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

Kirkcaldy (pronounced /kɪrˈkɔːdi/) is the largest settlement in Fife, Scotland by population. Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Scots ( The Scots leid) refers to Anglic varieties derived from early northern Middle English spoken in parts of Scotland and Northern Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland The Lieutenancy areas of Scotland are the areas used for the ceremonial lord-lieutenants, the monarch 's representatives in Scotland. Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged gives an overview of States around the world with information on the extent of their Sovereignty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A post town is a required part of all postal addresses in the United Kingdom, and a basic unit of the postal delivery system UK Postal codes are known as postcodes. UK postcodes are Alphanumeric. The, also known as the Kirkcaldy postcode area, is a group of postal districts covering most of Fife as well as Kinross around Anstruther, Burntisland The UK Telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, is the system used for assigning Telephone numbers in the United There are a number of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom. Fife Constabulary is the police force for the Scottish council area of Fife. The fire service in the United Kingdom operates under separate legislative and administrative arrangements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Fife Fire and Rescue Service is the Statutory fire and rescue service for the area of Fife, Scotland, its Chief Fire Officer SASDivmap copyjpg|right|200px]] Helimed5jpg|thumb|right|EC-135 G-SASA "Helimed 5" based at Glasgow City Heliport]] The Scottish Ambulance Service ( Scottish Scotland constitutes a single Constituency of the European Parliament. This is a list of the 646 constituencies currently represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as at the 2005 general election Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a County constituency representing the areas around the towns of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, in Fife, Scotland The Scottish Parliament ( Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament) is the devlolved national unicameral Kirkcaldy is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament ( Holyrood) Constituencies and council areas The constituencies were created in 1999 with the names and boundaries of Westminster constituencies as existing in at that time A Gazetteer of place names in the United Kingdom showing each place's County, Unitary authority or council area and its geographical coordinates This List of places in Scotland is a complete collection of lists of places in Scotland. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Fife ( Gaelic: Fìobha) is a Council area of Scotland, situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. 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. Scots ( The Scots leid) refers to Anglic varieties derived from early northern Middle English spoken in parts of Scotland and Northern 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 Firth of Forth ( Scottish Gaelic: Linne Foirthe) is the Estuary or Firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows The former burghs of Linktown and Pathhead, and the villages of Sinclairtown and Gallatown are now incorporated into Kirkcaldy. A Burgh (ˈbʌʀə is an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland, usually a Town. For the village in Midlothian see Pathhead Midlothian. Pathhead is an area of Kirkcaldy, in Fife, Scotland. The burgh of Dysart was merged into Kirkcaldy in 1930. Dysart ( Scottish Gaelic: Diesart) is a small town and former royal burgh Dysart’s name is considered to have had two meanings "We [2]

Kirkcaldy is the largest coastal settlement between Edinburgh and Dundee, reflecting its historical importance. Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Dundee (Dùn Dèagh is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and fully named as Dundee City, one of Scotland's 32 local government council 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. Linoleum is a Floor covering made from solidified Linseed oil (linoxyn in combination with Wood flour or cork dust over a Burlap or Canvas Flax (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name Linum usitatissimum) is a member of the genus Linum The Links Market in Kirkcaldy, Fife is Europe 's longest street Fair and the oldest in Scotland. A fair is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated Carnival or Funfair entertainment 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

History

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. The Brythonic languages (or Brittonic languages or British languages) form one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic language family the other being Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages.

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]

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]

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]

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. Sir Sandford Fleming (January 7 1827 – July 22 1915 was a prolific Scottish-born Canadian Engineer and Inventor, known for introducing Universal An architect is a licensed individual who leads a design team in the Planning and Design of buildings and participates in oversight of Building Construction Robert Adam ( 3 July 1728 &ndash 3 March 1792) was a Scottish neoclassical Architect, Interior designer

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 Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time Henry Balnaves (1512? - February 1579) was a Scottish Politician and religious reformer George Gillespie (1613 &ndash 1648 Scottish Theologian, was born at Kirkcaldy, and studied at St Frederick Coutts, CBE ( September 21, 1899 &ndash February 6, 1986) was the 8th General of The Salvation Army The Salvation Army is a Christian charity and church that is internally organised like a military service. Dr John Philip ( 14 April 1775 - 27 August 1851) was a Missionary in South Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa

