Introduction
For other uses, see Kinross (disambiguation).
Human settlement in ScotlandKinrossScottish Gaelic: Ceann RoisHigh Street, KinrossKinrossLocation within Perth and KinrossArea2.00 km2 (0.77 sq mi) Population5,610 (2020)• Density2,805/km2 (7,260/sq mi)OS grid referenceNO1102• Edinburgh20 mi (32 km)• London351 mi (565 km)Council areaPerth and KinrossLieutenancy areaPerth and KinrossCountryScotlandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townKINROSSPostcode districtKY13Dialling code01577PoliceScotlandFireScottishAmbulanceScottish
UK ParliamentPerth and Kinross-shireScottish ParliamentPerthshire South and Kinross-shire
List of places
UK
Scotland
56°12′18″N 3°25′23″W / 56.205°N 3.423°W / 56.205; -3.423
Kinross (/kɪnˈrɒs/, Scottish Gaelic: Ceann Rois) is a burgh in Perth and Kinross, Scotland, around 13 miles (21 kilometres) south of Perth and around 20 miles (32 kilometres) northwest of Edinburgh. It is the traditional county town of the historic county of Kinross-shire.
History
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Kinross Town Hall
Kinross's origins are connected with the nearby Loch Leven and its islands whose history goes back to the 5th century AD. Kinross developed as a staging post on the Great North Road from North Queensferry to Perth. In time, local industry developed and by the early 18th century the town had grown to a population of around 600 people. By the mid-19th century, a thriving wool weaving industry had emerged. Kinross Town Hall was completed in 1841.
Location and transport
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The site of the original Pre-Reformation parish church and churchyard is down a small wynd overlooking Loch Leven, a little away from the town. The church was dedicated to St. Serf and was under control of Dunfermline Abbey. Noteworthy ministers included John Colden from 1593 to 1640 and his son George Colden who served until 1665. The notorious Henry Christie was minister of Kinross 1679–89.
Rev Robert McGill served from 1698 until 1726, and recorded supernatural events in the manse in 1718. Rev Robert Stark was initially unpopular but served from 1732 to 1783.
A map of Kinross from 1945
Kinross was originally linked by railway to Perthshire, Fife and Clackmannanshire until the rail links gradually disappeared. At one time three independent railway companies had their termini at the town. The Fife and Kinross Railway came from the east, the Kinross-shire Railway came from the south and the Devon Valley Railway came from the west. Kinross Junction railway station stood on the main line between Perth and Edinburgh, but this was closed in 1970 to make way for construction of the M90 motorway. Since then, many people working within a commuting radius of Kinross have settled in the town owing to its central location and local amenities. Locals and Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have also asked the Scottish Government to publish a Feasibility Study into re-establishing the Perth–Edinburgh Direct Rail Link. As of 2021[update], no such document has been published.
Kinross is served by local and long-distance bus services including Megabus services M90, M91 and M92 which call at the Sainsbury's Park & Ride site off Junction 6 of the M90 motorway.
