Fife Forge

05/09/2026

04/09/2026

A Special Event in Kirkcaldy?

A wh**ky tasting? A first course and dram before a stag do? A first course and fizz before a hens? A creative session? A burns night? Revolution planning? There's nothing like the Forge in Kirkcaldy or probably anywhere else? We'll make for your measure. PM me. JD

04/09/2026

Ravenscraig Castle Restoration Update

Last Thursday we held our inaugural meeting of the Guardians of Ravenscraig Castle at Fife Forge on the Kirkcaldy High Street.

Our guest speaker, architect John Sanders provided an authoritative and informative talk on Ravenscraig Castle and its restoration potential. John encouragingly stated, ‘restoration' was probably too strong a word as to what is needed in relation to Ravenscraig Castle, as it is in fairly good shape.

John Sanders will post in-depth on his talk later, but for now some key takeaways are:

- Ravenscraig Castle appears structurally sound, and the main works required are some reinstatement of the East Tower, roofing of both towers, some facing stones repairs, a proper working drawbridge, and reinstallation of floors, doors and windows.

- Importantly, the works above are considered consistent with maintaining the architectural integrity of the castle, particularity as a military defensive castle.

- Also important, is that current Historic Environment Scotland thinking on roofing castles has changed. In the past roofing was seen as potentially architecturally invasive, but this thinking has now flipped, given evidence that increased rain fall is accelerating the degradation of unroofed castles.

We also discussed the economic benefits to Kirkcaldy of a restored castle, as an treasured jewel around which Kirkcaldy tourism will thrive, as a part of the wonderful cluster of historic treasures in Kirkcaldy and vicinity and a usable community venue. We also discussed the castle’s potential for featuring interactive exhibits / edutainment appealing to younger generations.

Our next steps will be engaging in depth with local and central Government and Historic Environment Scotland on the proposal.

Thank you to the enthusiastic group of Guardians who attended our first meeting. We now have over 200 Guardians in our Guardians of Ravenscraig Castle Kirkcaldy FB Group and over 200 in the more internationally supportive Friends of Ravenscraig Castle FB Group.

BECOME A GUARDIAN OF RAVENSCRAIG CASTLE, KIRKCALDY!

If you like the idea of restoring Ravenscraig Castle please show your support by joining this group. If you are keen on doing more in the way of volunteering please PM me.

Thanks

George Proudfoot, Chair, Kirkcaldy Civic Society
John Dennett, Fife Forge

01/09/2026

Fairy Eggs

A cluster of fairy eggs in the hidden ancient grove near Kirkcaldy Galleries. JD

30/08/2026

Singer Sewing Machines & Kirkcaldy

Like many people I love researching and remembering the history of buildings and gaining a glimpse of the people who came before us. In the case of the High Street it’s the shops and businesses who previously occupied a place.

As a Linen Town, Singer sewing machines were very important to Kirkcaldy, to the linen mills and to homeworkers; the women who undertook piece or outwork for linen mills and other businesses.
The linen industry in Kirkcaldy began in 1672, reaching a golden age from the 1860s to the 1890s. The last mill, founded in 1825, Peter Greig and Co Ltd operated at the Victoria Linen Works on St. Clair Street for nearly 200 years until its closure in 2021.

The Singer Sewing Machine story in Kirkcaldy could be said to have started at 69 High Street, Kirkcaldy; at the very least 69 High St. played an important part in the story. There were already shops on the block of land that eventually became Whytehouse Mansions (built in 1898); Singer Co. occupied 69 High Street, Kirkcaldy in 1884. After Whytehouse Mansions was built Singer re-opened at 77 High Street (now Speedy Snaps) and also spent time at 49 High Street (now occupied by Ramsay World Travel).

As a salute to our shops history, the Kirkcaldy linen industry and Singer sewing machines we have two vintage singer machines in our Lang Toun Little Museum at the back of Fife Forge (kindly donated by Geraldine and Liz) and a lovely dolls diorama of two women home-working on singer sewing machines. We also have various other Kirkcaldy linen industry artefacts on display, also kindly donated.

The history of 69 High Street, Kirkcaldy so far:

1867: The Singer Manufacturing Company opens a small Glasgow factory to assemble imported American parts.

1880: John Turner Grocer and W**e Merchant ('Half-Crown Wh***ey & Tea; funeral letters & intimations of death and memorial cards printed on an hours notice; light wines for summer').

1884: The Singer Manufacturing Company factory in Clydebank opens, eventually becoming the largest sewing machine factory in the world.

