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<!--
{{infobox UK place|
|country = Scotland
|official_name= Kirkcaldy
|local_name= '''The Lang Toun'''<ref name="Pearson pp12-15">Pearson ''Around Kirkcaldy'' pp.12-15.</ref><ref name="History & Celebration pp10-11"/>
|gaelic_name= Cathair Chaladainn<ref name="Scottish Gaelic Placenames">{{cite web |author=Iain Mac an Tàilleir |year=2003 |format=[[Portable Document Format|PDF]] |publisher=[[Scottish Parliament]] |page=75 |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesK-O.pdf |title=Scottish Gaelic Placenames |accessdate=2008-08-10}}</ref>
|scots_name=
|population= 48,108 (town)<ref name="Population Estimates"/> <br>
|population_density= {{Pop density mi2 to km2|1669|precision=0|abbr=yes|wiki=yes}}
|os_grid_reference= NT275915
|map_type=Scotland
|latitude= 56.11073
|longitude= -3.16737
|unitary_scotland= [[Fife]]
|lieutenancy_scotland= [[Fife]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (UK Parliament constituency)|Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath]]
|constituency_scottish_parliament= [[Kirkcaldy (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Kirkcaldy]] <br/> [[Mid Scotland and Fife]]
|post_town= KIRKCALDY
|postcode_district = KY1, KY2
|postcode_area= KY
|dial_code= 01592
|london_distance={{convert|341|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[Boxing the compass|SSE]]
|edinburgh_distance={{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on}} [[Boxing the compass|S]]
|static_image= [[Image:Kirkcaldy.jpg|240px]]
|static_image_caption=<small>Kirkcaldy from the [[Firth of Forth]]</small>
|area_total_sq_mi=6.9
}}
'''Kirkcaldy''' ({{pronEng|kɪrˈkɔːdi}}{{Audio|Kirkcaldy.ogg|listen}}; {{lang-gd|Cathair Chaladain}}) is a town and former [[royal burgh]] in [[Fife]], on the east coast of [[Scotland]]. It lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the [[Firth of Forth]] and is the largest settlement between the cities of [[Dundee]] and [[Edinburgh]].
The town began as a [[burgh]] under the control of [[Dunfermline Abbey]]. A harbour built around the east [[Burn (topography)|burn]] gradually led to the growth of the town surrounding the harbour itself, [[main street]] and Tiel burn following the demand of trade with the [[Baltic region|Baltic]]. Early industries which soon prospered included the production of [[Textile industry|textiles]], [[nailmaking]] and [[salt panning]]. The [[Industrial Revolution]] of the 19th and 20th centuries proved to be the most famous period for the town which saw the introduction of [[linoleum]]. Originally developed in the town as floorcloth, this was quickly dominated by the Michael Nairn & Co but did not become popular across a worldwide scale until the beginning of the 20th century.
Kirkcaldy has long been nicknamed the '''Lang Toun''' ([[Scots language|Scots]] for 'long town') in reference to the {{convert|0.9|mi|km|1|adj=on}} (later a {{convert|4|mi|km|1|disp=s|adj=on|abbr=on}}) main street of the early town, depicted so on maps as early as the 16th and 17th centuries.<ref name="Pearson pp12-15" /><ref name="Pride pp51-52">Pride ''Kingdom of Fife'' pp.51-52.</ref> According to the 2006 population estimate, Kirkcaldy has a population of 48,108, making it the largest town in Fife. The town falls under the wider Kirkcaldy and Mid-Fife Local Plan Area which has a population of 180,220. This total population includes the large cluster of ex-mining communities around [[Cowdenbeath]], the New Town of [[Glenrothes]] and also the industrial towns of [[Leven]] & [[Methil]].
Today Kirkcaldy is a centre for the surrounding areas, with a public [[Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery|art gallery]], two public parks, shopping facilities and the annual Links Market, [[Europe]]'s longest [[street fair]]. The town is twinned with [[Ingolstadt]] in [[Germany]].
== History ==
{{main|History of Kirkcaldy}}
One of the earliest historical events in the vicinity of the town was the [[Battle of Raith]] in 596 AD, where the [[Angles]] fought an alliance of [[Scoti|Scots]], [[Picts]] and [[Britons (historical)|Britons]] led by King [[Áedán mac Gabráin]] of [[Dál Riata]].<ref name="History & Celebration pp10-11">Civic Society ''History & Celebration'' pp10-11.</ref> The name Kirkcaldy means "place of the hard fort", or "place of Caled's fort". It is derived from the [[Pictish]] ''caer'' meaning "fort", ''caled'', which is Pictish "hard" or a personal name ''Caled'', and ''–in'', a suffix meaning "place of". ''Caled'' may describe the fort itself or be an [[epithet]] for a local "hard" ruler.<ref name="Taylor and Márkus p487">Taylor and Márkus ''The Place-Names of Fife: Volume One'' p.487.</ref> The first historical records of the town were made around 1095, when [[Malcolm III]] purchased the [[shire]] of ''Kirkaladunt'' from the crown lords of Fife to be given to the monks of [[Dunfermline Abbey]] as a means of aiding the funding of their newly built church. <ref name="Remembered pp6-8">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'' pp.6-8.</ref><ref name="Eunson pp3-4">Eunson ''Old Kirkcaldy: Central, North and West'' pp.3-4.</ref><ref>Omand 2000, p.105.</ref><ref name="Bean p33">MacBean 1908, p.33.</ref> The town's name was adopted in 1304 from the outcome of a discussion between the abbot of [[Dunfermline]] requesting permission from King [[Edward I of England]] ([[Scotland]] being under occupation in this period) to hold a weekly market and annual fair (the latter is the basis of the modern Links Market) in this ''"most ancient of burghs"''. <ref name="Eunson pp3-4"/><ref name="Torrie & Coleman p12">Torrie & Coleman ''Historic Kirkcaldy'' p.12.</ref><ref name="Brown p82">Brown ''The Fife Journal'' p.82.</ref>[[Image:Volunteers' Green, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|right|180px|The remains of the common moor now known as Volunteers' Green]] Kirkcaldy was then granted burgh of barony status sometime between 1315 and 1328 by [[Robert II|Robert The Bruce]]. <ref name="Omand p136">Omand ''The Fife Book'' p.136.</ref> In 1451, the town was awarded [[feu|feu-ferme status]] gaining independence from [[Dunfermline Abbey]] meaning that it was now free to introduce its own administrative issues and [[fiscal]] polices. <ref name="Eunson pp3-4">Eunson ''Old Kirkcaldy:Central, North and West'' pp.3-4.</ref> Later, the town was given a [[charter]] by [[Charles II]] granting [[royal burgh]] status in 1644. As a gesture, he decided to leave {{convert|9|acre|m2}} of common moor to the town suitable "for dying and bleaching of linen, drying of clothes, recreation and perpetuity". <ref name="History & Celebraton pp17-18">Civic Society
''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'' pp.17-18.</ref>
Kirkcaldy harbour was acknowledged for having "a sheltered [[cove]] round the East [[Burn (topography)|Burn]]", thus giving easy accessibility for boats.<ref name="Pride pp51-52" /> The success led to the growth of the burgh, surrounding the harbour, Main Street and Tiel (West) burn, commented on by [[Thomas Carlyle]].<ref name="Lamont-Brown pp145-146">Lamont-Brown ''Fife in History and Legend'' pp.145-146.</ref> During his stay he described the town as being "a mile of the smoothest sand, with one long wave coming on gently, steadily, and breaking into a gradual explosion beautifully sounding, and advancing, ran from the South to the North, from the West Burn to Kirkcaldy Harbour, a favourite scene beautiful to me still in the faraway".<ref name="History & Celebration pp10-11"/><ref name="Remembered pp6-8" /><ref name="Lamont-Brown pp145-146" /><ref name="Wemyss p1">Wemyss Environment Educational Centre 1990, p.1.</ref> Difficult times lay ahead to beset the development of the town such as the [[Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms|Covenanting War]] (1644–65) leading to the death of over 250 men.<ref name="Pearson pp12-15" /><ref name="Eunson pp3-4"/><ref name="History & Celebraton pp17-18" /> and then the Highland [[Jacobite rebellion]] invading the town on two occasions during the 18th century in 1715 and between 1745 and 1746.