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 Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia of the monarch of Australia (currently Elizabeth II Queen of Australia) Ronald Craufurd Munro-Ferguson 1st Viscount Novar, KT GCMG PC ( 6 March 1860 &ndash 30 March 1934) sixth David Martin Scott Steel Baron Steel of Aikwood, KT, KBE, PC (born 31 March 1938) is a British and Scottish The current British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown (1951–) cites Kirkcaldy as his adopted home town having lived there since he was three years old. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is

In sport, twice World darts champion Jocky Wilson was born in the town and lives in the Lauder Road area. Darts refers to a variety of related games in which darts are thrown at a circular target (dartboard hung on a wall John Thomas Wilson, (born 22 March 1950) better known as "Jocky" Wilson, is a former Scottish Darts champion Former Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa player Andy Blair was also born in the town. Andy Blair (born 18 December 1959 in Kirkcaldy) is a Scottish former professional footballer, who spent his career in English football Colin Cameron, a professional footballer and Scottish international was born in the Linktown area of Kirkcaldy, starting his career with Raith Rovers F.C.. Colin Cameron (born 23 October, 1972 in Kirkcaldy) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a Midfielder for Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. Racing driver Peter Dumbreck was born and grew up in the Dysart area. Peter Dumbreck (born 13 October 1973 in Kirkcaldy) is a racing driver from Scotland

From music, Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman comes from Kirkcaldy. Coldplay TalkColdplay#Is_or_Are_dispute_again A bass player (bassist is a Musician who plays a Double bass, Bass guitar, keyboard bass or wind Guy Rupert Berryman (born 12 April 1978 is a member of the group Coldplay.

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'. Val McDermid (born June 4, 1955) is a Scottish Crime writer. Biography McDermid comes from Kirkcaldy, Fife Child author Marjorie Fleming ('Pet Marjorie') (1803-1811) was born, lived and died in Kirkcaldy. Marjorie Fleming ( 15 January 1803 - 19 December 1811) was a child writer and poet born in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland

Amateur phenologist David Grisenthwaite lives in the area. Phenology is the study of the times of recurring natural phenomena David Grisenthwaite from Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom, is an amateur phenological data recorder

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. Bertha Wernham Wilson CC ( September 18 1923, Kirkcaldy Fife, Scotland – April 28 2007, Ottawa Ontario The Supreme Court of Canada ( French: Cour suprême du Canada) is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeal in the Canadian The Court of Appeal for Ontario (frequently referred to as Ontario Court of Appeal or OCA) is headquartered in Downtown Toronto, in historic

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

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. Dysart ( Scottish Gaelic: Diesart) is a small town and former royal burgh Dysart’s name is considered to have had two meanings "We Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. Stark's Park is an Association football Stadium in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. 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. James Michael "Jimmy" Nicholl (born February 28, 1956 in Hamilton Ontario) is a Canadian -born Northern Irish former 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. History Junior football as distinguished from senior football has existed since the early 1880s Kirkcaldy Young Men FC are a Scottish junior football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. The Scottish Junior Football East Region Central Division is a third-tier division of the East Region of the Scottish Junior Football Association. 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. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Fife Flyers, established in 1938, are the oldest Ice hockey team in the country of Scotland, and also in the United Kingdom, beating the Fife Ice Arena is the home to the oldest Ice Hockey team in the UK - the Fife Flyers. They played in the now defunct British National League alongside teams in Guildford, Milton Keynes, Slough, Dundee and Paisley Pirates. See also British National League (1954 - 1960 for the earlier ice hockey league 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. Motorcycle sport is a broad field that encompasses all Sporting aspects of Motorcycling. Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife is Scotland 's national Motorsport centre

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. Thomas Mitchell "Tom" Morris Sr ( 16 June 1821 &ndash 24 May 1908) otherwise known as Old Tom Morris, was one of the 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.

Education

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.

High Schools

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. Balwearie High School is situated at the west end of Kirkcaldy in Scotland. 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.

Kirkcaldy High School

Main article: Kirkcaldy High School

Kirkcaldy is the oldest high school of the four in the town. Kirkcaldy High School is a non-denominational comprehensive state school in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. 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. Information technology ( IT) as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA is "the study design development implementation support 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. In the United Kingdom the Eleven Plus or Transfer Test is an Examination administered to some students in their last year of primary education The school is soon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their main building.

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.

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.

