KIRKCALDY CIVIC SOCIETY

We explored historic Kinghorn with our guide Mr Jim Allison from the Kinghorn Historical Society.

EVENING OUTING

Wednesday 20th May  2009

The walkabout started from Kinghorn Community Centre.

The photo on the right shows Kinghorn Library, once a Philp school. Robert Philp was a rich linen merchant from Kirkcaldy who, in 1828,  left money for three Philp schools in Kirkcaldy and one in Kinghorn. The schools were for children of poor families.

The group of over 20 people headed along the High Street. The street consists mainly of buildings constructed in the 1960s but our guide showed us photographs of the old buildings that once stood in the area and there are still reminders in stone carvings on existing buildings.

This interesting building is mock Tudor, built during the years of World War I, standing in an area called the Cuinzie Neuk. A Royal Mint once occupied this site turning out coins. Cuinzie is an old word for money.

The group carried on heading for the Town House.

The Town House was built in 1826.

The town jail consisting of two cells with huge iron doors was once part of this building.

The impressive building is now under renovation.

After walking up the North Overgate and taking a look at an old mill in the area the group retraced its steps down to Bruce Street/South Overgate where the Ship Tavern stands.

An old lintel stone can be seen above a small door on the South Overgate side of the tavern with the date 1668 and initials RB and EW. A  masons mark can be seen on the left side of the lintel.

Kinghorn has many such interesting features.

Heading back to the Community Centre the group passed by the town War Memorial, unveiled in 1922, standing in the area of land known as The Porte.

The walk had been very enjoyable finishing with a cup of tea at the Centre.

Some of us purchased the Kinghorn Historical  Society booklet ‘Walks & Trails In and Around Kinghorn’ so we could find out more about the town and perhaps plan future private explorations.

Photographs of  past Provosts of Kinghorn in the Library building