<ref name="History & Celebraton pp17-18" />
As Kirkcaldy entered into the 19th century, the arrival of the [[Kirkcaldy and District Railway]], later to become part of the [[North British Railway]]saw the town develop into the industrial heart of Fife reviving the use of Kirkcaldy port, which had a severe setback during the mid-17th century.<ref name="Omand p195">Omand ''The Fife Book'' p.195.</ref><ref name="Awdry p141">Awdry ''Encyclopaedia of British Railway Companies'' p.141.</ref> The harbour was 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 build a new wet dock and pier from 1843–46.<ref name="Omand p195"/> The subsequent demands for [[linoleum]] and coal led to a further extension from 1906–08 in the form of an inner dock.<ref name="Pride pp51-52"/><ref name="Eunson p6">Eunson ''Old Kirkcaldy: Central, North and West'' 1998, p.6.</ref>
Kirkcaldy became a centre for iron founding and linen manufacturing—specialising in coarser material (i.e. [[sailcloth]]).<ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'', p.89.</ref><ref>Omand 2000, p.189.</ref> [[Linoleum]] was first introduced by the Scottish Linoleum Company (later Barry, Ostlere and Shepherd), due to the expired [[patent]] of Frederick Walton in 1877.<ref>McKay 2002, p.64.</ref> Although the Michael Nairn & Co Ltd have since become famous, for their [[Trade Mark]] and being the world producers of the cloth.<ref name="Pride pp51-52" /><ref name="History & Celebration p80">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.80.</ref> The linoleum also made Kirkcaldy recognisable from ''the queer-like smell'' resulting from the odour of the principal ingredient, [[linseed oil]]. <ref name="Lamont-Brown pp145-146" /> The Nairn's, as a family, were later [[philanthropists]] bequeathing land for public and commercial use, over the course of several decades, as "good deeds" to the citizens of Kirkcaldy, with examples such as two public parks (Beveridge and Ravenscraig) and a museum, art gallery and library complex. <ref name="Pearson pp12-15" /> Other industries such as [[coal]], [[pottery]], [[flour]], [[malt]], [[printing]], light electrical engineering and furniture manufacturing flourished.<ref name="History & Celebration p80"/><ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.30.</ref> [[Carpet]]s, whose production coincided with linoleum, were also made in the town for a brief time by the firm Victoria Carpets until they moved their production to [[Kidderminster]] in 1901.<ref name="History & Celebration p80"/><ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.96.</ref><ref name="Civic Society p5">Civic Society ''Back O' The Toon'' 1999, p.5.</ref>
There are various monuments in Kirkcaldy, one of which can be found on Forth Avenue. Dedicated to 40 Fifers, who despite opposition from the British government risked their lives by joining the [[International Brigade]] in 1936 to fight fascism in [[Spanish Civil War]]. A rededication ceremony was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the conflict on Oct 2006<ref name="The Courier">{{cite web |url= http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2006/10/09/newsstory8840489t0.asp |title= Courier: Civil war volunteers honoured |publisher=[[The Courier]] |accessdate=2009-04-09}}</ref>
The burghs of [[Pathhead]], [[Linktown]], Gallatown and Sinclairtown were amalgamated into the royal burgh of Kirkcaldy in 1876.<ref name="History & Celebration pp10-11"/><ref name="Eunson pp3-4" /><ref name="Bean p60">MacBean 1908, p.60.</ref> The town had a population of nearly 30,000 by the time of the census in 1891. Throughout the 20th century, the town continued to grow with several acquisitions (including most specifically, Dysart) reaching a population of nearly 50,000 by 1951.<ref name="Eunson pp3-4" /><ref name="History & Celebration p54">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.54.</ref><ref name="Development of Kirkcaldy">Royal Burgh of Kirkcaldy County Council ''Kirkcaldy Development Plan of 1952'' </ref> New housing estates to the north-west, multi-storey flats and the redevelopment of areas such as Sinclairtown and Linktown occurred between the 1950s and 1960s. There was speculation that the town could grow around the 55,000 to 60,000 mark by 1970. However, the decline of linoleum in the mid-1960s saw the population of the town dip from a peak of 53,750 in 1961 to 47,962 in 1981.<ref name="Eunson pp3-4" /><ref name="Development of Kirkcaldy" />
[[Image:Forbo-Nairn linoleum factory, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|left|170px|the current Forbo-Nairn linoleum buildings]]
Nowadays, Kirkcaldy remains a busy town for the surrounding areas complete with modernised [[secondary school]]s; two campuses of the Adam Smith College and prime shopping facilities in the town centre and Sinclairtown. The town also hosts the annual Links Market commonly known as ''Europe's longest street fair''.<ref name="Remembered pp6-8"/><ref name="Brown p62">Brown ''Fife Coast'' p.62.</ref><ref name="Eunson p29">Eunson ''Old Kirkcaldy: Central, North and West'', p.29.</ref><ref name="Pearson p17">Pearson ''Around Kirkcaldy'', p.17.</ref> The production of linoleum still continues to this day, despite being on a vastly reduced scale and now in Swiss ownership. <ref name="Remembered pp6-8" /> The company, which has since become known as ''forbo nairn'' has also diversified into the production of [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]] floor tiles and [[Marmoleum#Marmoleum|marmoleum]] for which the latter is now their speciality. <ref name="Pride pp51-52" /><ref name="The Fife Book">Omand, Donald ''The Fife Book'', 2000</ref>
== Governance ==
{{further|[[History of local government in Scotland]]}}
During the middle of the 15th century, the passing of [[feu|feu-ferme status]], for the first time, saw the town being able to deal with their own administrative issues and fiscal policies. <ref name="Torrie & Coleman p12" /> A deal was also made for the town to now control their own burgh revenues such as rents, multries and revenues from fishing in exchange for an annual payment of 33s 4d to the abbot of Dunfermline (who was the superior of the estate of ''Kirkladunt'' between 1095 and 1451). <ref name="Eunson pp3-4" /><ref name="Torrie & Coleman p12" /> The burgesses (or neighbours) became responsible for the affairs of the town, such as enforcing freedom from opposition and having trading rights. <ref name="Campbell pp.85-7">Campbell John Reverend ''Kirkcaldy Burgh and Schyre: Landmark of Local History'' pp.85-7.</ref> The first mention of a town council was made around 1582, where the head courts of the burghs would meet either in the common muir (now known as Volunteers' Green) or the Tolbooth on Tolbooth Street which would be done particularly in the summer months. <ref name="Torrie & Coleman p12" /><ref name="Torrie & Coleman p30">Torrie & Coleman ''Historic Kirkcaldy'' p.30.</ref>
[[Image:Kirkcaldy royal coat of arms.jpg|thumb|left|100px|one of two royal burgh of Kirkcaldy coat of arms]]
When Kirkcaldy was awarded [[Royal burgh]] status in 1644, the duties of the provost were initially completed by bailies, councillors and [[magistrate]]s (following the passing of an act in 1588 by the burgesses to prohibit the election of provosts). <ref name="History & Celebraton pp17-18" /><ref name="Campbell pp.85-7" /> The first [[Lord Provost]] as Robert Whyt of the Whyt family was finally elected to the post around 1658. The burgh was also one of four in [[Scotland]] to use two [[coat of arms]] introduced in 1673. The first supposed to be "an abbey" reputedly [[Dunfermline Abbey]] bearing the motto ''Vilgilando Munio'' (I Stand by Watching). The second shows the figure of St Bryce with the "abbey" in the background. <ref name="Fife Council p10">Fife Council ''Kirkcaldy's History Its Places and Its Famous Folk'' p.10.</ref> The royal burgh status was abolished in 1975, when a three-tier authority was adopted under the [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973]] and the [[County Planning (Scotland) Act 1972]]. <ref name="Remembered pp6-8" /><ref>{{cite book |title=Planning Handbook |edition=1st edition |publisher=Kirkcaldy District Council |year=1979}}</ref> The town is now part of a [[unitary council area]] which has been under the control of Fife Council in [[Glenrothes]] since 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kirkcaldy's history 1990-1999 |publisher=Fife Today |accessdate=2008-08-09 |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/CustomPages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=17703}}</ref>
=== Local government ===
{{Main|Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994}}
[[Image:Kirkcaldy Town House, Wemyssfield, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Kirkcaldy Town House]]
The Kirkcaldy area supports three multi-member wards with eleven councillors sitting on the committee of Fife Council. <ref name="Kirkcaldy's councillors">{{cite web |url=http://www.fife.gov.uk/orgs/index.cfm?fuseaction=councillor.all&orgid=60304273-A856-11D6-BF4D0002A5349AC9&contentid=A1520B22-9012-4485-ACC5CD065A028EEB |title=Kirkcaldy's councillors, Fife Today}} Retrieved on 12 September 2008. </ref> The main headquarters for the Kirkcaldy Area including administrative and planning issues are based in Kirkcaldy's town house and Forth House. <ref name="History & Celebration p54"/><ref name="admin. HQ">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=06596AA1-B51F-42C2-8A5CAEEA9BA07A67 |title=Kirkcaldy Town House, Central Region Administrative Headquarters}} </ref><ref name="planning HQ">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/topics/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&subjectid=63EACDA4-C16A-46EF-802EFE268DC296A0&FacId=952D4EEC-8E24-4AA7-A2E1ED75C83F2340 |title=Forth House, Central Region Planning Headquarters}} </ref>
[[Kirkcaldy Town House]] which was completed between 1953 and 1956, initially served as the headquarters of Kirkcaldy District Council between 1975 and 1996. <ref name="Pearson p17" /> The town is also home to a sheriff court which works in partnership with other local services to guarantee credible and highlight social inclusion. Working procedures which the court deals with include a social work service, voluntary support and supervision of offenders, for example, such as drug treatment and probation. <ref name="Kirk Sheriff Court">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=servicefacility.display&facid=AAE1A770-0860-46EA-80C356F9E5E3CC46&objectid=DAAEF7EB-3B7D-4671-8FC23007ED6E6EBA |title=Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court information, Fife direct}} </ref>
=== Westminster and Holyrood ===
{{Main|Mid Scotland and Fife (Scottish Parliament electoral region)}}
