Special Days in Kirkcaldy

If you're looking for some special days in Kirkcaldy, or the 'Lang Toun' as it is known, then you'll soon find there is plenty to do here, in one of the largest towns in the Kingdom of Fife. It was the writer Daniel Defoe who described the town as "One Street, One mile long", and it is still locally known as the "Lang Toun" (or long town).

Its sea front spreads in a sweeping arc along the north of the Firth of Forth, and is one of the longest in Europe. Every year, in April, it hosts Europe's longest street markets (the "Links Market") and people from all over Fife come to enjoy this street Fair which occupies a large part of the Esplanade.

Spend a day at the Links Market for one of the most fun special days in Kirkcaldy that you'll find. Do also check out the Things to do in Fife pages. These may help you plan what to do in Kirkcaldy, but also I'm sure you'll find plenty of things for the whole family in and around the Kingdom.

Kirkcaldy is one of Scotland's most ancient burghs, with a history stretching back to the 11th century. It had several famous sons in the 18th century, the economist Adam Smith, and the architect Robert Adam.

Adam Smith

Adam Smith, the famous person to have been born in Kirkcaldy, was the 'Father of Modern Economics'. He wrote most of his book "The Wealth of Nations" in the town - which is considered by many to be one of the five most important books ever written. The book defined what we now know as the international economy, and interest in his theories has risen greatly in the past few years.

Adam Smith Theatre

Kirkcaldy became prosperous in the 19th Century, with the town being the first to have a power loom which revolutionised the weaving industry.

Later, in 1875 Michael Nairn and Co. opened the Linoleum Works, and the town became world-famous for the production of linoleum. The Nairn family helped fund the building of a school, hospital, library, the Museum and Art Gallery, and made a donation of Ravenscraig Park.

Another linoleum manufacturer, Michael Beveridge, donated the large grounds of Beveridge Park.

The town became well-known for the smell of linseed oil in the production of linoleum.

The Poet Mary Campbell Smith alludes to it in her Poem The Poem "Boy in the Train" which describes one young lad's arrival at Kirkcaldy by train.

Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery

Sir Stanford Fleming, also from Kirkcaldy, invented 'international time zones' while he helped build the first pan-Canadian railway, and also designed the first pictorial postage stamp in the world - a beaver - which later became Canada's national animal.

More modern figures to have been born or spent time in Kirkcaldy are Prime Minister Gordon Brown , the new Prime Minister, and Ewan McGregor (Actor) and the popular painter Jack Vettriano , who supports budding artists at Adam Smith College.

Modern Adam Smith College

Well, enough of the history - let's go back to 'Special Days in Kirkcaldy" - just what sort of things can you do?

The town today is a thriving community, with a modern pedestrian shopping centre. So if shopping is 'your' thing - spend time wondering around the shops, seeing what souvenirs you can buy.

When it comes to culture, there is plenty to see at both the Museum and the Art Gallery, where you'll find an award-winning exhibition of local history as well as a cafe and shop. The Gallery has a great collection of Peploe's work, as well as the only original Jack Vettriano painting to be hung in public in Scotland. The picture below is his famous "The Singing Butler"

The Adam Smith Theatre has a programme of events suitable for everyone, from children's entertainment to opera, plays, ballet, and comedy.

The local Library is a great place to do any research and sits next to the Art Gallery and Museum, in the War Memorial Gardens.

Of course, if sport and energetic activities are your 'thing', you'll find plenty to do for those special days in Kircaldy.

There is an excellent Swimming Pool which includes a health suite and fitness room and also a cafe.

Fife Ice Arena (Kirkcaldy Ice Rink) is not just a skating rink, but home to the winning Ice Hockey Team, the Fife Flyers. However, at the time of writing, the Ice Rink is undergoing refurbishment.

Just outside Kirkcaldy, you could spend a whole day at Cluny Clays, participating in Clay Pigeon Shooting or of course here and elsewhere in the area - the inevitable game of golf.

Or stroll through Beveridge Park, or Ravenscraig Park, or wander down to Dysart Harbour and enjoy looking across to Edinburgh

Dysart Harbour

If you're visiting the Lang Toun, you'll find a huge choice of restaurants, cafes, and bars. As well as several Fish and Chip shops, you'll find top class restaurants, and lots of variety of international cuisine such as Chinese, Thai, Brazilian, Indian or Italian. And like every town, you'll find cafes and take-aways (or as we call it here 'Carry-outs').

So whether you're going to be having just one or several special days in Kirkcaldy - be sure to have a good time!

See also the following:-


The Collier Laddie" - Believed to be one of the oldest songs in Fife and mentions the town of Kirkcaldy.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown - Britain's Prime Minister who was brought up in Kirkcaldy, and now represents the area in Parliament.
The Poem "Boy in the Train"- This delightful poem describes one young lads arrival by train to Kirkcaldy with smell of the linoleum factories.
Maps and Weather - Find your way around and be prepared for the weather!
Anstruther - Explore this lovely fishing village and treat yourself to some delicious Fish and Chips.
Auchtermuchty - This lovely place (my home) is also home to a great Festival every year in August.
Bridges - See the lovely and even awesome bridges that might be your way into the Enchanting Kingdom for things to see and do in Scotland!
Falkland - Let the enchanting Falkland Palace transport you back a few centuries. Go for a walk up the Lomond Hills and stop for a 'yummy' bit to eat in Falkland.
Glenrothes - Visit this New Town with all its amazing modern sculptures, or pop into the Markinch Highland Games.
St. Andrews - The 'Home' of golf, and the oldest University in Scotland, wonderful beaches, and the the history of St Andrew and the saltire.
Pittenweem - Visit this scenic fishing village and home to Pittenweem Arts Festival.
Dunfermline - The ancient capital of Scotland, a modern city, yet bulging with history of Kings and Queens, as well as the birthplace of Andrew Carnegie.


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Special Days in Kirkcaldy