A Quick Tour of Kirkcaldy Home of Jocky Wilson. First of all, its Kirkcaldy is pronounced Kir-cod-ae. Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the best sights to see if you are in Kirkcaldy for an afternoon.
There is more to Kirkcaldy than shops and cafes
Editorial credit: vetasster / Shutterstock.com
Adam Smith
Kirkcaldy is probably Fife’s most famous town given it has a bit of an academic claim to fame… It was in Kirkcaldy that way back in 1776 (or the years leading up to it) that Adam Smith wrote what is still one of the seminal economic texts “The Wealth of Nations”. However ask any local though (who hasn’t got an economics degree), and they will probably tell you it’s because of World darts Champion Jocky Wilson. Although you may get, its famous for its ice rink, home to the Fife Flyers, the oldest professional ice hockey team in the UK, established way back in 1938 or even Raith Rovers FC, who once led the mighty Bayern Munich 1-0! There are few airs-and-graces here but plenty to talk about!
Kirkcaldy Ice Rink- more famous and dare I say more interesting than The Wealth of Nations.
By Il cacciatore – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
Anyway preamble aside Fife is a lovely part of the country and town itself is situated on the eastern coastline, somewhere to the north of Edinburgh. This is borderline Highlander country. Go slightly inland and you will find some stunning mountains; to the east a little you will hit Ellie Bay, home of the treasured Elie Ruby (which is actually a garnet but never mind).
Kirkcaldy is one of the few places in Scotland whose town clock sometimes still works. One of the other places is Lanark, home of William Wallace himself. As it stands, the only William Wallace associated with Kirkcaldy was the mathematician who once studied there in the eighteenth century. While the rest of Scotland was running around with blue faces, shouting about freedom; Kirkcaldy had its head stuck in a book.
So without rambling on too much, let’s take a more detailed look at some of the wonders of this spectacularly smart seaside town.
Kirkcaldy at a Glance
So if you were just passing through, these are the top sights you should definitely visit in Kirkcaldy!
The Ravenscraig Castle
The Ravenscraig means two things in this country: 1 – the Castle. 2 – The steel plant Thatcher shut in the ’90s despite it at one the one point being the largest, and most efficient hot strip steel mill in Western Europe. The Castle is by far the preferred memory. It does stand in partial ruins but if you like an old building? Ravenscraig brings you a treat. Originally a royal residence for Queen Mary of Gueldres in 1460; it’s truly amazing that any of this remains after all those generations of rain. It is accessed by an honest-to-goodness mini drawbridge-style walk. You’ll love it.
Ravenscraig Castle dates from around 1460. In need of some restoration but hay, it is nearly 560 years old!
Image: Targn Pleiades/Shutterstock.com
The Kirkcaldy Galleries
Kirkcaldy has a huge academic background so it is no wonder there is an all-included art museum, art gallery, and museum. You can visit to learn all about the area or to browse their latest exhibitions. You may even be able to pick up a piece from Scotland’s talented local artists! It recently underwent a massive refurbishment but was first opened in 1925. Just about everything in Scotland is old.
Wemyss Caves
The caves along the shore around Kirkcaldy contain some of the largest collections of Pictish art in all of Europe. They make an interesting day out for everyone from the budding archaeologist to the interested hiker. They have a gift shop, a place to eat and drink, and offer guided tours. Don’t worry though, the caves aren’t deep enough to get lost in and everyone gets a hard hat. It is very cool to be able to see messages carved from some of the first people to live on this land.
Pathhead Sands
This is arguably the best bit of beach in the area if you want to indulge in sunbathing (one day or so a year). If not, it is perfect for picnics and nobody will care if you start a bonfire and have some beers of a night. Keep the noise down though; upsetting the locals is never a good idea.
Where to Eat, Drink, and Party in Kirkcaldy?
If you are looking for elegance that is child-friendly try the Waterfront Restaurant. This is a firm favourite with everyone, so try to book if you can. The Asian Triangle is a great place to go in large groups as they offer Chinese, Thai and Indian menus from the same restaurant.
If you are looking for the best cocktails in town then we suggest you head to the Tipsy Cow. The crowd is trendy and the burgers are awesome. Locals love O’Connell’s Bar and Diner for a quiet drink. If you are in the mood to party though, the Kusi Club is probably your best bet.
Other Notable Attractions
There are a few other things you could do in Kirkcaldy to kill five minutes. We listed some of the best of them below. Don’t forget that Kirkcaldy is a seaside town. Granted that doesn’t mean much in a land where the weather is as fierce as ours, but the east coast is usually sunnier than the west. If it comes down to weather alone then Kirkcaldy just about edges out Ayr for a Scottish beach holiday.
Free things to do in Kirkcaldy:
- Visit the beach or Beveridge park, which has a little pond.
- Visit Ravenscraig Park, which is more of a woodland.
- Hike out to Seafield Tower… or what is left of it.
Kirkcaldy attractions you have to pay for:
- Fife Ice Arena – this is the aforementioned ice rink that makes Kirkcaldy famous…
- The Adam Smith Theatre – named after the famous academic, always good for a show.
- Tour Stark’s Park, home of Raith Rovers F.C.
The Towns Football Club Raith Rovers reached Scottish League Cup Final in 1994
Things to do in Kirkcaldy with Kiddies
If you happen to be trying to entertain some children while you are in Kirkcaldy, try some of these:
- The Wacky Warehouse – take them for a day of fun jumping around on the play equipment, joining in a group or enjoying a class.
- Wonder World Soft Play is tipped as one of the better places to take the little ones. There are fewer things for the under 5’s to hurt themselves on.
- Dysart Harbour and Harbourmaster’s House – OK, so it’s technically a mini-museum, but if you have boys (or girls) that love boats then this is all their little hearts could ever desire.
Have Five Minutes Left?
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