Kirkcaldy is within the [[Kirkcaldy (Scottish Parliament constituency)]], the [[Mid Scotland and Fife (Scottish Parliament electoral region)]] of the [[Scottish Parliament]] (at ''Holyrood'') and the [[Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (UK Parliament constituency)]] (at ''Westminster'').<ref name="scottish.parliament.uk">{{cite web |title=Kirkcaldy and Mid-Fife MSP info |publisher=Scottish Parliament |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/locate/con-kirk.htm |accessdate=2008-08-17}}</ref>
The Kirkcaldy Scottish Parliament (or ''Holyrood'') constituency created in 1999 is one of nine within the Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region. Each constituency elects one [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) by the first past the post system of election, and the region elects seven additional members to produce a form of proportional representation. The seat is currently held by Marilyn Livingstone for Labour.<ref name="scottish.parliament.uk"/>
The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath UK (or ''Westminster'') constituency, created in 2005 when the previous seat Kirkcaldy was abolished, elects a [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] of the Parliament of the United Kingdom by the first past the post system. The seat is currently held by [[Gordon Brown]] (the PM for the UK) for Labour.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=2007-11-19 |title=Gordon Brown MP profile |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/mpdb/html/712.stm |accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref>
== Geography ==
Kirkcaldy is located on a bay facing southeast onto the [[Firth of Forth]], along a sandy cove.<ref name="Remembered pp6-8" /><ref name="Torrie & Coleman pp5-6">Torrie and Coleman ''Historic Kirkcaldy'' pp.5-6.</ref> The town is located in the [[Central Lowlands|Midland Valley]] of Scotland between the major cities of [[Edinburgh]] and [[Dundee]] {{convert|30|mi|0|km}} away.<ref name="KEP">{{cite web |format=PDF |title=Kirkcaldy Economic Profile |publisher=Fife Council |month=June | year=2006 |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_RevisedKirkcaldy_Apr07.pdf |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> The town is triangular in shape with relatively low-lying ground being a feature to the south-west near Invertiel and to the east of Boreland both areas of the town. Agricultural land in the vicinity of Kirkcaldy supports cereals, grass, potatoes, field beans, other vegetables and roots. The soil derives from [[Carboniferous]] [[limestone]] and [[Old Red Sandstone]] gravels and raised beach sands.<ref name="Torrie & Coleman pp5-6"/> The town's [[British national grid reference system|national grid reference]] is NT275915.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=p&gazString=KIRKCALDY |title=Ordnance Survey of Kirkcaldy's location |accessdate=2008-07-21}}</ref>
{{geocompass
|hub = Kirkcaldy
|type = ex
|NE = [[Buckhaven]]
|NN= [[Glenrothes]]
|NW= [[Cardenden]]
|WW= [[Dunfermline]]
|EE= [[Firth of Forth]]
|SE= [[Firth of Forth]]
|SW= [[Burntisland]]
|SS= [[Kinghorn]]
}}
Areas in and around the town centre at {{convert|50|ft|m}} above sea level contain clay, sand and gravel while the majority of Pathhead, Ravenscraig Park and older parts of Dysart at {{convert|100|ft|m}} contained sandy gravel and shaley soil. The highest piece of ground in the vicinity of the town, west of the Raith Estate at {{convert|500|ft|m}}, contains hard volcanic ash while to the north of the estate (Sauchenbush and south-east Chapel) are [[dolerite]] rock outcrops. An area to the south-west of the town, south of the Raith Estate and Invertiel, is practically impossible to build houses upon because of the thin drift and being full of [[basalt]] fragments.<ref name="Local Plan 1980 p3">Kirkcaldy District Council (Feb 1980) ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan - Planning Issues'', p.3.</ref> A {{convert|25|ft|m|sing=on}} [[raised beach]] to the west of the High Street (a result of sea level changes 5 to 10 000 years ago) is likely to have heavily influenced Kirkcaldy's mediaeval form and development.<ref name="Torrie & Coleman pp5-6" />
=== Built environment ===
Kirkcaldy developed as a linear settlement stretching along the sandy cove between the Tiel Burn in the south and the East Burn to the north. More recently as the town has developed north the settlement shape is more triangular in form.<ref name="Remembered pp6-8" /><ref name="Torrie & Coleman pp5-6" /><ref name="Local Plan 1986">Kirkcaldy District Council ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan'' 1986 </ref>
[[Image:Ravenscraig flats, Kirkcaldy.JPG|thumb|right|180px|Scottish-style multi-storey flats in Pathhead]]
Following the Second World War, the first development plan was approved in the mid-1950s. <ref name="Development of Kirkcaldy" /> This saw new housing developments in the north and west sides of the town built by the private sector, the SSHA ([[Scottish Special Housing Association]]) and the then Fife County Council. Much of this land was suitable since it contained no man-made or natural barriers. Older areas in the town such as Gallatown, Sinclairtown, Pathhead and Linktown were also subsequently re-developed under the plan. <ref name="Development of Kirkcaldy" /><ref name="Sinclairtown re-development">Sinclairtown Re-development scheme, ''The Fife Free Press'', May 16 1964</ref> This partnership played a pivotal role in the distribution of ownership ratios to the west of the town and in the owner occupied Dunnikier Estate. The town was to maintain a reputation for having a good mix of both private and public housing and having more smaller scale residential developments including land that applies to availability returns.<ref name="Local Plan 1980">Kirkcaldy District Council ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan: Report Survey'' 1980 </ref> The construction of the first multi-storey flats in the town began in the late 50s with the completion of Viewforth followed by Ravenscraig during the mid-60s located on The Esplanade and in Pathhead, respectively. <ref name="History & Celebration pp35-36">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'' pp.35-36.</ref>
[[Image:Oriel Crescent, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|left|180px| Scottish-style private housing to the west of Oriel Road]]
The features of housing styles of imported English bricks, tiles and horizontal picture windows can be seen in the Templehall, Longbraes and Dunnikier parts of the town. Later, housing styles in Redcraigs, Blackcraigs and other parts of Templehall as well as ones to the west of Oriel Road built during the 1970s were of Scottish origin showing dark roof tiles, lightly coloured rendered walls and windows. <ref name="Local Plan of 1983">Kirkcaldy District Council (Feb. 1983) ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan: Development Issues'' </ref>
A local plan replaced the first development plan in the early 80s, under the Town and Country Planning (Act) Scotland 1972 and Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. This new plan dealt with highlighting areas for local authorities, private organisations and individuals while looking at the availability and best use of [[Greenfield land|greenfield]] sites around the town, although [[brownfield land]] within Kirkcaldy was also considered.<ref name="Local Plan 1982">Kirkcaldy District Council ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan 1982'', 1982, p.5.</ref> [[Image:Capshard Estate.jpg|thumb|right|180px|English-style semi-detached housing in Capshard Estate]]
New housing developments were focused towards the south-west (Southerton, Raith) and north-west (Capshard) of the town.<ref name="Local Plan 1986 Monitor p12&13">Kirkcaldy District Council ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan 1986 Monitor'', 1986, pp.12–13.</ref> The 1980s Local Plan also promoted the upgrading of many roads within and surrounding the town including the completion of the Thornton-by-pass (Kirkcaldy-Glenrothes Road) in 1980 and East Fife Regional Road ([[A92 road|A92]]) in 1990—which the latter saw the town finally connect to the motorway system bringing viable growth and new development.<ref name="Kirkcaldy draft local plan p9">Kirkcaldy District Council (April 1981) ''Kirkcaldy draft local plan'', p.9.</ref><ref name="Local Plan of 1991 p5">Kirkcaldy District Council ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan'' 1991, p.5. </ref>
Another local plan developed in the early 90s aimed to regenerate Kirkcaldy by creating new employment opportunities in the north of the town and facilitating the creation of a variety of housing types and conditions. A major objective was to improve the state of residential areas by promoting suitable development land within the town.<ref name="Local Plan of 1991 p5" /> The majority of new housing was development by private developers in the south-east (Seafield) and north-west (Chapel Farm site) of the town. The new local plan also allowed out-of-town shopping facilities to be developed, conveniently located adjacent to the new A92 junction at Chapel. <ref name="Local Plan of 1991 p7">Kirkcaldy District Council ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan'' 1991, p.7.</ref>
==Demography==
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin:0 0 0.5em 1em; font-size: 90%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Kirkcaldy compared according to [[United Kingdom Census 2001|UK Census 2001]]'''<ref name="Kdy population">{{cite web |url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=Kirkcaldy&mainLevel=Locality |title=Comparative Populartion: Kirkcaldy Locality Scotland|publisher=scrol.co.uk|author=|year=2001|accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref><ref name="FifePopulation">{{cite web|url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainLevel=CouncilArea&mainArea=Fife&mainText=&mainTextExplicitMatch=false&compLevel=CountryProfile&compText=&compTextExplicitMatch=null|title=Comparative Population Profile: Fife Council Area Scotland|publisher=scrol.gov.uk|author=|year=2001|accessdate=2008-05-29}}</ref><ref name="KdyEmployment">{{cite web |url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Employment&mainLevel=Locality&mainText=Kirkcaldy&mainTextExplicitMatch=false&compLevel=CountryProfile&compText=&compTextExplicitMatch=null|title=Comparative Employment Profile: Kirkcaldy Locality Scotland|publisher=scrol.gov.uk|author=|year=2001|accessdate=2008-09-30}}</ref><ref name="FifeEmployment">{{cite web |url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Employment&mainLevel=CouncilArea&mainArea=Fife&mainText=&mainTextExplicitMatch=false&compLevel=CountryProfile&compText=&compTextExplicitMatch=null|title=Comparative Employment Profile: Fife Locality Scotland|publisher=scrol.gov.uk|author=|year=2001|accessdate=2008-09-30}}</ref>
|-
!
