife, a splendid vista. Despite its name Culross was not a palace but in fact an exceptional merchant’s house, dating from the late 16th century, with an impeccable historic garden. White harled houses with red-tiled roofs lined the steep, yet mesmerizing cobbled streets, fairies waiting in the ochre colored palace. With a beautiful reconstructed period garden, A stopped to contemplate time, rare Scots Dumpy hens clucking comically, speckled with white patches, and magnifient feathers. Nearby, the garden had fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables, that were oh so aromatic.

A took her time here, weaving past the couples interlocked in a warm embrace, into a small quaint orchard. Apples, mulberries and quince too, fig trees ripened, ever so sweet. It came as no surprise therefore when she found out that the hit US TV show Outlander had been filmed in Culross Palace’s romms, courtyard and garden. Appearing in seasons 1,2, and 4, it was first seen in season 1 when the palace gardens were used as the herb garden at ‘Castle Leoch’. Spellbound A spotted that they even used the palace’s ‘Withdrawing Room’, which had doubled as Geillis Duncan’s parlour.

As well as a TV location, it was a sentimental backdrop for couples who wanted to see what it would be like to live in the 17th and 18th century. Beautifully preserved, the original painted woodwork and seamless interiors felt authentic to the era, now in the loving hands of the National Trust for Scotland, their precious pride and joy. It was strange being the only part of the town that had not been modernized but A was thankful for her it, quenching her thirst for history, nature and culture in one fellow swoop. When she visited it was quiet mercifully, aware that ‘Outlander Tours’ would soon be coming in, relishing the tranquility of the 17th century house and gardens.

A jewel of a village, A couldn’t help but feel like she had wandered into a Mediterrenean holiday resort, reminding her of the magenta, ochre, cobalt blue and lilac houses that frequented Cinque Terre in Italy. She would like to live in a house like this with her boo, who was always teasing her for being so colourful in the most adorable way possible, smiling as she donned her flower crown. Dressed in hot red, she clashed beautifully with Culross Palace and Gardens, bemused at the thought of how the locals would have reacted in the 17th century, to see her travel back in time.

What Fun Things To Do In Fife Scotland Will You Be Doing?

*Disclaimer

Please note this is a collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by monetary compensation. I hope you enjoyed my ultimate guide to fun things to do in Fife Scotland on a date. Whether you are looking for unique date ideas for couples, romantic walks, adventure date nights or a slice of history, I have got you covered!