When you are born and brought up in your home town you just take the local scenery and buildings for granted as it is the norm for you. It’s only when you perhaps move away and come back many years later that you look at your town in a different light.
Kirkcaldy is located in Fife on the East coast of Scotland overlooking the Firth of Forth.
Having moved to Asia about 30 years ago I have made frequent trips back to Scotland and my hometown of Kirkcaldy in Fife. I realised I have very few photographs of my town and the surroundings so started to take a few photos of some key landmarks in the town.
So here are some nostalgic memories of some key landmarks and locations in and around Kirkcaldy. I must try and capture some more images on my next visit.
Forth Park Maternity Hospital, Bennochy Road – I was born here on 24th January 1957Forth Park Maternity Hospital, Bennochy Road – I was born here on 24th January 195743 Townsend Place – First house where I lived after being bornSt. Bryce Kirk, St Brycedale AvenueOld Kirk CemeteryOld Kirk CemeteryOld KirkKirk WyndKirkcaldy High Street from Cupcake Coffee BoxKirkcaldy Congregational Church, High StreetKirkcaldy Congregational Church, High StreetKirkcaldy Town HouseKirkcaldy Town HouseKirkcaldy Town HouseKirkcaldy Town HouseKirkcaldy Town HouseCourthouse, WhytescausewayStation Hotel, Bennochy Road – now converted into apartmentsStation Hotel, Bennochy Road – converted apartments now completedStation Hotel, Bennochy Road – converted apartments now completedKirkcaldy Galleries & War MemorialKirkcaldy GalleriesKirkcaldy StationKirkcaldy StationKirkcaldy StationAbbotshall ChurchAbbotshall Church Graveyard – some family members are buried hereBeveridge Park Main GateBeveridge Park and the iconic lionYes …. that’s me on the lion when I was a child.Beveridge Park pond – went boating here Lambswell Folly, Raith EstateA view over Kirkcaldy from the Rabbit Braes – walked over here frequently as a childGraffiti, TemplehallTorbain Primary School – my first schoolTorbain Primary School – my first schoolTorbain Primary School – my first schoolBuccaneer Bar, TemplehallGallaghers, Templehall – used to be the White Heather Pub in my daysDunnikier Park Golf Course – I used to thrash round this course in my youthKirkcaldy EsplanadeKirkcaldy EsplanadeKirkcaldy EsplanadeKirkcaldy EsplanadeKirkcaldy EsplanadeOlympia Shopping Arcade, High Street. I used to go shopping here as a teenager to Mentiplays Music Store and Franks Army StoresSeafield and the old sea wallSeafield sea wall. Had a few nice family picnics down hereSeafield sea wallSeafield TowerSeafield TowerSeafield TowerKirkcaldy HarbourKirkcaldy HarbourKirkcaldy HarbourThe Harbour BarNairn & Co., The PathNairn & Co., The PathDunnikier Union Church, The PathKirkcaldy from Ravenscraig ParkKirkcaldy from Ravenscraig ParkRear view of Ravenscraig CastleFeuars Arms, PathheadPathhead CemeteryPathhead Congregational ChurchDysart HarbourDysart HarbourDysart HarbourDysart HarbourPan Ha’, DysartDysart Town HallSt Serf’s Old Parish Church, DysartQueen Victoria Golden Jubilee commemorative cast-iron lamp at junction of High Street, Cross Street and Victoria Street, Dysart
Passionate Photographer …. Lost in Asia
Stuart Taylor of HighlanderImages Photography has been making images for over 30 years and can offer a diverse range of photo imaging services with a focus on Asia and a documentary/photojournalistic style. These services include planning and executing a photo shoot on location but importantly all the post-processing and image preparation needed for the specific finished media format required by the customer. Stuart’s experience and knowledge in all of these aspects make HighlanderImages Photography a one-stop-shop for a comprehensive and professional image production service.
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My middle name is Kirkcaldy. It was my Mom’s maiden name. Her parents came from Leith and Edinburgh back around 1920 to USA. Didn’t know there was a town call Kirkcaldy till we traveled on a bus tour to Edinburgh and I saw the street sign to Kirkcaldy. Wish I had learned more from my parents and grandparents about my family from Scotland! Thank u for the tour of your town.
Aw thank you. I too was brought up in Kirkcaldy but left over 30 years ago. I am still in touch with friends there. You brought back many lovely memories. Discos in St Brycedale’s church being one of them!
Thank you so much for displaying these photographs. Left in 1972 for Australia and love walk around when I do come back. Was due to return in June but that’s gone now
Remember all of these places well, although I went to Fair Isle primary myself. Born and brought up in Kirkcaldy, and lived in Dysart for a few years before coming to Germany over 20 years ago. Looks like the shoogly wee bridge across Dysart harbour has gone, sadly.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of my home town. I have lived in Missouri since 2007 and my American husband looks forward to his first visit to my homeland. I grew up in Templehall and went to Dunearn for a few years.
