Kirkcaldy

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Kirkcaldy
Scottish Gaelic: Cathair Challdainn
Scots: Kirkcaudy or The Lang Toun
Kirkcaldy shown within Scotland
Population	48,108
OS grid reference	NT275915
Council area	Fife
Lieutenancy area	Fife
Constituent country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	KIRKCALDY
Postcode district	KY1, KY2
Dialling code	01592
Police	Fife
Fire	Fife
Ambulance	Scottish
European Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath
Scottish Parliament	Kirkcaldy Mid Scotland and Fife
List of places: UK • Scotland

Coordinates: 56°06′39″N 3°10′03″W / 56.11073, -3.16737

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Kirkcaldy (pronounced /kɪrˈkɔːdi/) is the largest settlement in Fife, Scotland by population. Recent population estimates show the population of Kirkcaldy and Dysart in 2006 to be 48,108. ^[1]

Kirkcaldy is known as The Lang Toun (Long Town) in Scots. This name derived from the original expansion of the town in a thin strip parallel to the sea front. The town has since developed further up and down the coast, encompassing formerly separate communities, but also extensively inland, so the term "The Lang Toun" is now only a reference to its historical shape.

The town lies on the north shore of the Firth of Forth. The former burghs of Linktown and Pathhead, and the villages of Sinclairtown and Gallatown are now incorporated into Kirkcaldy. The burgh of Dysart was merged into Kirkcaldy in 1930. [2]

Kirkcaldy is the largest coastal settlement between Edinburgh and Dundee, reflecting its historical importance. Its location in a relatively sheltered bay in the Firth of Forth enabled the growth of the port, which also supported a sizeable fishing fleet. Its hinterland includes good farmland and mineral wealth in coal

Kirkcaldy was famous throughout much of the 19th and 20th Centuries for linoleum manufacturing, notably Nairn's, linked with Dundee jute imports; linen produced from local flax; and for its annual week-long Links Market - Europe's longest street fair - that celebrated its 700th anniversary in 2004. The town still has one of the longest developed sea-fronts in Europe, overlooking the Firth of Forth.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Origin of Name 1.2 The birth of the lang toun 1.3 Growth and Development 1.4 Industrial age 2 Famous people 3 Areas of Kirkcaldy 4 Sport 5 Golf Courses 6 Education 6.1 Primary Schools 6.2 High Schools 6.2.1 Balwearie High School 6.2.2 Kirkcaldy High School 6.2.3 St Andrew's RC High School 6.2.4 Viewforth High School 6.3 Further Education 7 Health 7.1 Forth Park Hospital 7.2 Victoria Hospital 8 Shopping and Leisure 8.1 Kirkcaldy Town Centre 8.2 Waterfront Development 8.3 Further shopping facilities 8.4 Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery 8.5 Kirkcaldy Central Library 9 Employment 10 Transport 10.1 Road Network 10.2 Kirkcaldy Railway Station 10.3 Kirkcaldy Bus Station 10.4 Hovercraft service 10.5 Kirkcaldy Park and Ride 11 Religion 11.1 Churches 11.2 Church associations 12 Pictures 13 References 14 External links 15 Further interest 15.1 Town Rivalry, Kirkcaldy Vs Glenrothes 15.2 Economy & Employment

[edit] History

[edit] Origin of Name

Kirkcaldy’s name has been lost through the midst of time. ^[2] Since records have begun, many religious people believed, Kirkcaldy probably cites the name, after the Gaelic for “Kirk of the Culdees” or “Sons of God” (of the Keldei, frequently mentioned in the old charters). ^{[3] [4]} The original name for the town, being “Kirkaladunt” or Kirkaldin”, may though have Pictish roots, from “cael caledn din”, which if translated into English, means “fort on a hard hill”. ^[2] The name Kirkcaldy is now generally believed to derive from the Brythonic words caer, meaning fort, and caled, meaning hard, and the Gaelic word dun, also meaning fort,^[5][6][7] hence the modern Gaelic Cathair Challdainn.