!style="padding:2px;"|Kirkcaldy
!style="padding:2px;"|Fife
!style="padding:2px;"|Scotland
|-
! align="left"|Total population
|46,912||349,429||5,062,011
|-
! align="left"|[[British nationality law|Foreign born]]
|1.01%||1.18%||1.10%
|-
! align="left"|Over 75 years old
|8.57%||7.46%||7.09%
|-
! align="left"|Unemployed
|5.68%||3.97%||4.0%
|}
According to the 2001 census, Kirkcaldy had had a total population of 46,912. <ref name="Kdy population" /> A recent population estimate of Kirkcaldy has been recorded at 48,108 in 2006. The town also falls under the wider Kirkcaldy and Mid-Fife Local Plan area which includes Glenrothes, Levenmouth, Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly having an overall total population of 180,220. <ref name="Population Estimates">{{cite web |publisher=Fife Council |month=March | year=2008 |title=Population Estimates for Towns and Villages in Fife |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-05-07 |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_Population06Leaflet.pdf}}</ref>
The demographic make-up of the population is much in line with the rest of Scotland. The age group from 30 to 44 forms the largest portion of the population (22%). <ref name="Kdy population" /> The median age of males and females living in Kirkcaldy was 37 and 41 years respectively, compared to 37 and 39 years for those in the whole of Scotland. <ref name="Kdy population" />
The place of birth of the town's residents was 96.52% United Kingdom (including 87.15% from Scotland), 0.28% Republic of Ireland, 1.18% from other European Union countries, and 1.86% from elsewhere in the world. The economic activity of residents aged 16–74 was 40.13% in full-time employment, 12.17% in part-time employment, 4.79% self-employed, 5.68% unemployed, 2.57% students with jobs, 3.06% students without jobs, 15.70% retired, 5.51% looking after home or family, 6.68% permanently sick or disabled, and 3.71% economically inactive for other reasons. The number of children living in low income families is 46% within the constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath. Compared with the average demography of Scotland, Kirkcaldy has low proportions of people born outside the United Kingdom but has higher proportions for people over 75 years old. The most deprived areas of the town are Templehall and Valley regarded as the 7th in the SIMD indicators for Fife. <ref name="Kirkcaldy profile"/>
A local plan which looks forward to 2026 says that the Kirkcaldy and Mid-Fife area will need at least 6,730 more houses to keep the population stable. There is expected though to be a 0% growth in population issued by the Housing Market Area (HMA). The urgent need for more housing alongside the SEA ([[Strategic Environmental Assessment]]) was the result of the Environment Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Scotland) regulations in 2004.<ref name="Local Plan 2002 p11">Fife Council (Feb 2002) ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan - Pre-Inquiry Modifications'', p.11.</ref> The main areas of growth will be seen to the east and south-west of the town coinciding with the 20-year plan by SLA (Scottish Land Allocations).<ref name="Local Plan 2002 p16">Fife Council (Feb 2002) ''Kirkcaldy Local Plan - Pre-Inquiry Modifications'', p.16.</ref>
== Economy ==
=== Employment ===
Many people in the town are employed in the service sector, particularly MGT (call centre), which is now the largest private sector employer in the town.<ref name="KEP" /> Other employers include: Forbo Nairn (floorcloth coverings), Adam Smith College, ESA McIntosh (school furniture manufacturers), Victoria Hospital and Kingdom Bakeries (food and drink) .<ref name="KEP"/><ref name="Kirkcaldy profile"/> Kirkcaldy is Fife's third largest employment centre with approximately 21,500 people employed in the town, representing 16% of employment in Fife. Unemployment in Kirkcaldy is above the national average at 4.9%.<ref name="KEP"/>
Kirkcaldy has, however, been recognised as one of Fife’s strategic development areas.<ref name="fife.gov.uk"/> This is aimed at addressing the chronic shortage of jobs in Kirkcaldy and the high levels of unemployment in the town.<ref name="KEP"/> The long anticipated extension to the John Smith Business Park, due to open in early 2009, is hoped to improve the economy of the town and Central Fife.<ref name="KEP"/><ref>{{cite news |publisher=BBC News |date=2008-03-06 |title=Work starts on major office block |accessdate=2008-06-20 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7280957.stm}}</ref> There is also a proposal for a new business park, situated to the east of Kirkcaldy near the Kingslaw development, although this has not officially started yet.<ref name="fife.gov.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=advice.display&adviceid=4BF101BD-0655-D4CE-3747A8B6FEA65750 |publisher=Fife Council |year=2003 |title=Kirkcaldy Area Local Plan}}</ref>
=== Town centre ===
[[Image:High St.jpg|thumb|left|210px|Kirkcaldy High Street, looking North-East towards Kirk Wynd]]
Kirkcaldy's town centre has always been focused on the High Street, which runs parallel with the coast, stretching from the historic harbour in the north-east to Nicol Street in the south-west.<ref>{{cite web |format=PDF |url=http://www.fife.gov.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_KirkcaldyTownCentreFS.pdf |title=Kirkcaldy Town Centre Fact Sheet |publisher=Fife Council |month=October | year=2006 |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> The centre which is labelled a conservation area contains many vibrant buildings for both civic and commercial purposes. These include a town house; a sheriff court; a railway station; two college campuses and a museum, art gallery and public library complex.<ref name="Pride pp51-52" /><ref name="Civic Society, pp.7, 35">Civic Society, "Town Centre Walkabout", 2000, pp.7, 35.</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=1980-06-13 |title=Conservation Area granted |work=Fife Free Press |page=1}}</ref>
Historically the town had a wealth of family owned businesses which attracted people from across Fife and outside the county to visit the town.<ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'', p.29.</ref> The town still has the main shopping area in Fife and currently the largest provision of all of the council area's town centres.<ref name="KEP"/><ref name="Footfall Report">{{cite web |month=October | year=2006 |title=Town Centre Footfall Report |format=[[DOC (computing)|DOC]] |publisher=Fife Council |accessdate=2008-06-23 |url=http://www.fife.gov.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_TownCentreFootfallFinalReportOct2006.doc }}</ref> The central portion of Kirkcaldy's High Street was pedestrianised in 1991 between Whytescauseway and Kirk Wynd.<ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.46.</ref> A number of major retailers have outlets here with [[The Mercat Shopping Centre]] and The Postings Shopping Centre both in the vicinity.<ref name="Footfall Report"/> A Kirkcaldy development plan, under proposals laid out by Kirkcaldy Renaissance, has been promoted for town centre regeneration. This should include an extension to the town's shopping facilities, a hotel and a multiplex cinema.<ref>{{cite news |last=Scoon |first=Tayne |date=2007-05-24 |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/fife-free-press-news/PUBLIC-TO-GET-FIRST-VIEW.2902671.jp |title=Public to get First View |work=Fife Free Press |accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2008-07-03 |title=Town Centre look great. Shame about the trash... |work=Fife Free Press |page=3}}</ref>
== Culture ==
[[Image:Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery]]
Considered by many to be one of Scotland's finest museums, the
[[Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery]] was donated in 1925 (by Nairn's benefactor, John Nairn the grandson of Michael Nairn), contains a notable collection of paintings by the [[Scottish Colourists]] and a permanent display of the town's industrial heritage.<ref name="Remembered p72">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'', p.72.</ref><ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.33.</ref>