1884: Singer Co. ('Sewing machines taken as part exchange from 10s')

1885: The Spinners (Yarns).

1895-1898: Whytehouse Mansions built.

1898: B. Morgans General & Fancy Drapery ('Immense reductions in cuffs, braces, scarfs, white & coloured shirts’).

1919: Thomas G. Blyth, Wholesale & Retail Stationer & Tobacconist.

1933: John Heddle, Newsagent & Stationer.

1936: Farquharson & Son, Newsagents & Tobacconists: ('Fly Fifer Safety Razor Blades; toys, games, children’s picture books; holiday cases, writing paper').

1953 / 1955 / 1957 / 1974: Nobles & Co. ('Santa Clause will visit Nobles Friday and Saturday, Bring the Kiddies along to see him; electric railways, flying helicopters, push and go toys, dolls, something to please every child; Christmas Club now started; Mechano and Triang toys, tricycles, model cars').

1979 / 1980: Toys & Sports. ('Cindy Dolls, Action Men, Slazenger dresses, football boots').

1988: Oxfam (charity shop).

2019: Komandor (walk in wardrobes).

2024: Fife Forge (antiques, art, books, collectibles & local museum (Lang Toun Little Museum)).

29/08/2026

Kirkcaldy's Best Kept Secret?

A cavern of movie & music memorabilia treasures at Fife Forge. JD

27/08/2026

'It (Ravenscraig Castle) was a place suited in every way to the high spirit of this lordly line. The St. Clairs were a war-like family, fighters for many a lost cause, leaders of many a forlorn hope. From Flodden onward, where Lord Henry fell with his King* through all the perilous periods of Scottish history till the Commonwealth, Ravenscraig was the home of the Sinclairs.' - Souvenir of the Opening of Ravenscraig Park, Saturday 29th June, 1929

This wonderful souvenir was donated by Alice on behalf of her Grandmother (Margaret Pillans). Margaret Pillans was the daughter of James and Jane Pillans, who owned and ran the Bakehouse on 163-165 St Clair Street. Alice kindly donated a wealth of Kirkcaldy’ artefacts and they and her ancestors will be the subject of a separate story and exhibition in the Lang Toun Little Museum (at the back of Fife Forge) at a later date. Thanks again Alice!

St Clair Street and the former neighbourhood of Sinclairtown are named after the Saint Clair or Sinclair family who once occupied Ravenscraig Castle.

The souvenir programme gives us some new valuable insights into Ravenscraig Castle and Kirkcaldy social history and the St. Clair (Sinclair) family.

According to the account in the souvenir, there is no record of the castle ever being besieged or battle damaged. At the time of Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland in 1651, Lord Sinclair was a staunch loyalist and ended up imprisoned until the end of the war. On his return to Ravenscraig Castle he was almost financially ruined and found the castle partially dismantled (likely to inhibit its further use in an uprising). The castle's neglect may have been exacerbated later by John, Master of Sinclair’s allegiance to the Jacobite uprising of 1715.

People, as a reminder we are attempting to restore Ravenscraig castle and holding our first meeting of the Guardians of Ravenscraig Castle TODAY AT FIFE FORGE AT 6.00PM to this end.

Please join the FB page to help show community support and spread the good word:)

John Sanders of Simpson Brown Architects will be our featured speaker. He has project managed and been the lead architect on similar projects throughout Scotland.

Meeting details: Thursday 27th August 2026 at 6PM at Fife Forge 69 High Street, Kirkcaldy (opposite Exchequer Pub). Meeting invitation: https://fb.me/e/222BmehDtH

page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592230875819

Thanks

The Guardians of Ravenscraig Castle

* King James IV was the last British monarch to die in combat.

25/08/2026

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/community/dysart-trust-appeals-for-volunteers-to-extend-museum-opening-times-8937597

Dysart Trust is appealing for volunteers to help run the town’s museum.

25/08/2026

New Renderings of Ravenscraig Castle, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland

Here are some new renderings of what a restored Ravenscraig Castle could look like, from John Sanders of Simpson Brown Architects.

As a reminder we are holding our first meeting of the Guardians of Ravenscraig Castle Kirkcaldy at Fife Forge this coming Thursday. It would be great if you could make it. John Sanders of Simpson Brown Architects will be our featured speaker.

Please join the FB page to help show community support and spread the good word:)

Meeting details: Thursday 27th August 2026 at 6PM at Fife Forge 69 High Street, Kirkcaldy (opposite Exchequer Pub).

Meeting invitation: https://fb.me/e/222BmehDtH

page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592230875819 See less