[edit] The birth of the lang toun

Nevertheless, towards the end of the 11th century, Malcolm II, made a purchase for “the shire of Kirkaladunt”- the name it is believed to come from Caer Calledonii, which means the ‘Castle of the Caledonians’ ^[4] from the crowns to be gifted to the monks of Dunfermline abbey. The abbey gained control of Kirkcaldy, which the residents paid annual revenues to the abbey,right up to the mid-15th century, when the ownership of the burgh, went back to the rightful bailies and community, essentially the townsfolk. ^{[8][9][10][2]}

Two charters, for what was now known as “the schyre of Kircalethin” were devised in 1128 and 1130 by David II of Scotland. ^[10] However, the first mention of the modern town name was not made until 1304, when the abbot and covenant of Dunfermline was in a discussion with King Edward I, to advise him to bring a market, along with a fair - the basis of the modern Links Market - to the area. ^[10][8] Burgh status was granted by Robert I, sometime between 1315 and 1328. ^[11][10] Kirkcaldy, therefore now had the right to trade with the low countries, the Baltics and parts of England for the first time, alongside fellow east coast settlements such as St Andrews, Crail, Inverkeithing and Kinghorn, whilst playing a part to boost Scotland’s economy. ^[11] The late 14th century, saw David II request a regality charter for Kirkcaldy and nearby hinterland, from Dunfermline Abbey for trading purposes within the boundary. ^[11][4]

[edit] Growth and Development

Despite being relatively small, Kirkcaldy harbour was noted for having “a sheltered cove round the East Burn”, thus giving easy accessibility for boats. ^[9][12] By the early 16th century, the area started to gain prosperity with Baltic trade ^[4], later dealing with the import of grain in 1618 and continental beer in 1625. ^[4] A shipbuilding trade also existed on the site until this was phased out temporary in 1645. ^[13] The success led to the growth of the burgh, surrounding the harbour, Main Street and Tiel (West) burn, commented by Thomas Carlyle. ^[8]

Royal burgh status was dodged by the loss of the charter, noted in the conventions of royal burghs in 1582 ^[4] , although it is know the ceremony did take place in 1450. ^[14] However, for the record, Charles II granted Kirkcaldy as a royal burgh in 1644, leaving 9 acres of land to the town- the remains of which now form volunteers green. ^[4]

Although, difficult times ahead, threatened to beset the development of the town. Local support for the conventating war (1644-65), led to the death of 200 men. ^[2][15] A civic war, brought about when Oliver Cromwell’s troops came to the town to seek riches, ^[2] followed in 1650 - the impact of which nearly destroyed the town. The burgh was then embroiled in a debt crisis and by the early 18th century, invaded by the Highland Jacobites, under the order of McIntosh. ^[13][9]

Afterwards, Kirkcaldy steadily grew into an industrial area, providing a home for leather making; a brick and tile works; a spinning cotton mill and of course, the first power spinning mill and linen factories in Fife. ^[9][11] The shipbuilding industry was also resurrected, which by the end of the century, had built in total: 26 square riggers, one sloop and two ferries. ^[9] Construction of a turnpike road from the pettycur ferry to Cupar and beyond was submitted in 1790, while only being a piece to improve Fife’s isolated road system, also helped to strength Kirkcaldy’s position in Fife. ^[9]

[edit] Industrial age

As Kirkcaldy bowed into the 19th century, the arrival of the railway saw the town develop into an industrial powerhouse, ^[13] reviving the use of Kirkcaldy harbour, after a severe setback during the mid-17th century. ^[11] The harbour was already catering for the growing trade of imports of flax, timber and hemp and exports of coal, salt and linen cloth, when a decision was made to built a new wet dock and pier stemming from 1843 to 1846. ^[11][9] The subsequent demands of the linoleum and coal led to a further extension from 1906 and 1908 in the form of an inner dock. ^[8][9][12]

Kirkcaldy, like Dunfermline, became a centre for linen manufacturing, specialising in coarser material, for example sail cloth, ^[4][11] as well as iron founding. ^[11] Although when sail cloth started to dip, ^[4][16] people like Michael Nairn for instance, began to focus towards floorcloth – which he start to produce in his new purpose built Scottish floorboard factory at Pathhead sands, famously nicknamed “Nairn’s folly” ^[4][16] for what would become universally known as linoleum using cork fibre and oil paint. ^[8][12] Linoleum became accustomed by 1877, when the patent of Frederick Walton expired and Michael Nairn & Co Ltd soon started production in 1881, four years after the Scottish linoleum company. ^[16]

