Home Report Kinross

Kinross is a town of some 5,120 residents in the council area of Perth and Kinross, about 13 miles south of Perth and about 20 miles northwest of Edinburgh. The town itself sits right beside Loch Leven, which is the largest loch in the Scottish Lowlands. It is well connected by road, lying just off the M90 which allows for onward travel further northwards into Perth and Kinross, the Highlands, or south towards Edinburgh and deeper into the central belt.

Kinross itself today is a lovely town with narrow streets and many old buildings. The town as we know it mainly developed as a stopping point on the road to Perth and Edinburgh. However, the original settlement of the town likely had something to do with a former Church constructed overlooking Loch Leven as well as Lochleven Castle, constructed on Castle Island in Lochleven, formerly home to the Douglas Lairds who lived there with their families. This castle was made particularly famous as it was the holding place of Mary Queen of Scots from 17th June 1567 until her escape on 2nd May 1568.

In more recent times, like many towns across Scotland, Kinross was an industrial and commercial town. As we know these industries declined through the 20th century and today, Kinross is primarily a dormitory town for residents working in the town and wider area, as well as Perth, Dunfermline, and Edinburgh. As such transport links by road are very good, with the M90 offering a major route north and south, in addition to plenty of other A roads like the A91, A911 and A977 allowing for relatively fast and easy travel to nearby towns and the wider area. The town has no dedicated railway station of its own, with the nearest stations being in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Dunfermline. It does however have plenty of local bus services and others for travel to larger towns of Perth, Dunfermline and Edinburgh.

In terms of things to do Kinross has an array of amenities and things to do. The town has the usual chains as well as many local independents in and around the high street. Kinross boasts two 18-hole courses – The Bruce and The Montgomery which are well regarded. Loch Leven, mentioned earlier, is a nature reserve and attracts some 20,000 geese every autumn which is quite the local spectacle. Then there’s the Loch Leven Heritage Trail on the north and eastern shores of Loch Leven. This offers approximately 13 miles of walking and cycling paths around the shoreline of Loch Leven.

As for local schooling, the local primary school for the town is Kinross Primary. Kinross High School is the state secondary school serving the town and wider area, encompassing Milnathort, Portmoak, Fossoway, Cleish, Blairingone and Arngask Primary Schools.