Kirkcaldy

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Kirkcaldy

Kirkcaldy District 1975-96

Kirkcaldy (pronounced kir-kawdy) is currently the largest town in Fife, Scotland. Known as The Lang Toun (Long Town) in Scots, it has a population of, according to Scotland's Census Results Online, 46,912 Langtonians - the name for Kirkcaldy's residents. (Do not confuse with Auchterarder - known as "The Lang Toon")

The town lies on the north bank of the Firth of Forth. The former burghs of Dysart, Linktown and Pathhead, and the villages of Sinclairtown and Gallatown are now incorporated into Kirkcaldy. The name 'The Lang Toun' derives from the proximity of these burghs and villages to Kirkcaldy and the subsequent spread of the town along the shores of the River Forth.

Kirkcaldy was formerly famous for linoleum manufacturing, linen production and for its annual week-long Links Market - Europe's longest street market - 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. In the 17th century it boasted one of the earliest Latvian consulates.

History

It is the largest town in Fife and was the administrative centre of Kirkcaldy District from 1975 to 1996. It was gifted to the monks of Dunfermline Abbey in 1364, on condition of a mutual protection pact against the Nordic raiders, who had already ravaged the East Neuk. The town's status as a royal burgh was confirmed by Charles II in 1661. Kirkcaldy grew up around its harbour near the mouth of the East Burn and expanded rapidly in the 19th century with the development of textile, linoleum and coal industries.

Today Kirkcaldy encompasses the former burghs of Dysart, Linktown and Pathhead as well as the villages of Sinclairtown and Gallatown and part of the Raith Estate. Its town centre was designated a conservation area in 1980 and amongst many interesting buildings are the Old Parish Church with its Norman Tower, 15th-century Ravenscraig Castle, 17th-century Sailor's Walk, Kirkcaldy Art Gallery and Museum (1925), the Adam Smith Centre (1894-99), the Nordic style Town House designed in 1937 by David Carr, Dunnikier House (built in the 1790s and now a hotel), Balwearie Community School dating from the 1960s, and St Brycedale Church (1877-81) which rises to 60m (200 feet) and takes its name from Kirkcaldy's patron saint.

Famous people

In addition to the "Father of Modern Economics" Adam Smith (1723-90), the "Demarcator of Standard Time" (Universal Standard Time) Sandford Fleming (1827-1915), and one of Scotland's most famous architects, Robert Adam (1728-92), Kirkcaldy has been the birthplace of a great 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. In politics, Kirkcaldy counts sixth Governor-General of Australia, Ronald Munro-Ferguson and Sir David Steel (1938-). Among its sons, the current British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown (1951-), although born in Glasgow, moved to Kirkcaldy at an early age and is the local UK Parliamentary Constituency's MP. In sport, twice World darts champion Jocky Wilson was born in the town and lives in the Lauder Road area. From popular culture, Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman comes from Kirkcaldy. Jack Vettriano (1951-), the UK's most popular living artist, was born close by.

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.

Colin Cameron, a professional footballer and Scottish internationalist was also born in the Linktown area of Kirkcaldy, starting his career with Raith Rovers F.C..

Sport

The local football team in the town is Raith Rovers F.C. who play at Stark's Park. The oldest existing ice hockey team in the United Kingdom - Fife Flyers - are based in the town, playing at Fife Ice Arena. There is also a local Rugby Club, Kirkcaldy RFC, who play at Beveridge Park. Rugby player Matthew Harvey (1986) was born and raised in the Smeaton area of Kirkcaldy. He has played for the Kirkcaldy rugby team for a number of years but has not received full international recognition despite several appearances for Scotland's under 21s.

Education

Adam Smith College has several campuses throughout the town, the main one being the St Brycedale Campus. They provide training and education for over 15,000 people. Actors Ewan McGregor, Dougray Scott and the artist Jack Vettriano are some of the famous people that have attended the College.

Kirkcaldy is home to four high schools and eleven primary schools, they are as follows:

High Schools

Balwearie High School
Kirkcaldy High School
St Andrews R C
Viewforth High School

Primary Schools

Capshard
Dunearn
Dunnikier
Fair Isle
Kirkcaldy North
Kirkcaldy West
Pathhead
Sinclairtown
St Maries R C
Torbain
Valley

Media

The local paper, the Fife Free Press is published every Thursday containing all the latest news from the town. The Courier, published by DC Thomson, also provides local news in its Fife edition. Since February 2002, the local hospital radio station Classic VRN began broadcasting 24 hours a day on 1287 Medium Wave; however, "Kingdom FM" is the nearest major radio station.

Political subdivisions

From 1975 Kirkcaldy gave its name to a local government district in the Fife region of Scotland. Since 1996 it has been included in the Fife unitary area. (See: Subdivisions of Scotland)