Other industries such as: coal, pottery, flour, light electrical engineering and even furniture manufacturing soon flourished. ^[4][16] Jute mills even appeared around 1832, though not as profitable as the ones in Dundee, alas influencing the style of a key site being the West Bridges Mill in Sinclairtown. ^[13]

Many of the industrial figures later became philanthropists, particularly Michael Beveridge and Michael Nairn’s two sons: Michael Barker and John, bequeathing land for public and commercial use, over the course of several decades, as a good deed to the citizens of Kirkcaldy. ^{[4] [13][16]}

Approaching the climax of the 19th century, saw the burghs of Pathhead, Linktown, Gallatown and Sinclairtown officially merge into the royal burgh of Kirkcaldy in 1876 ^[2][9][16] , stretching beyond the original 17th century imposed boundary. ^[9] The conjured population now stood at 20 000 ^[10] which by the 1891 census, grew to nearly 30 000, making this now the largest place in Fife. ^[11]

During the 20th century, the town saw many changes, with the production of both pottery and salt panning drawing to a close; ^[4][9] the development of the esplanade; ^[4][8][17] the first council houses ^[13] and most significant was the merging of the town’s fellow neighbour, Dysart in 1930, ^{[4][8][9][11][12][15]} which was later followed by two further expansions occurring in 1939 and 1950 to include Boreland and the latter being Chapel Village to the West and Begg Moss Plantation to the North. ^[9][14][18]

[edit] Famous people

In addition to the "Father of Modern Economics" Adam Smith (1723-90), the "Demarcator of Standard Time" Sandford Fleming (1827-1915), and one of Scotland's most famous architects, Robert Adam (1728-92), Kirkcaldy is the birthplace of many famous sons and daughters.

Reformation figures Henry Balnaves and George Gillespie both hailed from the town as did, in more recent times, Frederick Coutts, 8th General of the Salvation Army, and John Philip, a missionary to South Africa who was born in Kirkcaldy in 1775.

The man who become world famous with the town's linoleum trade, Michael Nairn (1804-58), was born in the town.

In politics, Kirkcaldy counts sixth Governor-General of Australia, Ronald Munro-Ferguson and David Steel, the former leader of the Liberal Party, among its sons. The current British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown (1951–) cites Kirkcaldy as his adopted home town having lived there since he was three years old.

In sport, twice World darts champion Jocky Wilson was born in the town and lives in the Lauder Road area. Former Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa player Andy Blair was also born in the town. Colin Cameron, a professional footballer and Scottish international was born in the Linktown area of Kirkcaldy, starting his career with Raith Rovers F.C.. Racing driver Peter Dumbreck was born and grew up in the Dysart area.

From music, Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman comes from Kirkcaldy.

Val McDermid, journalist and author (titles include: Wire in the Blood and Distant Echo) was born and raised in Kirkcaldy, though her books' liner notes refer only to a 'small Scottish mining town'. Child author Marjorie Fleming ('Pet Marjorie') (1803-1811) was born, lived and died in Kirkcaldy.

Amateur phenologist David Grisenthwaite lives in the area.

Bertha Wilson (1923-2007), the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Canada and the Court of Appeal for Ontario was born in Kirkcaldy.

[edit] Areas of Kirkcaldy

Areas of Kirkcaldy include:

• Blackcraigs
• Chapel
• Dunnikier
• Dysart (sometimes thought of as a separate town)
• Gallatown
• Hayfield
• Linktown
• Newliston
• Pathhead
• Raith
• Redcraigs
• Sauchenbush
• Sinclairtown
• Smeaton
• Templehall
• Torbain

[edit] Sport

The local senior football team in the town is Raith Rovers F.C., who play at Stark's Park on Pratt Street, south of the town centre. The club formed in 1883 and was elected to join the first Scottish league in 1901. They went full time in 1990 as a decision made by then manager Frank Connor who shortly afterwards left the club. Under manager Jimmy Nicholl they not only went on to play one full season in the SPL (1992-1993) but also won the Coca-Cola cup (now CIS cup) in 1994 and went onto a guaranteed spot in the UEFA cup in 1995 after he left. They are of present (as of 2007/08 Season) playing in the Scottish second division.

