Also known as the Lang Toun because of its extensive seacoast, the history of Kirkcaldy dates back many centuries. Today it is made up of several former towns and the main street is four miles long.
It is said that the Battle of Raith was fought to the west of Kirkcaldy in 596 AD. The name of the town comes from a Celtic phrase meaning fort on a rocky hill, although one would assume it was associated with a church.
The history of Kirkcaldy involves coal mining, first started by the monks of Dunfermline Abbey in the 11th century. With a sheltered harbour, the town grew as a result of the safety it provided for ships and grew to become one of the most important seaports in Scotland.
By 1820, it was an important whaling centre and with the coming of the railway to quickly export the coal, the town was very prosperous indeed. Kirkcaldy is the birthplace of linoleum; a new flooring that became popular all over the world in the 1960s.
Our most famous forefather is none other than Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations, the pioneering book on free trade and market forces, which has shaped the social values and economic beliefs of the western world.
Indeed Adam Smith is probably more famous in America where his book has been instrumental in creating their countrys value system.
Kirkcaldy is a large, growing and modern town which enjoys a commanding waterfront position in the heart of Fife. Sitting between two important economic City Regions, these being Edinburgh and Dundee, Kirkcaldy offer residents, businesses and visitors a fantastic location with a superb infrastructure.
With excellent connections into Scotlands strategic road, rail and broadband internet networks, Kirkcaldy Kirkcaldy lies within an hour and a half travel of more than 75% of Scotlands population.
Kirkcaldy is looking to strengthen and develop its traditional position as the major retail and administrative centre serving the heart of Fife.
Golfers love the challenge of the Kirkcaldy Golf Club. This 18 hole course features challenging parkland in a rural setting where you can enjoy the glorious scenery of the Firth or Forth.
More modern figures to have been born or spent time in Kirkcaldy are Gordon Brown which is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ewan McGregor the Actor and the popular painter Jack Vettriano.
New housing developments are popping up across the town, the north of Kirkcaldy has been redeveloped and the seafront is due to be resigned over the next decade turning the area into one of Scotlands major tourist destinations. The future looks bright for the Lang Toun.
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