Glenrothes

Coordinates: 56°11′53″N 3°10′41″W / 56.198°N 3.178°W / 56.198; -3.178

Glenrothes ( listen ; /ɡlɛnˈrɒθᵻs/, glen-ROTH-iss; Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Ràthais) is a town situated in the heart of Fife, in east-central Scotland. It is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) from both Edinburgh, which lies to the south and Dundee to the north. The town had a population of 39,277 in 2011 as recorded by the census, making it the third largest settlement in Fife and the 18th most populous settlement in Scotland. The name Glenrothes comes from its historical link with the Earl of Rothes who owned much of the land upon which the new town has been built; "Glen" (Scottish for valley) was added to the name to avoid confusion with Rothes in Moray and in recognition that the town lies in a river valley. The motto of Glenrothes is "Ex terra vis", meaning "Out of the earth, strength", which dates back to the founding of the town.

Planned in the late 1940s as one of Scotland's first post-second world war new towns its original purpose was to house miners who were to work at a newly established coal mine, the Rothes Colliery. Following the failure of the mine the town developed as an important industrial centre in Scotland's Silicon Glen between 1961 and 2000 with several major electronics and hi-tech companies setting up facilities in the town. The Glenrothes Development Corporation (GDC), a non-departmental public body, was established to develop, manage and promote the new town. The GDC supported by the local authority oversaw the governance of Glenrothes until the wind-up of the GDC in 1995, after which all responsibility was transferred to Fife Council.

Glenrothes (disambiguation)

The name Glenrothes refers to:

Glenrothes (UK Parliament constituency)

Coordinates: 56°11′49″N 3°10′23″W / 56.197°N 3.173°W / 56.197; -3.173

Glenrothes is a British Parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons. It was created for the 2005 general election.

The seat is currently held by Peter Grant, of the Scottish National Party (SNP). He has held the seat since the 2015 general election after gaining the seat from the Labour Party who had held the seat since its creation.

Boundaries

The current boundaries centre on Glenrothes itself, moving south and west to include Cardenden, and a small section of Kirkcaldy. The northern and western areas include Leslie, and Markinch. In the east, the seat contains Kennoway and Methil.

History

Glenrothes was created for the 2005 general election, mostly replacing Central Fife, but incorporating small parts of Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline East.

Creation in 2005-2008

The first holder of the newly created seat was John MacDougall, who died 13 August 2008, triggering a by-election.