Kirkcaldy has a local junior side, known as Kirkcaldy YM (Young Men), who play in the East Region, Central Division although they dropped out of the league after the 2006/2007 season because of a lack of players. They are hopeful to form a new team and backroom staff including manager in place for the 2008/2009 season. [3]

Kirkcaldy RFC, the local senior rugby side in the town currently play their matches from their small ground situated in the Beveridge Park. They are of present (as of Jan 08) playing in the BT Premiership Third Division. They have in recent years managed promotion from Premiership 3 as leaders at the end of the 1996/1997 season and promoted to Premiership 1 in 1999. Their player Matthew Harvey has had several appearances for Scotland's under 21s.

The oldest existing ice hockey team in the United Kingdom, the Fife Flyers, are based in the town, playing at the Fife Ice Arena on Rosslyn Street. They played in the now defunct British National League alongside teams in Guildford, Milton Keynes, Slough, Dundee and Paisley Pirates. The team's future was recently put in jeopardy for the 2005/2006 season after the British National League was disbanded. This resulted in them having to join the Scottish National League, playing teams of a markedly lower standard. [4]

The Beveridge Park in the town hosted motorcycle racing before the Knockhill circuit was built in 1974.

[edit] Golf Courses

Kirkcaldy has two golf courses. Kirkcaldy Golf Club, commonly known as Balwearie course, was established in 1904 and designed by Old Tom Morris. It is an 18 hole course in 150 acres (0.61 km²) of parkland. The course has a clubhouse which serves meals, a bar and a small golf shop. There is also a small practise putting green prior to the first hole.

Dunnikier Park Golf Course, opened in 1963, is an 18 hole parkland course to the north of the town. It is a municipal course and is adjacent to Dunnikier House Hotel.

[edit] Education

[edit] Primary Schools

• Capshard
• Dunearn
• Dunnikier
• Dysart
• Fair Isle (construction of new school building lasted for two years until November 2006. younger pupils went to Kirkcaldy North and older pupils went to Capshard whilst the work was being carried out)
• Kirkcaldy North
• Kirkcaldy West
• Pathhead
• Sinclairtown
• Strathallan (opened in January 2007, the School is the newest addition to Kirkcaldy)
• St Marie's RC
• Torbain
• Valley

Some of Kirkcaldy's primary schools have an attached nursery near the main building. These include: Capshard, Fair Isle, Torbain, Kirkcaldy West and Kirkcaldy North.

[edit] High Schools

[edit] Balwearie High School

Main article: Balwearie High School

Balwearie caters for pupils in the west side of the town, which includes the surrounding areas of Burntisland, Kinghorn and Autchertool. The School has been open since 1964 but did not become comprehensive until 1972. The School also provides an adjacent DSE (Department of Special Education) unit and a community centre outwith normal School hours. The school also recently invested in an all-weather games pitch.

[edit] Kirkcaldy High School

Main article: Kirkcaldy High School

Kirkcaldy is the oldest high school of the four in the town. The School has existed since 1852, although the School is well equipped with up-to-date facilities including an all-weather games pitch and ICT equipment. Kirkcaldy was once treated as the main high school for pupils that passed their eleven plus exam until this was phased out in 1974 when the new comprehensive program was introduced. The school is soon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their main building.

[edit] St Andrew's RC High School

St Andrew's [5], founded in 1959, is one of only two Catholic secondary schools in Fife, serving the eastern half of the county. The catchment primary schools are St Marie's RC , St Paul's RC (Glenrothes], St Ninian's RC (Cardenden), St Patrick's RC (Lochgelly), St Agatha's RC (Leven), St Columba's RC (Cupar),Greyfriars RC (St Andrews). A new games hall and building for social subjects and guidance has been opened in the last five years. Recently, there is a large extension going to become the new home of several re-located departments such as Art and Design, Music and Computing among others.

[edit] Viewforth High School

Viewforth opened in 1908. The School caters for pupils in the east of Kirkcaldy.

Viewforth was earmarked for closure in 2005, due to the falling pupil numbers and the deteriorating condition of the buildings. There was going to be a new secondary school to replace it to serve the area. However, nothing has been done about this since.

[edit] Further Education

Adam Smith College, which was formed in August 2005 with the combining of Fife College and Glenrothes College ^[19] The College has two main campuses in Kirkcaldy, St Brycedale on St Brycedale Avenue (the larger) and Nairn/Priory on Victoria Road. St Brycedale Campus' famous tower blocks, which stood for four decades, were removed and the campus was both refurbished and extended before the merger.