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. The Adam Smith College Fife is a further and higher education college located in Glenrothes, Leven and Kirkcaldy in Fife, Scotland 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. Ewan Gordon McGregor (born 31 March 1971 ˌjuːən məˈgrɛgər is a Scottish Actor, who has had significant success in mainstream indie and art Sharon Small (born 1967) is a Scottish actress. Her best-known role has probably been that of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the Dougray Scott (born 25 November 1965) is a Scottish television and film actor Shirley Henderson (born 24 November, 1965) is an award-winning Scottish actress. Edith Eleanor Bowman (born 15 January 1975 is a Scottish television and Radio presenter. Jack Vettriano, OBE born Jack Hoggan ( 17 November 1951, Fife, Scotland, UK) is a Scottish

The University of Dundee School of Nursing and Midwifery has a campus in Kirkcaldy, near the railway station. The University of Dundee ( Gaelic: Oilthigh Dùn Deagh) is the older and arguably much more stuck-up and snobby of the two Universities in the city Nursing is a Profession focused on assisting individuals families, and communities in attaining maintaining and recovering optimal Health Midwifery is a Health care profession where providers give Prenatal care to expecting Mothers attend the birth of the Infant A campus is traditionally the land on which a College or University and related institutional buildings are situated It was threatened with closure when the university wished to close the campus and relocate to Dundee in early 2006. [6]

Health

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]

Victoria Hospital

Main article: Victoria Hospital (Kirkcaldy)

Kirkcaldy has been served by the Victoria Hospital (known locally as The Vic) since opening in 1967. Victoria Hospital serves the town of Kirkcaldy and Mid-Fife area and is one of the two main hospitals in the kingdom of Fife 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.

Shopping and Leisure

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. High Street, or the High Street, is a Metonym for the generic name (and frequently the official name of the primary Business street 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. The Mercat Shopping Centre is located in Kirkcaldy, the largest town in Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom. There was a Mercat Cross on the High Street until 1782 and a plaque erected by the Civic Society marks its former position. A mercat cross is a Market cross found in Scottish cities and towns where trade and commerce was a part of economic life

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.

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]

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. Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC ( is the fourth largest chain of Supermarkets in the United Kingdom.

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]. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Museum and Art Gallery holds a permanent display of Kirkcaldy's industrial heritage and many notable paintings, particularly of the Scottish Colourists. The Scottish Colourists were a group of painters from Scotland whose work was not very highly regarded when it was first exhibited in the 1920s and 1930s but which in the late [17]

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]

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. A call centre or call center (see spelling differences) is a centralized office used for the purpose of receiving and transmitting a large volume of requests by 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 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.

Transport

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. Glenrothes is a former new town situated in the heart of Fife, in east central Scotland. Dundee (Dùn Dèagh is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and fully named as Dundee City, one of Scotland's 32 local government council Dunfermline (Scottish Gaelic Dùn Phàrlain is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife. It connects with the M90 linking to the Forth Road Bridge and Edinburgh at Dunfermline. The Forth Road Bridge is a Suspension bridge in east central Scotland Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. 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.

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. Kirkcaldy Railway Station is a railway station in the town of Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. The station is on the route for the Fife Circle Line and is deemed a commuter station for Edinburgh. The Fife Circle is the local rail service north from 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. The Beeching Axe is an informal name for the British Government 's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system There has been a proposal to reopen Sinclairtown Station, which closed in 1968.

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.

Hovercraft service

Between 16 and 28 July 2007 an experimental hovercraft service (marketed as Forthfast) was operated between Kirkcaldy and Portobello, Edinburgh. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A hovercraft, or air-cushion vehicle (ACV is an Amphibious vehicle or craft, designed to travel over any sufficiently smooth surface supported by Portobello is a beach resort located three miles (5 km to the east of the city centre of Edinburgh, along the coast of the Firth of Forth, in Scotland Stagecoach operated the trial service and are considering establishing this link on a permanent basis. Stagecoach Group plc ( is a leading international transport group operating Bus, Train, Tram, express coach and Ferry operations However, the service is now being geared up to start in 2009 at the latest. [26]

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]

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. Brice redirects here for other uses see Bricius (disambiguation Saint Bricius of Tours, also Brice, Britius, Criccius Tours is a city in France the Préfecture (capital city of the Indre-et-Loire département, on the lower reaches of the river Falkirk is also the name of the Scottish council area centred on the town see Falkirk (council area. [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]

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

Church associations

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

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)

References

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

Further interest

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"

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

---

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic