Old photograph of a Tram, shops and people on the High Street in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. 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. Kirkcaldy has long been nicknamed the Lang Toun, Scots for " long town " in reference to the early town's main street. The street later reached a length of nearly 4 miles, connecting the burgh to the neighbouring settlements of Linktown, Pathhead, Sinclairtown and Gallatown, which became part of the town in 1876. The formerly separate burgh of Dysart was merged into Kirkcaldy in 1930.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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