The college provides training and education for over 15,000 people. Actors Ewan McGregor, Sharon Small, Dougray Scott and Shirley Henderson, DJ Edith Bowman and the artist Jack Vettriano attended the college.

The University of Dundee School of Nursing and Midwifery has a campus in Kirkcaldy, near the railway station. It was threatened with closure when the university wished to close the campus and relocate to Dundee in early 2006. [6]

[edit] Health

[edit] Forth Park Hospital

Forth Park Hospital as of present is the main maternity hospital in the town, currently situated on Forth Park Avenue. The hospital is going to close in 2010 and the site sold when the new maternity facilities at Victoria open. [7]

[edit] Victoria Hospital

Main article: Victoria Hospital (Kirkcaldy)

Kirkcaldy has been served by the Victoria Hospital (known locally as The Vic) since opening in 1967. It caters for the Kirkcaldy and mid-Fife area and is one of the two main hospitals in Fife. [8] The Whyteman's Brae Hospital on the other side of the road is part of the same complex, primarily catering for the elderly and for psychiatric patients.

[edit] Shopping and Leisure

[edit] Kirkcaldy Town Centre

Kirkcaldy's town centre is focused on a traditional High Street which runs parallel with the coast stretching from the historic harbour in the north-east to Nicol Street in the south-west. Kirkcaldy is a sub-regional centre and currently has the largest retail provision of all of Fife's town centres.

The central portion of Kirkcaldy's High Street was pedestrianised in 1991 between Whytescauseway and Kirk Wynd. There are a number of major retailers here with The Mercat Shopping Centre and The Postings Shopping Centre both in the vicinity. There was a Mercat Cross on the High Street until 1782 and a plaque erected by the Civic Society marks its former position.

Kirkcaldy's swimming pool opened in 1972 and is located on the esplanade, adjacent to the Mercat Shopping Centre. The pool contains a shallow pool for infants, a medium-sized and a large pool with diving boards. There are plans for a new pool to be built, under which work would start in April 2010, the pool to open by October 2011 at the latest. This plan does not include additional community sports facilities, which had been under consideration. However, Kirkcaldy Area Sports Council are putting pressure on Fife Council to stop the £11 million replacement of the swimming pool from going ahead. They want to look seriously at the future of the town and the leisure facilities it can successfully provide to the population by suggesting other plans. They believe that the construction of a multi-purpose sports centre would be better financially than just a replacement of the town's swimming pool.

The former town house was situated at 166 High Street from 1827-1935, the site being marked by a Kirkcaldy Civic Society plaque on the current building, now a Marks and Spencer store. The current town house was built in 1958, a little to the west of the High Street. This building has a distinctive green copper spire with a clock face. The town square which fronts the town house is used for the Kirkcaldy Farmers Market and local Scout groups for St Andrew's Day celebrations.

Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court also faces onto the town square and serves the town and the central Fife area including Glenrothes and Levenmouth.

The northern section of the town centre also contains a number of important civic buildings including the town's museum and library, a college campus and the Adam Smith Theatre. The railway station and bus station are also located at sites in the northern part of the town centre.

[edit] Waterfront Development

Kirkcaldy has historically turned its back on its waterfront and as a result the esplanade has become renowned for its run-down and dilapidated appearance.

There have been plans to redevelop the waterfront development for a number of years. In 2001 proposals were put forward to build a new retail park at least 70 m out into the Firth of Forth. [9] [10] However this was refused on access and environmental grounds and because of its relative disconnectivity from Kirkcaldy's central shopping area. [11] A number of well known high street retailers were said to be interested at one stage in coming to the town as part of this development. [12] More recently revised plans to regenerate the waterfront have been prepared. This is expected to include the development of a cinema, new shops, a hotel and would see replacement of the crumbling 88-year-old sea wall. These form part of a wider Masterplan to regenerate the town centre and will be expected to start sometime during 2009 and 2010. [13] [14] [15]

[edit] Further shopping facilities

Kirkcaldy has a large retail park on the former site of Chapel Farm, north-west of the town centre. [16] The park is anchored by Sainsbury's, eleven other retail units and three fast food restaurants, McDonald's, KFC and Pizza Hut. The retail park is probably the most successful in Fife, and this extra competition may have contributed to a slight drop in pedestrian flow in the town centre. A forthcoming development due in late 2008, will see an extension holding a B&Q anchor store and builders yard and 360 new car park spaces.

