scenic viewpoint
Calton Hill
An accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
18 km · about 20 min drive
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
Kirkcaldy works well as a base: 10 minutes from Kinghorn, 18km from Calton Hill.
Kirkcaldy is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 50,370, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Kirkcaldy sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Kirkcaldy to your route.
Kirkcaldy ( kur-KAW-dee; Scots: Kirkcaldy; Scottish Gaelic: Cair Chaladain) is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It is about 11+1⁄2 miles (19 kilometres) north of Edinburgh and 27+1⁄2 mi (44 km) south-southwest of Dundee. The town had a recorded population of 49,460 in 2011, makingRead more
it Fife's second-largest settlement and the 11th most populous settlement in Scotland.
Kirkcaldy has long been nicknamed the Lang Toun (; Scots for "long town") in reference to the early town's 0.9-mile (1.4 km) main street, as indicated on maps from the 16th and 17th centuries. The street would finally reach a length of nearly four miles (six kilometres), 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 also later absorbed into Kirkcaldy in 1930 under an act of Parliament.
The area around Kirkcaldy has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. The first document to refer to the town is from 1075, when Malcolm III granted the settlement to the church of Dunfermline. David I later gave the burgh to Dunfermline Abbey, which had succeeded the church: a status which was officially recognised by Robert I in 1327. The town only gained its independence from Abbey rule when it was created a royal burgh by Charles I in 1644.
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.
Today, the town is a major service centre for the central Fife area. Public facilities include a main leisure centre, theatre, museum and art gallery, three public parks and an ice rink. Kirkcaldy is also known as the birthplace of social philosopher and economist Adam Smith who wrote his magnum opus The Wealth of Nations in the town. In the early 21st century, employment is dominated by the service sector: the biggest employer in the town is PayWizard, formerly known as MGT plc (call centre). Other main employers include NHS Fife, Forbo (linoleum and vinyl floor coverings), Fife College, Whitworths (flour millers) and Smith Anderson (paper making).
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Kirkcaldy offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Kirkcaldy is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 56.1168 latitude, -3.1600 longitude.
Kirkcaldy has a population of approximately 50,370 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
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Essential numbers in United Kingdom
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Full driving guide for United Kingdom8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
An accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
18 km · about 20 min drive
museum
A stunning Victorian and modern building housing diverse collections from Scottish history to world cultures and natural science.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
UNESCO-listed Victorian cantilever railway bridge spanning the Firth of Forth, a masterwork of 19th-century engineering in 54,000 tonnes of steel.
19 km · about 20 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Ancient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
19 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Dramatic fortress perched atop Castle Rock, dominating the Edinburgh skyline for over 900 years.
19 km · about 20 min drive
historic highway
Edinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
19 km · about 20 min drive
cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh with its distinctive crown spire, mother church of Presbyterianism on the Royal Mile.
19 km · about 20 min drive
cafe
A waterfront biker cafe in South Queensferry beneath the iconic Forth bridges, offering stunning views and a warm welcome to riders.
20 km · about 25 min drive
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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