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Track guide · road course
Knockhill Racing Circuit
Knockhill Racing Circuit at a glanceChecked 2026-09-10
- Length
- 2.0389 km1.2669 mi
- Turns
- 9
- Opened
- 1974
- Location
- Dunfermline, Fife
- Type
- road course
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Elevation change
- 121 ft
- Owner
- Derek Butcher / Knockhill Racing Circuit Ltd (since 1984)
- Address
- Knockhill, by Dunfermline
- Phone
- +44 1383 723337
- Website
- knockhill.com
Track map and layout
Knockhill is Scotland's only FIA-graded circuit, built by connecting old colliery service roads to a disused mineral railway line in the hills above Dunfermline, and its short 2.0389 km, 9-turn lap packs around 37 metres of elevation change into a compact space. The International Circuit drops away from the start-finish straight through Duffus Dip before climbing hard through McIntyres, tightening at the Chicane and Clark's, and rising again to the circuit's high point before dropping down through Hislop's (formerly Railway corner, renamed after Scottish motorcycle champion Steve Hislop) and the final corners back onto the straight. Uniquely among British circuits, Knockhill has been licensed to run in both directions since 2012, and it also has a shorter National Circuit (1.609 km, 10 turns) and a small Tri-Oval (0.482 km, 3 turns) used for karting, rallycross and other club disciplines.
Named corners and sections
Duffus Dip.
A dipping, downhill right-hander early in the lap that tests car control under compression.
McIntyres.
A fast, climbing corner named after Scottish motorcycling family the McIntyres, several of whom raced at Knockhill.
The Chicane.
A tight left-right sequence that slows the lap's fastest section for safety.
Clark's.
A corner named in tribute to Scottish Formula 1 world champion Jim Clark.
Hislop's.
Formerly known as Railway corner, renamed after Scottish motorcycle racer and multiple TT winner Steve Hislop.
Taylor's Hairpin.
A slow hairpin used on the National Circuit configuration.
Configurations
International Circuit (clockwise)
2.04 km9 turns; hosts BTCC and BSB
International Circuit (anti-clockwise)
2.04 km9 turns; licensed for reverse-direction running since 2012, used for some track days and club events
National Circuit
1.61 km10 turns; shorter club-racing layout
Tri-Oval Circuit
0.48 km3 turns; used for karting and rallycross
Events and race weekends
As Scotland's national motorsport centre, Knockhill hosts the sole Scottish round of both the British Touring Car Championship and British Superbike Championship each year, drawing the two biggest crowds of its calendar. The circuit's compact, technical layout, combined with rally stages, a karting track, skid pan and off-road courses on the same site, also makes it a year-round hub for driving experiences, rallycross and club motorsport beyond its two headline national series.
Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship
BTCCthe championship's only Scottish round
Annual eventWhen—British Superbike Championship
BSBthe championship's only Scottish round
Annual eventWhen—
Getting there and parking
Knockhill sits in the hills above Dunfermline in Fife, reached from Edinburgh via the M90 north to Junction 2 and then the A92. There is no direct public transport to the circuit; the nearest useful stations are Dunfermline Town, Dunfermline Queen Margaret and Inverkeithing, from which a pre-booked taxi is the only practical way to finish the journey. Edinburgh Airport, across the Forth, is the nearest major airport.
- EDIEdinburgh Airport (EDI)about 35 mindrive
Parking
On-site parking is available for event visitors, usually included with tickets; arrive early for BTCC and BSB weekends as the A92 approach can be slow.
TipThere is no public transport route directly to Knockhill, so visitors without a car should book a taxi in advance from Dunfermline Town, Queen Margaret or Inverkeithing stations rather than relying on finding one on the day.
Hotels and camping near Knockhill Racing Circuit
Knockhill has its own campsite just steps from the circuit, making it the easiest option for BTCC and BSB weekends given the lack of public transport to the venue. For a hotel, Dunfermline is the best base, only 10-15 minutes' drive away with a wide range of chains including Premier Inn, Travelodge and Best Western, while Edinburgh offers a much larger choice for those willing to cross the Forth; rooms in Dunfermline are worth booking early for the Scottish rounds of BTCC and BSB.
Where to look
Dunfermline, 10-15 minutes' drive away, is the recommended base with a wide choice of chain hotels; Edinburgh, across the Forth, offers a much larger range for visitors happy to drive further.
Camping
Knockhill's on-site campsite is a short walk from the circuit, with toilets, showers, water taps and chemical waste disposal provided.