The nearby Adam Smith Theatre (initially known as the Adam Smith and Beveridge Halls) opened in 1899 by [[Andrew Carnegie]] as part of a memorial fund left in the will of Michael Beveridge to preserve the legacy of [[Adam Smith]] on the 100th anniversary of his death.<ref name="Remembered p11" /><ref name="Civic Society p59">Civic Society, ''Kirkcaldy's Famous Folk 3'', 2000, p.59.</ref><ref name="Civic Society p13">Civic Society, ''Town Centre Walkabout'', 2000, p.13.</ref> The theatre is currently the base for musical companies and organisations such as [[Fife Opera]], KADS (Kirkcaldy Amateur Dramatic Society), KAOS [http://www.visitkaos.co.uk Kirkcaldy Amateur Operatic Society], the local [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] group and of course, the annual Fife Festival of Music which gives an opportunity for Fife's best musicians and choirs to highlight their talent.<ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'', p.49.</ref><ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=event.display&objectid=95D9B9D1-D6E8-18BF-25DE7D8F8E287717 |title=Fife Festival of Music, Fife direct |accessdate=2008-10-24}}</ref>
The famous Links Market sited on the Promenade every year, widely claimed to be "Europe's longest street fair" began as a farmer's market in 1304 before moving to Sands Road (later to be known as the Promenade) in 1903. <ref name="History and Celebration p114">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.114.</ref> The 700th anniversary of the market was celebrated in 2004. <ref name="History and Celebration p114" /> Another tradition in the town is the pageant which began in 1923 to raise money for several hospitals. Many local firms would supply the decorations for the floats with local people on foot collecting money as well as the participation of local bands. This would change to local charities in 1948 with the birth of the [[NHS]] (National Health Service). Later, saw the introduction of the Lang toun lad and lass riding in a carriage in 1968. The Pageant has since been revived in 2001. <ref name="History & Celebration pp35-36" /> Kirkcaldy was also credited in the song [[Cry Baby Cry]] as the ''dutchess of Kirkcaldy'' by [[The Beatles]] which featured on their [[White Album]]. This had been inspired by [[John Lennon]], when the band visited the town on a Scottish tour in late 1963. <ref name="Beatles p153">''Beatles in Scotland'' p.153.</ref>
[[Image:Adam Smith House, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|right|170px|the location where Adam Smith, wrote his most famous work - "The Wealth of Nations"]]
Locally, the town is also known for having six famous sons who are: "the father of modern economics" [[Adam Smith]] (1723–90); "Demarcator of [[Universal Time|Standard Time]]" [[Sandford Fleming]] (1827–1915); one of Scotland's most famous [[architect]]s, [[Robert Adam]] (1728–92); linen manufacturer and philanthropist, [[Baillie Robert Philip]] (1751–1828); missionary to South Africa, [[Dr John Philip]] (1775–1851) and first European explorer of Australia, [[John McDouall Stuart]] (1815–66). These names have all been acknowledged in Kirkcaldy's Town House, all for the exception of Robert Philip.<ref name="Famous Folk p1,3,9,11,25,39,46&55">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy's Famous Folk 1'' 2000 pp.1, 3, 9, 11, 25, 39, 46, 55.</ref><ref name="Fife Council p19,22,25,27&29">Fife Council''Kirkcaldy's History, Its Places and Its Famous Folk'' Sept. 2000, pp.19, 22, 25, 27, 29.</ref> Although, in the last decade, two further names have been added: poet, diarist and author, Marjorie "Pet Majorie" Fleming (1803–11) and floorcloth later linoleum manufacturer, Michael Nairn (1804–58).<ref>Fife Council, "Kirkcaldy's History, Its Places and Its Famous Folk", Sept. 2000, p.16.</ref> Other literary and artistic people associated with or hailing from the town include current [[United Kingdom]] [[prime minister]] [[Gordon Brown]]; the author [[John Buchan]]; architect [[William Adam]]; artist [[Jack Vettriano]]; writers [[Ian Rankin]] and [[Val McDermid]] and professors [[Duncan Glen]], William Walker and [[Tom Hubbard]]. In politics, the town boasts [[Governor-General of Australia]], [[Ronald Munro-Ferguson, 1st Viscount Novar|Ronald Munro-Ferguson]]; [[David Steel]] the final leader of the [[Liberal Party]] and the first female judge of the [[Supreme Court of Canada]] and [[Court of Appeal for Ontario]], [[Bertha Wilson]]. In popular culture, the town also boasts the [[Coldplay]] bassist, [[Guy Berryman]].
== Landmarks ==
[[Image:Norman tower of Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|right|180px|The Norman square tower of the Old Kirk]]
Andersoune's House, located at 34-36 Kirk Wynd, of vernacular design is partly eighteenth century and one of three good examples of seventeenth and eighteenth century architecture in Kirkcaldy town centre, along with 17 Tolbooth Street and 23/25 Tolbooth Street. <ref name="Pride pp51-52" /><ref name="Torrie and Coleman pp63/4">Torrie and Coleman ''Historic Kirkcaldy'' pp.63/4.</ref> The Old Kirk, which was largely re-built between 1806 and 1808, retains a square Norman-style tower dating back to around 1500. This has been recognised for being a good example of a late Medieval church tower in Fife, playing both religious and defensive roles in its history. <ref name="Pride pp51-52" /><ref name="Omand p134">Omand ''The Fife Book'' p.134.</ref> Beside the two entrances to the churchyard of the Old Kirk, is the Scottish baronial style Hendry Hall at 40 Kirk Wynd, dating from 1890, donated to the church and named after the benefactor Daniel Hendry of Forth Park Trades Hall. <ref name="Pride pp51-52" /><ref name="High Street p20">Civic Society, ''High Street:Port Brae to Nicol Street'' p.20.</ref> To the east on Coal Wynd is the St Brycedale Mission Hall dating from 1910, now converted into a dance studio. <ref name="High Street p8">Civic Society ''High Street:Port Brae to Nicol Street'' p.8.</ref>
[[Image:Beechwood, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Beechwood, former home of Michael Beveridge]]
At the top of Bennochy Road is Beechwood, dating from around 1880, which was built by town provost Michael Beveridge (1836-90) as his home. The house is now the centrepiece of luxury apartments with the building itself converted into two flats. <ref name="Remembered p11">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'' p.11.</ref><ref name="Famous Folk 3 p61">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy's Famous Folk: Volume 3'' p.61.</ref> Three other main houses were also built around this area - Forth Park, Marchmont and Morningside - of which the latter two were converted into nursing homes. However Morningside was returned to residential use in 2000 together with its original name "Kilmeny" as can be found engraved on a stone wall perimeter wall.<ref name="Remembered p11" /> Opposite Bennochy Road is War Memorial Gardens and Kirkcaldy Museum, Art Gallery and Library, all built between 1923 and 1928 and which were donated to the town by John Nairn, grandson of Michael Nairn who lost his only son, Ian Nairn in the [[World War II|Second World War]]. This was built on the site of the demolished Balsusney House, home of John Maxton. <ref name="Pride pp55-58">Pride, Glen L. ''Kingdom of Fife'' pp.55-58.</ref><ref name="Town Centre p7">Civic Society ''Town Centre Walkabout'' p.7.</ref> At the corner of Bennochy Road and St Brycedale Avenue, is the Adam Smith Theatre, and beyond to the north-east is the 200ft (60m) spire of St Brycedale Church on St Brycedale Avenue, which was built between 1877 and 1881 as a [[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|Free Church]]. <ref name="Pride pp51-52" /><ref name="Brown p85">Brown, Hamish M. ''The Fife Book'' p.85.</ref>
[[Image:Merchant's House, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Merchant's House]]
To the north-east of the town are two important buildings associated with or at one stage the homes of wealthy merchants and shipowners connected with Kirkcaldy's harbour. <ref name="Torrie and Coleman p61">Torrie and Coleman, ''Historic Kirkcaldy'' p.61.</ref><ref name="Glen p24">Glen, Duncan ''Kirkcaldy: A New Illustrated History'' p.24.</ref> The Merchant's House located at 339/343 High Street, built by the Law family around 1590, is considered to be one of Scotland's finest sixteenth-century town houses and it has been stated by Scottish Heritage Trust that this may "be the most important town house outside the cities". <ref name="Pride pp55-58" /><ref name="Glen p24" />. The decor and quality of the building has been claimed to be similar to that of [[Culross Palace]] in [[Culross]] and [[Gladstone's Land]] in [[Edinburgh]]. <ref name="Pride pp55-58" /> The Flemish-influenced Sailors' Walk located at 443/449 High Street, were initially a pair of two 17th century dwellings.
