Glenrothes is a planned post‑war new town in central Fife, Scotland, designated in 1948 and laid out with broad avenues, neighbourhoods grouped around greenbelt and woodland, and one of the most notable collections of public sculpture in the UK. Its town centre and housing were designed to serve a growing industrial and mining population, but the generous parks, tree-lined streets and prominent public art give it a distinctive, deliberately modern character compared with older Scottish towns.
Over the decades the local economy shifted from heavy industry and coal connections to light manufacturing, electronics, retail and service sectors, while many residents now commute to nearby centres such as Edinburgh. Cultural life is centred on venues like Rothes Halls, community facilities and active local groups, and the town’s mix of post‑war planning, public art and green spaces continues to shape a strong local identity.
Postcode districts covering Glenrothes
Most populated places nearby
- Edinburgh 18.3 miles
- Dundee 21.3 miles
- Dunfermline 13.4 miles
- Kirkcaldy and Dysart 5.7 miles
- Perth 17.4 miles
- Musselburgh 18.5 miles
- Alloa 24.2 miles
- Grangemouth 24 miles
- Bonnyrigg 22.4 miles
- Penicuik 24.8 miles
- Broxburn 21.4 miles
- Bo'ness 20.9 miles
Neighbouring places
- Glenrothes North, Leslie and Markinch Ward 1.3 miles
- Leslie Place 1.5 miles
- Markinch Place 1.7 miles
- Glenrothes Central and Thornton Ward 1.7 miles
- Coaltown of Balgonie Place 2 miles
- Glenrothes West and Kinglassie Ward 2.2 miles
- Thornton Place 2.5 miles
- Kinglassie Place 2.7 miles
- Freuchie Place 3.7 miles
- Falkland Place 4 miles
- Kirkcaldy North Ward 4.4 miles
- Coaltown of Wemyss Place 4.6 miles
Example postcodes in Glenrothes
KY6 1BQ, KY6 1DU, KY7 4HR, KY6 1EW, KY6 2BQ, KY6 2RD, KY7 5NF, KY7 4BW, KY7 5HS … See all
Transport links
- Edinburgh Airport 18.5 miles
- Glasgow International Airport 53.3 miles
- Markinch Railway Station 1.9 miles
- Glenrothes With Thornton Railway Station 2.7 miles
Hotels in Glenrothes Ad
- Balbirnie House 4
- Holiday Inn Express Glenrothes 3
- The Gilvenbank Hotel 3
- Best Western Balgeddie House Hotel 3
Schools in Glenrothes
- Auchmuty High School Secondary
- Carleton Primary School Primary
- Caskieberran Primary School Primary
- Collydean Primary School Primary
- Glenrothes High School Secondary
- Glenwood High School Secondary
- John Fergus School Special
- Newcastle Primary & Community School Primary
- Pitcoudie Primary School Primary
- Pitteuchar East Primary School Primary
- Pitteuchar West Primary School Primary
- Pupil Support Service - Central Area Special
- Rimbleton Primary School Primary
- South Parks Primary School Primary
- Southwood Primary School Primary
- St Paul's R C Primary School Primary
- Warout Primary & Community School Primary
Local points of interest
- Lomond Hills Hill 3.7 miles
- Kirkcaldy Harbour Harbour 5.6 miles
- Durie House Estate 6.3 miles
- Raith House Estate 6.6 miles
- Stark's Park Stadium 6.6 miles
- Bayview Stadium Stadium 7 miles
- Rankeilour Estate 7.1 miles
- Loch Leven Nature reserve 7.2 miles
- Balmuto Castle Historic site 7.5 miles
- Central Park Stadium 8.8 miles
- Over Rankeilour Estate 9.2 miles
- Burntisland Beach Beach 9.4 miles