RV
Motorhomes are accommodated on the on-site campsite; further caravan-friendly sites exist nearby at Lochore Country Park and a certified location at Powmill, about 5 miles away.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Knockhill runs its own car and bike track days in-house, offering both open-pitlane and sessioned formats, alongside a trackday membership scheme that bundles credit for multiple visits. Third-party organisers including Javelin Trackdays and Opentrack Events also hold regular sessions at the circuit, which is prized for its fast, flowing, technical layout and dramatic elevation changes.
Who runs days here
Typical cost: Knockhill 2026 trackday car membership from £210 credit (£160 trackdays credit) valid 13 months; single-day pricing varies by provider
New to track days? Our beginner guides, costs and gear →
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Sprint Championship (International Circuit) | 0:41.880 | Heather Calder | Gould GR55 | 2018 |
| British Superbike (International Circuit) | 0:47.126 | Rory Skinner | Kawasaki ZX-10RR | 2022 |
| BTCC/NGTC (International Circuit) | 0:50.876 | Ashley Sutton | Infiniti Q50 | 2020 |
Drive Knockhill Racing Circuit in a sim
These racing games and simulators include Knockhill Racing Circuit as official content. Mods and community tracks are not listed.
iRacing
paid trackLayouts—
Building a sim rig? Four example setups from $279 → · Every real track in sim racing games
Checked against each publisher’s track list in October 2026 (read 19 Oct 2026).
Spectator guide
Knockhill's compact, undulating layout means most of the circuit is visible from just a few vantage points, with the banking overlooking Duffus Dip and the Chicane giving views of several corners and around 200 feet of elevation change in one sweep. The short lap and close-quarters layout make it a popular circuit for watching wheel-to-wheel BTCC racing in particular.
Seating
Viewing areas take their names from nearby corners, including Duffus Dip, McIntyres and the Chicane.
Best places to watch
The high ground overlooking Duffus Dip and the climb to McIntyres gives a sweeping view of the circuit's biggest elevation changes and several corners at once.
Weather
- : Fife's weather is cooler and more changeable than southern England; race weekends can see rain in any month, so visitors should pack for showers
History of Knockhill Racing Circuit
Built on an old colliery railway
Knockhill was created in the early 1970s by connecting existing service roads to the route of a disused mineral railway that had served the Lethans Colliery until its closure in 1951. The circuit opened in September 1974 and held its first race the following May, quickly becoming established as Scotland's national motorsport centre and, to this day, the country's only FIA-graded circuit.
Scotland's home of touring cars and bikes
Derek Butcher took ownership of Knockhill in 1984 and has run the circuit ever since, developing it into the sole Scottish venue for both the British Touring Car Championship, a fixture from 1992 to 2002 and again from 2004, and the British Superbike Championship, which has raced there in most seasons since 1996. The circuit has also produced and celebrated its own motorsport talent, naming corners after Scottish champions including Formula 1 world champion Jim Clark and motorcycle racer Steve Hislop, whose name replaced the old Railway corner.
A modern multi-discipline venue
Knockhill became licensed to run in both directions in 2012, a rare capability among British circuits that adds variety for club racers and track-day drivers. Beyond circuit racing, the site has grown into a broader motorsport hub with rally stages, a karting track, a skid pan and off-road courses, and it runs its own driving experiences alongside third-party track day organisers. The venue's compact size, rugged Fife setting and technical, undulating layout have made it a popular filming location too, appearing in Top Gear, The Grand Tour and several racing video games.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Knockhill Racing Circuit?
The International Circuit is 2.0389 km (1.2669 miles) with 9 turns; the shorter National Circuit is 1.609 km (1.0 mile, 10 turns).
Is Knockhill the only Scottish round of BTCC and BSB?
Yes. Knockhill hosts the sole Scottish round of both the British Touring Car Championship and the British Superbike Championship each season.
What is the lap record at Knockhill?
The current BTCC/NGTC lap record on the International Circuit is 0:50.876, set by Ashley Sutton in an Infiniti Q50 in 2020; the British Superbike record is 0:47.126, set by Rory Skinner in 2022.
Can you camp at Knockhill for race weekends?
Yes. Knockhill has its own on-site campsite a short walk from the track, with toilets, showers and water taps provided.
How do you get to Knockhill without a car?
There is no direct public transport to Knockhill; visitors should take a train to Dunfermline Town, Dunfermline Queen Margaret or Inverkeithing and pre-book a taxi for the final leg.
Can the public drive or ride Knockhill?
Yes. Knockhill runs its own car and bike track days, including a trackday membership scheme, and third-party organisers such as Javelin Trackdays and Opentrack Events also hold sessions there.
Which racing games and sims have Knockhill Racing Circuit?
Knockhill Racing Circuit is officially available in iRacing. Some of these include it in the base game and others sell it as paid content; the table above shows which.
Other tracks nearby
Facts checked against 7 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-10.