<ref name="McNeill p21">McNeill, Carol ''Kirkcaldy: In Old Picture Postcards'' p.21.</ref> A regular visitor to the house was believed to be [[Mary Queen of Scots]] on her journeys to [[Falkland Palace]]. <ref name="McNeill p21" /> The house was nearly demolished in 1934, but was saved by a forward-looking committee and was acquired in 1935 by the [[National Trust for Scotland]]. <ref name="McNeill p21" /> Later, Wheeler and Sporson undertook reconstruction work on the building between 1954 and 1959. <ref name="McNeill p21" />
[[Image:Path house, Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Path House]]
North of the harbour area on the Path are two excellent examples of distinctive architectural styles. <ref name="Pride pp55-58" /> The impressive Hutchison's House was designed by George Spears, the owner of the nearby East Bridge distillery, in 1793. Displaying an ellipticed fanlight and doric-columned Venetian windows, these are evidence of his wealth. <ref name="Torrie and Coleman pp63/4" /><ref name="Pride pp55-58" /> At the top of the Path, is Path House (initially known as Dunnikier House) a three-storey L-plan tower house designed by John Watson of [[Burntisland]] in 1692. <ref name="Torrie and Coleman pp63/4" /><ref name="Pride pp55-58" /><ref name="Pathead and Ravenscraig p25">Civic Society ''Pathhead and Ravenscraig Castle'' p.25.</ref> The house became a home for the Oswald family - specifically Captain James Oswald - when Watson sold the property, citing financial difficulties in 1705. <ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History & Celebration'' pp.13-14.</ref> The building itself is presented with finely-carved dormerheads, a moulded doorway and a double wall sundial. <ref name="Torrie and Coleman pp63/4" /><ref name="Pride pp55-58" /> A circular tower was a later addition to the building around 1880. <ref name="Torrie and Coleman pp63/4" /><ref name="Pathead and Ravenscraig p25" /> Under Sir John Oswald, the Oswald family would later built a new Dunnikier House - one of Kirkcaldy's two "big houses" - between 1791 and 1793 to the north of the town. <ref name="Pride pp55-58" /><ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14" /><ref name="Famous Folk 3 p1">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy's Famous Folk: Volume 3'' p.1.</ref> The house has since been converted into a hotel. <ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14" /> The other "big house" is Raith located to the south-west of the town surrounding Raith Estate. This was built by Alexander Lord Raith, first son of the 4th Earl of Leven and Melville for his bride, Barbara Dundas with the architect being James Smith between 1692 and 1694. <ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14" /><ref name="Pride p103">Pride, Glen L. ''Kingdom of Fife'' p.103.</ref><ref name="Town Centre p46">Civic Society, ''Kirkcaldy Town Centre Walkabout'' p.46.</ref> The house was sold to the Fergusons in 1707 whom it is still occupied by the family under Ronald Munro-Ferguson as a private residence. <ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14" /><ref name="Town Centre p46" />
[[Image:Ravenscraig Castle 01.jpg|thumb|Ravenscraig Castle, showing the large D-plan west tower, and the ruined east tower]]
Although now referred to as a ruin, Ravenscraig Castle remains a dominant feature to the east of the town on a rocky spit of land extending into the [[firth of forth]]. <ref name="Pride p60">Pride ''Kingdom of Fife'' 1999, p.60.</ref><ref name="Omand p149">Omand, Donald ''The Fife Book'' p.149.</ref> The castle is best known as one, if not the first, in Scotland as an attempt for artillery defence to withhold cannon fire from the wall thickness; frequent shot-holes and an apparent rock-cut ditch. <ref name="Torrie and Coleman pp63/4" /><ref name="Eunson p27">Eunson ''Old Dysart and East Kirkcaldy'' 1998, p.27.</ref><ref name="Walker and Ritchie p117">Walker and Ritchie ''Fife, Perthshire and Angus'' p.117.</ref> [[James II of Scotland|James II]] began construction of the castle in 1460 to defend the important port of [[Dysart, Fife|Dysart]] along with the small harbour of Kirkcaldy in the fight to protect the crown lords of fife against piracy and [[England|English]] rivalry. <ref name="Torrie and Coleman pp63/4" /> There is also a possibility that this may have also been built as a home for his wife, [[Mary of Guelders]].<ref name="Omand p149" /><ref name="Eunson p27" /><ref name="Pathhead and Ravenscraig Castle p45">Civic Society ''Pathhead and Ravenscraig Castle'' p.45.</ref> Sadly, the king died in a tragic accident with a loaded cannon at the Siege of Roxburgh Castle (near [[Floors Castle]]) and it was completed for his widow, Mary of Guelders as a dower house.<ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14" /><ref name="Omand p149" /><ref name="Lamont-Brown p149"/> After her death in 1463, work was suspended until the hands of the castle passed into [[William Sinclair]] (otherwise known as the Earl of Sinclair) in 1470. This was because of an exchange deal with [[James III of Scotland]] for a castle in [[Orkney Isles]]. <ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14" /><ref name="Eunson p27" /> The new owners, the Sinclair family, held onto the castle until 1896—despite it suffering damage by [[Oliver Cromwell]] in 1651.<ref name="History & Celebration pp13-14" /><ref name="Lamont-Brown p149">Lamont Brown ''Fife in History and Legend'' 2002, p.149.</ref> Ravenscraig was later taken into state care by 1955 and was made an A-listed structure from [[Historic Scotland]] in 1971. <ref name="Lamont-Brown p149" /><ref name="Ravenscraig">{{cite web |url=http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/portal.hsstart?P_HBNUM=36404 |title=Ravenscraig Park, Ravenscraig Castle, Listed Building Report |publisher=Historic Scotland |accessdate=2009-01-21}}</ref> Nowadays, the general running of the castle is undertaken by the parks department of Fife Council. <ref name="Pathhead and Ravenscraig p45">Civic Society ''Pathhead and Ravenscraig Castle'' p.45.</ref>
== Sport and recreation ==
[[Image:Starks Park. Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Starks Park]]
Kirkcaldy is home to professional league teams in football, rugby and ice hockey.<ref name="History & Celebration pp50-52">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', pp.50–52.</ref>
Footballers, [[Colin Cameron (footballer)|Colin Cameron]], [[Steve Tosh]] and [[John Thomson (footballer)|John Thomson]] as well as the twice World Darts champion, [[Jocky Wilson]] have represented their home town{{Clarify me|date=May 2009}} in sporting achievements. The senior football team are [[Raith Rovers]] who play their matches at [[Stark's Park]]. The club was established in 1883 and will be playing in the [[Scottish Football League First Division]] from next season after winning promotion. In 1902, they became the first notable Fife team to be elected to the [[Scottish Football League]].<ref name="Eunson, p29">Eunson ''Old Kirkcaldy: Central, North and West'' p.29.</ref> They had some glory in the 1990s, winning the [[Scottish League Cup]] in [[1994-95 in Scottish football|1994]] by defeating [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] on [[penalty shootout (football)|penalties]] in a Final played at [[Ibrox Stadium]].<ref name="History & Celebration pp50-52" /><ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'', p.52.</ref> This cup win meant that the club qualified for the [[UEFA Cup]], where they reached the [[UEFA Cup 1995–96|second round]] before eventually losing to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Litster |publisher=J. Litster |location=Kirkcaldy |title=Rovers Recalled |year=2002 |page=5 |volume=1 |oclc=51483225}}</ref> In 2008, the club celebrated its 125th anniversary with a new sponsor and shirt as preparation for [[2008–09 in Scottish football|that season]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Elder |first=Matthew |title=Raith's new strip and sponsors |work=Fife Free Press |date=2008-06-25 |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/sport/Raith39s-new-strip-and-sponsors.4221773.jp |accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> The town also has a team at junior level known as [[Kirkcaldy YM F.C.|Kirkcaldy YM]] who were re-admitted back into the central division in 2007. The team play at Denfield Park in Den Road. <ref name="Kirkcaldy YM info">{{cite web |url=http://www.footballcentral.org/sfa/associations/scottish-junior-football-association/club-directory-a-k.cfmfo |title=list of Scottish Junior football teams A-K |publisher=Scottish Football Junior Football Association |accessdate=2009-03-08}} </ref>
