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Kinross-shire is one of Scotland’s smallest counties and borders Perthshire to the north, Fife to the east and south, and Clackmannanshire to the west.
The county nestles around Loch Leven, a large inland loch, with two islands and a nature reserve. One of the islands contains a castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567.
The county is best known for its selection of outdoor pursuits set within the natural beauty of the area with activities ranging from rambling and cycle tracks through to premium golfing and gliding. Well connected with the rest of the UK, Kinross-shire is rich in history and an increasingly popular destination for visitors and new residents.
Things to do in Kinross-shire
There is no shortage of rambling, bridle paths and cycle tracks in the area including the Loch Leven Heritage Trail which is a unique 13 mile, traffic-free trail around the north and east shores of Loch Leven.
Kinross-shire is ringed with hills: the Lomonds to the east, the Ochils to the west and Benarty Hill to the south, ensuring plenty of opportunity for hill walking.
For the golf enthusiast, Kinross-shire is home to a number of challenging courses, including Kinnesswood, Kinross and Milnathort.
Kinross Curling Rink is a 4-sheet ice rink dedicated solely to the sport of curling. It is home to more than 30 clubs, including Scotland's oldest, Kinross - founded in 1668. There are introductory courses for beginners along with coaching sessions for the experienced. If you simply wish to spectate, there is a family-friendly lounge/bar, where you get a good view of the rink.
Portmoak is home to the Scottish Gliding Centre, the largest gliding club in Scotland, based on the shores of Loch Leven near Kinross, and provides year-round flying to members and visitors.
Why we love Kinross-shire
Set on the southern shore of Loch Leven, the RSPB nature reserve offers a great day out for families, nature lovers and wildlife watchers alike.
Kinross is a favoured destination of many feathered visitors including thousands of pink-footed geese who winter here every year. The geese are so much part of the area that there is now a sculpture on the traffic island at Junction 6 of the M90 to welcome visitors.
Loch Leven’s Larder is an award-winning, family run farm, restaurant, deli and retail shop that focuses on the freshest local and seasonal produce. Situated 3 miles from Kinross it is set against a stunning backdrop of the loch and surrounding countryside.
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Key villages & towns in Kinross-shire
Kinross
Kinross is the largest town in the area and is situated at junction 6 on the M90 providing easy access to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Perth. The town sits beside Loch Leven, the largest loch of the Scottish Lowlands.
Milnathort
Milnathort is a small town neighbouring nearby Kinross. It is situated amongst picturesque countryside at the foot of the Ochill hills, and near the northern shore Loch Leven.
Crook of Devon
The village of Crook of Devon is situated on the bank of the River Devon at its sharp westwards bend, hence the name. The village is known for the witchcraft trials held in the 1660’s where witches were tortured, strangled and burnt at the stake in the Lamblairs field.
Scotlandwell
Scotlandwell lies to the east of Loch Leven on the slopes of Bishop Hill. Locally known as ‘the bishop’ it stands 1,500 ft (460 m) high and hosts an annual Scottish hill racing event.
Schools in the area
Kinross-shire has a number of primary schools in the area including Cleish, Fossoway, Milnathort, Portmoak and Kinross.
Kinross High School moved to its new building at Loch Leven Community Campus in 2009. It has a school population of over 950 and is well regarded within the local area.
Transport links
By train
Travelling by train is easy. There is a station at Dunfermline (13.5 miles), which has services into Edinburgh via the Fife Circle. There is a station at Inverkeithing (14.5 miles) which is on the east coast mainline and regular services operate north and south. Scotrail operates a sleeper service to and from Perth (17.5 miles) to London Euston [departs at 11.30pm – arrives at 8am].
There is a Park & Ride site in Kinross, which offers prioritized commuter services into Edinburgh, local services around the area into Fife, and further afield to Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
By train
The M90 provides fast access north to Perth and south to Edinburgh. Glasgow is to the southwest and can be accessed via the Kincardine Bridge and Stirling is to the northwest via the A91.
For the outdoor enthusiast, Kinross-shire has a wide range of sporting activities on offer.