Tour Scotland Video Old Photographs Kirkcaldy Fife

Tour Scotland video of old photographs of Kirkcaldy, Fife. From the early 16th century, the establishment of a harbour at the East Burn confirmed the town's early role as an important trading port. The town also began to develop around the salt, coal mining and nail making industries. The production of linen which followed in 1672 was later instrumental in the introduction of floorcloth in 1847 by linen manufacturer, Michael Nairn. In 1877 this in turn contributed to linoleum, which became the town's most successful industry: Kirkcaldy was a world producer until well into the mid 1960s. The town expanded considerably in the 1950s and 1960s, though the decline of the linoleum industry and other manufacturing restricted its growth thereafter.

Ronald Craufurd Munro Ferguson, 1st Viscount Novar, was born his family home in the Raith area near Kirkcaldy on 6 March 1860. He was a Scottish politician and colonial governor. He served as the sixth Governor General of Australia from 1914 to 1920, and is considered probably the most politically influential holder of this post. After his return to Britain, he was Secretary for Scotland from 1922 to 1924. Laconic, suave, urbane and highly intelligent, Munro Ferguson's easy going aristocratic airs and graces made him wee liked and charming. In the diplomatic corps, he made a success of Governorship of Australia. He married Lady Helen Hermione, born 1863, died 9 April 1941, daughter of Lord Dufferin, in 1889. The union was childless. They lived at 18 Portman Square, when in London, England. He was a member of the Athenaeum and Reform Clubs. He died at his home in 1934, aged 74, his title dying with him as he left no issue.

All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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