[[Kirkcaldy RFC]] are the rugby union side, playing their games at the Beveridge Park. [[Fife Flyers]] are famous the oldest surviving Ice Hockey team in the [[United Kingdom]]. The team have maintained a tradition of recruiting Canadian players since the [[Second World War]].<ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.52.</ref> The town is also home to the Raith and Abbotshall curling club; several private and municipal bowling clubs; Dunnikier cricket club and a private lawn and tennis club. <ref name="History & Celebration pp50-52" /> Motorcycle racing also had a popular event, with the annual Scottish Road Races—Kirkcaldy being a pioneer in this field as the first place in Scotland to stage this—taking place in the Beveridge Park from 1948 until 1988. They have since moved to Knockhill racing circuit in [[Dunfermline]] following health and safety concerns.<ref>{{cite news |last=Salmond |first=Catherine |date=2007-07-19 |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/features/Beveridge-Park39s-place-in-motorbike.3044144.jp |title=Beveridge Park's place in motorbike history work=Fife Free Press |accessdate=2008-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bikes back at Beveridge Park |work=Fife Free Press |page=2 |date=2008-07-03}}</ref> [[Image:Ravenscraig Park, Kirkcaldy.JPG|thumb|left|180px|Ravenscraig Park]] A local club known as the KDMC (Kirkcaldy and District Motor Club), dedicated to preserve the legacy of the town's sport{{Clarify me|date=May 2009}} are still going strong.<ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'', p.55.</ref> The town's leisure facilities include a variety of public parks most notably Ravenscraig and Beveridge, an ice rink and two golf courses—Kirkcaldy (private) and Dunnikier (municipal).<ref name="History & Celebration pp50-52"/> The latter was built in 1963 as a response to the loss of Dysart golf course.<ref name="History & Celebration pp50-52"/><ref name="Eunson p26">Eunson ''Old Dysart and East Kirkcaldy'' 1998, p.26.</ref> There has also been pressure to replace the town's aging swimming pool, which has been met with controversy. The local sports council believes that funding should be directed towards building a new multi-sports centre instead, in order to improve the condition of the town's leisure facilities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Salmond |first=Catherine |date=2008-03-27 |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/Call-to-halt-11m-pool.3919592.jp |title=Call to halt £11 million pool plan |work=Fife Free Press |accessdate=2008-06-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rip it up and start again |work=Fife Free Press |page=2 |date=2008-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Speaking up in the fight to win better facilities |work=Fife Free Press |page=1,13|date=2008-05-08}}</ref><ref name="FFP, 15/05">{{cite news |title=Nobody wants new centre on this site |work=Fife Free Press |page=9 |date=2008-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Location, location.....new venues studied for pool |work=Fife Free Press |page=2 |date=2008-05-22}}</ref>
== Media ==
[[Image:Norman Tower, Old Kirk (Old Parish Church).jpg|thumb|right|the offices of The Fife Free Press are seen to the far left]]
The town's local newspaper ''The Fife Free Press'' operated by the Fife Free Press group (who are based in the town and also own the Glenrothes Gazette and East Fife Mail) is published every Thursday.
The Courier and advertiser, a daily newspaper operated by [[D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd]], also serves the Kirkcaldy area with their Fife edition.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=''The Courier'' |title=About The Courier |accessdate=2008-06-19 |date=2008-06-17 |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2008/06/17/about_courier.asp}}</ref>
The three local radio stations that serve the town are Kingdom FM, Forth one and Forth two. Kingdom FM operates on 95.2 and 96.1 MHz. This station broadcasts from the former Haig factory in the village of Markinch located immediately east of Glenrothes and operates as a local radio network. Forth One broadcasts from Edinburgh and covers the south Fife area, including Kirkcaldy. It operates on a wave length of 97.3 MHz(FM). Forth 2 sister station to Forth One operates on a wave length of 1548 kHz (Medium Wave).
== Education ==
[[Image:Balwearie High School, Kirkcaldy.JPG|thumb|left|190px|Balwearie High School]]
There are four secondary schools and twelve primary schools along with a private school and a school for children with learning difficulties in the town.<ref name="Kirkcaldy profile">{{cite web |last=Melville |first=Shirley |format=DOC |month=July | year=2006 |url=http://www.learningkingdom.org.uk/kirkcaldy/Kirkcaldy%20CLD%20Plan.doc |title=Kirkcaldy and Cardenden Area Community Learning Plan |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref><ref name="Glen p116">Glen ''Kirkcaldy: An Illustrated History'' p.116.</ref> Of these, Roman Catholic pupils are accommodated by St Maries' Primary School and St Andrew's High School - one of two catholic secondaries in Fife - catering for pupils living in the eastern half of Fife from [[Cupar]] to [[Burntisland]]. <ref name="St Andrews">{{cite web |url=http://www.fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=97B6298C-418C-4F11-BCBE5F5909037A69 |title=St Andrews RC High School status |publisher=Fife Council |accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref> Educational performances at both standard grade and higher levels are higher than the national average in [[Scotland]]. Between 2005 and 2007, 90% of pupils attending the town's schools achieved five or more standard grades passes between 1-4 and 60% of those achieving five or more higher passes between A-C. <ref name="Balwearie results">{{cite web |url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/balweariehighschoolfife.asp |title=Scottish Schools Online-Balwearie results for S4-S6 pupils |publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) |accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref><ref name="Kirkcaldy results">{{cite web |url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/kirkcaldyhighschoolfife.asp|title=Scottish Schools Online-Kirkcaldy results for S4-S6 pupils |publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) |accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref><ref name="Viewforth results">{{cite web |url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/viewforthhighschoolfife.asp |title=Scottish Schools Online-Viewforth results for S4-S6 pupils |publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) |accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref><ref name="St Andrews results">{{cite web |url=http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/schools/standrewsrchighschoolfife.asp|title=Scottish Schools Online-Kirkcaldy results for S4-S6 pupils |publisher=Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS) |accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref> In 2007, the average number of students in the town staying on to continue their [[further]] or [[higher education]] is 58%, 2% above the national average at 56%.
The oldest of the four secondary schools is Kirkcaldy High School, which was established initially as a burgh school in 1582, before the present name was adopted in 1872. <ref name="Remembered p44">Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy Remembered'' p.44.</ref> The school premises were located in St Brycedale Avenue until they moved to a new site on the north side of the town in 1958. <ref name="History & Celebration pp35-36" /> Famous pupils to attend the school include [[Gordon Brown]]. The other major secondary in the town is Balwearie which has recently been acknowledged as one of Scotland's best performing Schools.<ref name="Balwearie">{{cite web |url=http://www.fife.gov.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=9678A744-536F-4D41-B4B85BD7453BEC6A |title=Balwearie High School profile |publisher=Fife Council |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Shannon |first=Kate |date=2008-06-11 |title=Balwearie at the top of the class |work=Fife Free Press |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/Balwearie-at-the-top-of.4175669.jp |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref> The school which began life as a junior secondary in 1964, now contains the largest intake of the four with 1550 pupils serving the western side of Kirkcaldy along with neighbouring [[Burntisland]] and [[Kinghorn]]. <ref name="Glen p116" /><ref name="Balwearie inspection">{{cite web |url=http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/5406838BalwearieHS.html |title=Balwearie High School Kirkcaldy Inspection 10/06/2008 |publisher=HMIE |accessdate=2009-02-01}} </ref> Another former junior secondary, Viewforth serves the eastern end of the town including [[Dysart, Fife|Dysart]]. <ref name="Eunson p43">Eunson ''Old Dysart and East Kirkcaldy'' 1998, p.43.