There is a plan to build new retail units and a business park on a site adjacent to the former Nairn's factory on Nairn Street. Morrisons are to anchor this development.

[edit] Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery

Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery, which opened in 1925, was donated by John Nairn as part of the War Memorial "to those who fell in the Great War", himself having lost his only son in the conflict^[20]. The Museum and Art Gallery holds a permanent display of Kirkcaldy's industrial heritage and many notable paintings, particularly of the Scottish Colourists. [17]

[edit] Kirkcaldy Central Library

The Central Library is part the same building as the Museum and Art Gallery but was added later in 1928. The library is the biggest in the town, containing a children's section, adult's section and a reference library. There is also a portrait of John Nairn, who gifted the library to the town, located in the adult's section.

There had been a plan to build a new library in the town on part of the former Nairn's factory. A lack of space and the need for an extension was the possible reason. [18]

[edit] Employment

Employment sites in Kirkcaldy are largely concentrated in the north of the town. Main sites include Mitchelston, Randolph and the John Smith Business Park.

Smaller industrial sites are also located at Smeaton, Hayfield, Dysart, the harbour and Invertiel.

Kirkcaldy employs around 21,500 people representing around 16% of employment in Fife. Unemployment in Kirkcaldy is above the national average at 4.9%.[19] The largest private sector employers in Kirkcaldy are MGT, a Call Centre operation. Forbo Nairn (floor coverings), ESA McIntosh Ltd (furniture manufacturers) and Kingdom Bakers Ltd (food & drink) are also major employers in Kirkcaldy.

There are plans to provide further business space at Kirkcaldy east near the Kingslaw development site. This forms one of Fife's key Strategic Development Areas. This is aimed at addressing the chronic shortage of jobs in Kirkcaldy and is intended to aid with the high levels of unemployment in the town and its travel-to-work area^[clarify] which has seen Kirkcaldy officially branded as the third poorest town in the UK. [20][21]

The John Smith Business Park is also in line for a jobs boost, with Fife Council giving the development £2.75 million and another £400 000 being provided by Scottish Enterprise Fife[22] for the long term economy for both the town and central Fife. The new extension is expected to be open by early 2009.

[edit] Transport

[edit] Road Network

Kirkcaldy is within easy access from the A92 whereby two exits exist at both the east and west sides of the town. The A92 connects the town to Glenrothes (A911) and Dundee to the north and Dunfermline (A907) to the west. It connects with the M90 linking to the Forth Road Bridge and Edinburgh at Dunfermline. There are also main roads from the surrounding areas such as the A915 (Standing Stane Road) from Leven/St Andrews; A955 from Methil and East Wemyss and the A921 from Kinghorn/Burntisland/Aberdour which all meet in the town.

[edit] Kirkcaldy Railway Station

Main article: Kirkcaldy railway station

Kirkcaldy railway station is located to the north-west of the town centre on Station Road, adjacent to the Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery with another entrance on Whyte Melville Road. The station is on the route for the Fife Circle Line and is deemed a commuter station for Edinburgh. The existing station building dates from 1991. The previous building had been subject to a fire.

Stations in Dysart and Sinclairtown were closed during Beeching's railway cuts. There has been a proposal to reopen Sinclairtown Station, which closed in 1968.

[edit] Kirkcaldy Bus Station

Kirkcaldy Bus Station is on Hunter Place. Recently, the main terminal building was demolished and rebuilt, along with work to replace the old stances and paving. This was scheduled to be completed by Christmas 2006, but was hindered by the liquidation of the Rosyth firm carrying out the work. [23] [24] The main building took until Summer 2007 to be fully completed.[25]

The Station contains a newsagents, seating area, cafe, lockers and toilets in the main terminal building and a hairdressers in a unit at the rear of the building.