Thank you for the reminders. I too was born at Forth Park at the end of 1947 and lived in Links St until 53 when we moved to Cumbrae Terrace. Started at St Maries School then soon after moving went to Fair Isle and then Templehall (now housing) Dad helped in the school construction as a Stone Mason/Bricklayer and saw it taken down from his bedroom window. I left Kirkcaldy in 1970 when I joined the Army now reside in Kent.
Are You Elaine’s brother? I lived in Lismore Avenue just along from Cumbrae and I went to school with Elaine, she was working in Carlton last time I seen her.
Wonderful. Born Forth Park May 29th 1951. Emigrated to Canada 1968/69. Not back since 1972.
Thankyou so much. Will share your photos with my kids. Dad was Andrew Thorburn. Art teacher at KHS.founding member of the Scottish Gliding Union at Portmoak. Hope to see it with my family……next year? Marjorie Thorburn
Hi Melanie, if we are talking about the couple standing on the train station platform Infront of the Adam Smith poster then this is my gran and grandad.
Hi Melanie, if you are talking about the couple standing on the train station platform Infront of the Adam Smith poster then this is my gran and grandad.
I also was born in Forth Park but in 58. Having left Kirkcaldy as a boy I do travel back from time to time. These photos help me appreciate my heritage. Thank you for sharing and helping to stir up some beautiful memories.
Hello Stuart, I hail from Melbourne /australia desperately attempting to find a photog of the Skating Rink at Kirkcaldy in 1918, my father was sent there for training that year. when he joined the HLI. ?Sadly all my requests for help have failed and I thought just maybe you could assist me. Lovely shots, congratulations, James Twycross (jtw11958@bigpond.net.au)
Lots of great compositions, many deserve their own post.
Thanks for the kind words
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing them. My husband’s Grandfather and Great-Grandfather are both from Kirkcaldy.
My middle name is Kirkcaldy. It was my Mom’s maiden name. Her parents came from Leith and Edinburgh back around 1920 to USA. Didn’t know there was a town call Kirkcaldy till we traveled on a bus tour to Edinburgh and I saw the street sign to Kirkcaldy. Wish I had learned more from my parents and grandparents about my family from Scotland! Thank u for the tour of your town.
Fantastic photography remember every one of them, left Kirkcaldy in 1972.
Born KDY in 1967 never really appreciate how beautiful my birth town was, thank you for awaking a sense of pride in my forgotten roots.
Aw thank you. I too was brought up in Kirkcaldy but left over 30 years ago. I am still in touch with friends there. You brought back many lovely memories. Discos in St Brycedale’s church being one of them!
As a fellow langtounians I’d like to Thank you for your stunning images of our lovely town of Kirkcaldy.
I’ve lived here all my life, there were some images that I have never even noticed. You’re talent reflects in your photography.
Thank you so much for displaying these photographs. Left in 1972 for Australia and love walk around when I do come back. Was due to return in June but that’s gone now
Remember all of these places well, although I went to Fair Isle primary myself. Born and brought up in Kirkcaldy, and lived in Dysart for a few years before coming to Germany over 20 years ago. Looks like the shoogly wee bridge across Dysart harbour has gone, sadly.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of my home town. I have lived in Missouri since 2007 and my American husband looks forward to his first visit to my homeland. I grew up in Templehall and went to Dunearn for a few years.
Thank you for the reminders. I too was born at Forth Park at the end of 1947 and lived in Links St until 53 when we moved to Cumbrae Terrace. Started at St Maries School then soon after moving went to Fair Isle and then Templehall (now housing) Dad helped in the school construction as a Stone Mason/Bricklayer and saw it taken down from his bedroom window. I left Kirkcaldy in 1970 when I joined the Army now reside in Kent.
Are You Elaine’s brother? I lived in Lismore Avenue just along from Cumbrae and I went to school with Elaine, she was working in Carlton last time I seen her.
Wonderful. Born Forth Park May 29th 1951. Emigrated to Canada 1968/69. Not back since 1972.
Thankyou so much. Will share your photos with my kids. Dad was Andrew Thorburn. Art teacher at KHS.founding member of the Scottish Gliding Union at Portmoak. Hope to see it with my family……next year? Marjorie Thorburn
Thank you for this. I was born in Kirkcaldy in 1972 and you have captured my auntie and uncle on one of your photos 😊
Hi Melanie, if we are talking about the couple standing on the train station platform Infront of the Adam Smith poster then this is my gran and grandad.
Hi Melanie, if you are talking about the couple standing on the train station platform Infront of the Adam Smith poster then this is my gran and grandad.
I also was born in Forth Park but in 58. Having left Kirkcaldy as a boy I do travel back from time to time. These photos help me appreciate my heritage. Thank you for sharing and helping to stir up some beautiful memories.
Hello Stuart, I hail from Melbourne /australia desperately attempting to find a photog of the Skating Rink at Kirkcaldy in 1918, my father was sent there for training that year. when he joined the HLI. ?Sadly all my requests for help have failed and I thought just maybe you could assist me. Lovely shots, congratulations, James Twycross (jtw11958@bigpond.net.au)