</ref><ref name="scotland.gov.uk">{{cite web |format=[[Microsoft Excel|XLS]] |url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/933/0031698.xls |title=Viewforth High School, pupil numbers |publisher=Scottish Government |accessdate=2008-07-08}}</ref>
[[Image:Adam Smith College (St Brycedale Campus), Kirkcaldy.jpg|thumb|right|170px|St Brycedale Campus, Adam Smith College]]
[[Adam Smith College]], Scotland's third largest college, was formed from the merger of Glenrothes College and Fife College of further and higher education in 2005. <ref name="Adam Smith College inspection">{{cite web |url=http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/Adam%20Smith%20Main.html |title=Adam Smith College inspection |publisher=Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools in Scotland (HMIE) |date=2007-07-09 |accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref><ref name="Fife College no more">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/New-name-and-a-new.1098682.jp |title=Fife College no more, |work=Fife Free Press |date=2005-07-27 |accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> The college has three campuses in the town - St Brycedale, Priory and Mitchleson (known as the Fife Institute of Technology). <ref name="Adam Smith">{{cite web |url=http://www.adamsmithcollege.ac.uk/general/contactinfo/default.aspx |title=Adam Smith College campus info |publisher=[[Adam Smith College]] |accessdate=2007-06-28}}</ref> The college is known for having partnerships with community organisations, often working with Fife Council and recently has forged a deal with the [[University of Abertay, Dundee]] for students to be given the chance to do university courses for degrees, within the vicinity of the college grounds, for the first time. <ref name="Adam Smith College inspection" /><ref name="University deal">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/University-courses-in-Kirkcaldy.4734629.jp |title=University Courses in Kirkcaldy |publisher=Fife Free Press |date=November 26 2008 |accessdate=2009-01-01}}</ref>
== Transport ==
{{Main|Kirkcaldy railway station}}
[[Image:Kirkcaldy railway station.jpg|thumb|right|190px|Main Entrance (South Platform), Kirkcaldy Railway Station]]
Kirkcaldy is served by the A910 road which connects the [[A92]] with [[Dunfermline]] to the west and [[Glenrothes]] and [[Dundee]] to the north. The main route through the town, Chapel Level and Dunnikier Way (B981) runs from Chapel Junction in the west to Redhouse Roundabout in the east where this meets the [[A92]] and joins up with the [[A915]], [[A955]] and [[A921]].<ref name="Nicolson Maps p7">''Nicolson Maps Street Atlas, Fife 2nd edition'', p.7.</ref><ref name="Nicolson Maps p32">''Nicolson Maps Street Atlas, Fife 2nd edition'', p.32.</ref> The [[A915]] known locally as the ''Standing Stane Road'' connects the town to [[St Andrews]] and [[Leven]] to the north-east and the [[A921]] to [[Kinghorn]], [[Burntisland]] and [[Aberdour]] via St Clair Street and The Esplanade to the south-west. The [[A955]] also connects the town to [[Dysart]] and [[East Wemyss]] to the south-east. <ref name="Nicolson Maps p35&52">''Nicolson Maps Street Atlas, Fife 2nd edition'', pp.35, 52.</ref><ref name="Nicolson Maps p37-39">''Nicolson Maps Street Atlas, Fife 2nd edition'', pp.37-39.</ref>
The main bus terminus is located on a site to the north of the town centre which provides twelve stances as well as seating, toilets, a cafe and a hairdresser. <ref name="KEP" /> A railway station can also be found to the north-west of the town centre which is on the route for [[Fife Circle Line]] and [[National Express East Coast]].<ref name="Kirkcaldy Station">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/atoz/index.cfm?fuseaction=facility.display&facid=029616FA-349C-4E36-856A1D88BFEDBA0F |title=Kirkcaldy Railway Station Profile |publisher=Fife Council |accessdate=2008-06-23}}</ref>
The station has half-hour services to both [[Dundee railway station|Dundee]] and [[Edinburgh Waverley railway station|Edinburgh Waverley]].<ref name="KEP"/>
Other services run from locations such as [[Perth railway station, Scotland|Perth]], [[Aberdeen railway station|Aberdeen]] and [[Inverness railway station|Inverness]] to the north and [[Newcastle Central railway station|Newcastle Central]], [[York railway station|York]], [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] south of the border.<ref>Civic Society ''Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration'', p.110.</ref> Nearby stations such as [[Burntisland railway station|Burntisland]] and [[Kinghorn railway station|Kinghorn]] exist to the west of the town. The nearest major international airport is [[Edinburgh airport]] with the nearest ferry sea port at Rosyth being {{convert|26|mi|km}} and {{convert|17|mi|km}}, respectively.
<ref name="Kirkcaldy profile" />
== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|2}}
=== Bibliography ===
* {{cite book |last=Eunson |first=Eric |year=1998 |title=Old Dysart and East Kirkcaldy |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |location=[[Ochiltree]] |isbn=1840330511}}
* {{cite book |last=Eunson |first=Eric |year=1998 |title=Old Kirkcaldy: Central, North and West |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |location=Ochiltree |isbn=184033052X}}
* {{cite book |author=Fife Council |year=2000 |title=Kirkcaldy's History, Its Places and Its Famous People |publisher=Fife Council |location=Kirkcaldy}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=2007 |title=High Street: Port Brae to Nicol Street |edition=7th edition |isbn=0946294720}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=2007 |title=Kirkcaldy Remembered |edition=2nd edition |publisher=Nonsuch Publishing |isbn=9781845883867}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=2005 |title=Kirkcaldy: A History and Celebration |publisher=Francis Firth Collection |isbn=1845677498}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=2002 |title=Pathhead and Ravenscraig Castle |isbn=094629447X}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=2000 |title=Kirkcaldy's Famous Folk 1 |edition=1st edition |isbn=0946294445}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=2000 |title=Town Centre Walkabout |isbn=0946294232}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=1999 |title=Kirkcaldy's Famous Folk 3 |edition=1st edition |isbn=0946294240}}
* {{cite book |author=Kirkcaldy Civic Society |year=1999 |title=Back O' The Toon |isbn=0946294143}}
* {{cite book |last=Lamont-Brown |first=Raymond |year=2002 |title=Fife in History and Legend |isbn=0859765679 |location=[[Edinburgh]] |publisher=John Donald}}
* {{cite book |last=MacBean |first=L. |title=Kirkcaldy Burgh Records |year=1908 |publisher=Fifeshire Advertiser |location=Kirkcaldy |oclc=40435665}}
* {{cite book |last=McKay |first=Shirley |year=2003 |publisher=Black & White |location=Edinburgh |title=The Wee Book of Fife |isbn=1845020324}}
* {{cite book |year=1994 |title=The Fife Journal |isbn=}}
* {{cite book |last=Omand |first=Donald |year=2000 |title=The Fife Book
|publisher=Birlinn Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=1841582743}}
* {{cite book |last=Pride |first=Glen L. |year=1998 |title=Kingdom of Fife |edition=2nd edition |publisher=Rutland Press |location=Edinburgh |isbn=1873190492}}
* {{cite book |last=Pearson |first=John M |year=1993 |title=Around Kirkcaldy |edition=1st edition |publisher=Levenmouth Printers |isbn=0951913433}}
* {{cite book |author=Torrie and Coleman |year=1995 |title=Historic Kirkcaldy |publisher=Historic Scotland with Scottish Cultural Press |isbn=1898218382}}
* {{cite book |author=Wemyss Environmental Educational Centre |year=1990 |title=Kirkcaldy Town House |isbn=1870275284}}
*{{cite book |title= The Place-Names of Fife, Volume One|last= Taylor|first= Simon|coauthors= Márkus, Gilbert|year= 2006|publisher= Shaun Tyas|location= Donington|isbn= 1 900289 77 6}}
* {{cite book |last=McNeill |first=Carol |year=1998 |title=Kirkcaldy: In Old Picture Postcards |publisher=European Library |location=[[Netherlands]]}}
== Further reading ==
=== Town rivalry, Kirkcaldy vs Glenrothes ===
* "[http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1019&ArticleID=851234 ''Glenrothes Could Become Top Town'']"
* "[http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1015&ArticleID=853517 ''Town Wars: the gloves are off!'']"
* "[http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1019&ArticleID=984001 ''The Future - A Merged Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy'']"
* "[http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1019&ArticleID=855237 ''Kirkcaldy Hits Back in Furious Row'']"
=== Economy and employment ===
* "[http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2005/05/19/newsstory7145791t0.asp ''Job Figures Shock for Kirkcaldy and Dundee'']"
* "[http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1015&ArticleID=805894 ''Are We Really Such a Poor Town?'']"
* "[http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=4924&ArticleID=1830343 ''200 Jobs: Come and Get Them!'']
* "[http://www.fifenow.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=4924&ArticleID=1992915 ''Schemes Where Poverty is Rife and 50% Are Out of Work'']
== External links ==
* [http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/kirkcaldy/kirkcaldy/index.html Undiscovered Scotland on Kirkcaldy]
* [http://www.kirkcaldycivicsociety.co.uk Kirkcaldy Civic Society]
* [http://www.aboutkirkcaldy.com About Kirkcaldy]
* [http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy on FifeDirect]
* [http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/kirkcaldyrenaissance Kirkcaldy Renaissance on FifeDirect]
* [http://www.kirkcaldytowncentre.co.uk/ Kirkcaldy Town Centre Management]
* [http://kirkcaldy.myquestion.net Langtoun Online]
* [http://www.fifedirect.org.uk/uploadfiles/publications/c64_RevisedKirkcaldy_Apr07.pdf Kirkcaldy Economic Profile]
* [http://www.kirkcaldybands.com Tribute site to the Kirkcaldy Alternative Music Scene of the 1980s]
* [http://www.thefifepost.com The Fife Post]
* [http://www.kirkcaldyrenaissance.co.uk/heritage.htm Kirkcaldy Renaissance]
* [http://kirkcaldylinksmarket.fotopic.net kirkcaldy links market]
* [http://www.mercat-centre.co.uk Mercat Shopping Centre]
* [http://www.the-postings.co.uk/index.html The Postings Shopping Centre]
* [http://www.kirkcaldygolfclub.co.uk/ Kirkcaldy Golf Club]
[[Category:Kirkcaldy| ]]
[[Category:Royal burghs]]
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