[edit] Hovercraft service

Between 16 and 28 July 2007 an experimental hovercraft service (marketed as Forthfast) was operated between Kirkcaldy and Portobello, Edinburgh. Stagecoach operated the trial service and are considering establishing this link on a permanent basis. However, the service is now being geared up to start in 2009 at the latest. [26]

[edit] Kirkcaldy Park and Ride

There has been a proposal to operate a park and ride system for people to visit the town centre over the recent problems with Kirkcaldy Station's car park charging, which has received backing from councillor George Leslie. [27]

[edit] Religion

Kirkcaldy has a large number of churches, the oldest, the Old Kirk, dating back to the late 16th century. The larger church next door (on the other side of Kirk Wynd), St. Brycedale Church, now known as St Bryce's Kirk was opened in 1881. St. Bryce himself was at one time Bishop of Tours, in France, and it is thought that the town of Falkirk owes its name to him, being derived by way of Gaelic and Anglo-Saxon from Eglwys Brioc (church of Bryce), Bryce having travelled to Central Scotland in the early 5th century. [28]

There are currently plans for a mosque in the Templehall area of the town but a variety of concerns has been raised by locals and the community council.[29]

[edit] Churches

Name	Address	Postcode
Abbotshall Church	Abbotshall Road Kirkcaldy	KY2 5PH
Kirkcaldy Old Kirk (Old Parish Church) (now merged with St Brycedale)	2 Townsend Place Kirkcaldy	KY1 1HB
Jesus Christ of The Latter-day Saints Chapel	Winifred Crescent Kirkcaldy	KY2 5SX
Linktown Church	Nicol Street Kirkcaldy	KY1 1NY
Newcraigs Evangelical Church	Forres Drive Kirkcaldy	KY2 6YL
Pathhead Baptist	Anderson Street Kirkcaldy	KY1 2AQ
Pathhead Parish Church	Church Street Kirkcaldy	KY1 2AJ
Rhema Church	131 Links Street Kirkcaldy	KY1 1QL
St Bryce Kirk (St Brycedale merged with the Old Kirk to safeguard their future)	St Brycedale Avenue Kirkcaldy	KY1 1ET
St John's Church Of Scotland	Meldrum Road Kirkcaldy	KY2 5LE
St Maries Church	101 Dunnikier Road Kirkcaldy	KY2 5AP
Templehall Parish Church	Beauly Place Kirkcaldy	KY2 6EX
The Church of Christ	Hayfield Road Kirkcaldy	KY2 5DG
The Coptic Orthodox Church Of Scotland	Links Street Kirkcaldy	KY1 1QE
West End Congregational Church	High Street Kirkcaldy	KY1 1LN
Whytescauseway Baptist Church	Whytescauseway, Kirkcaldy	KY1 1XF

[edit] Church associations

At one time the 4th Kirkcaldy Company of the Boys Brigade was the largest company in this organisation.

[edit] Pictures

Kirkcaldy History Monument, Tolbooth Street	Tolbooth Street (once the site of a Tolbooth)	High Street (West End)	Historical Mounement,High Street
M&S Clock, 166 High Street	Mercat Cross Site, 166 High Street	Kirk Wynd	St Bryce Kirk
Hunter Street	Kirkcaldy Town House, Town Square	Whytecauseway	First World War Memorial, War Memorial Gardens
Second World War Memorial, War Memorial Gardens	(Railway Bridge) Wemyssfield	Abbotshall Church	Old Milestone, Abbotshall Road
Victoria Tramways Power Station, corner of Nairn Street and Dunnikier Road	Former Nairn's Building, Nairn Street (soon to be demolished)	Nairn's Factory, Kirkcaldy (temporary location)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Kirkcaldy Civic Society
• About Kirkcaldy
• Kirkcaldy on FifeDirect
• Kirkcaldy Renaissance on FifeDirect
• Kirkcaldy Town Centre Management
• Langtoun Online
• Kirkcaldy Economic Profile
• Tribute site to the Kirkcaldy Alternative Music Scene of the 1980s
• The Fife Post
• Kirkcaldy Renaissance

[edit] Further interest

[edit] Town Rivalry, Kirkcaldy Vs Glenrothes

• "Glenrothes Could Become Top Town"
• "Town Wars: the gloves are off!"
• "The Future - A Merged Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy"
• "Kirkcaldy Hits Back in Furious Row"

[edit] Economy & Employment

• "Job Figures Shock for Kirkcaldy and Dundee"
• "Are We Really Such a Poor Town?"
• "200 Jobs: Come and Get Them!
• "Schemes Where Poverty is Rife and 50% Are Out of Work