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This Object brings the project to a conclusion with its publication date matching that of Kirkcaldy Civic Society's 2024 Annual General Meeting. Therefore, this project, intended as part of the Civic Society's 50th anniversary celebrations, will be delivered on time. This Object is intended both to provide information and, equally, as a salute to two figures who laboured long and hard in producing early histories of the town, its people and its industries. Both books have been by our side almost from first to last.

In Part I, the work of Lachlan MacBean was examined with particular emphasis on his major opus where he examined, reviewed and published, extracts from the Kirkcaldy Burgh Records. By definition this work encapsulated life in the LangToun over many centuries. In this Part II, the principal publication of another local historian, John Y. Lockhart, titled 1838-1938 – A Century of Progress, comes under the spotlight. This volume, published days after the outbreak of the Second World War, does exactly what the title indicates by highlighting the significant changes which took place between the two dates, demonstrating the genuine progress which created employment and wealth for the town and its inhabitants. It covers a more condensed period than MacBean's work and further benefits both from illustrations and the fact the author knew many of the personalities and firms personally – a distinct advantage.

John Y. Lockhart (1862-1943) was born in Kirkcaldy. He originally worked as a salesman with Barry, Ostlere & Shepherd before branching out by starting his own linoleum and carpet business in Hunter Street. Through his work he came into contact with many of the town's leading industrialists, particularly those in the linoleum industry. This almost certainly accounts for the fact that floorcloth and linoleum feature heavily in the publication although, without doubt, these were the principal industries and the major wealth creators during the period under review.

The publication takes the reader, in a structured way, from a point prior to the coming of the railway to Kirkcaldy and therefore at the dawn of Michael Nairn's empire to probably the zenith of Kirkcaldy's industrial power.  Each of the town's industries are examined, ascertaining if they had progressed or declined, during the period. In particular, the harbour and shipping are dealt with in detail as much of Kirkcaldy's early wealth came from this source.

As early as 1691, Kirkcaldy was stated to be the fourth port in Scotland in terms of the value of the customs collected and Lockhart points out that the posts of Comptroller and Collector of Customs would be highly desirable ones. Following the Act of Union in 1707 Adam Smith W.S. of Aberdeen and his cousin Hercules Smith were appointed to these posts. This in turn saw the birth in 1723 of Adam Smith, the economist, philosopher and author of The Wealth of Nations, who was baptised in the town's Old Kirk.

Lockhart makes mention of Kirkcaldy's, albeit tenuous, connection with the Darien Scheme and of a local ship being seized for arms running during the English Civil War. Scotland and Kirkcaldy supported the Parliamentarian side during that conflict. Coal exporting, whaling and also shipbuilding are covered in the harbour chapter. It is hard to believe that Kirkcaldy once had a considerable shipbuilding trade which included ocean going steamers. In fact one yard, that of J. Brown & Co, still stands intact just west of the Tiel Burn.

Lockhart then devotes time to consider the town's industries covering weaving, linen, flax-spinning, bleaching, coal, flour mills and malting, engineering, furniture and finally lithography. All of these trades, at one time or another, were staple industries in Kirkcaldy with the first four capable of being classed as the foundation industries. Names of people and firms where some are long forgotten but others are still remembered spring from the pages – all clearly demonstrating how Kirkcaldy was once a manufacturing centre. The name of Ninian Lockhart was one of those synonymous with the famous Kirkcaldy striped shirt which at one time was worn by many working men due to its hard wearing quality. The Flax-spinning business of Provost Swan became one of the largest employers in the district.  Robert Hutchison & Co., Ltd., with their large flour mills became famous for the production of Youma – a baking flour with a malt flavour.

The advent and the coming of steam changed Kirkcaldy forever taking manufacturing from the home into factories but Lockhart also champions the point that the amalgamation of Pathhead, Sinclairtown and Linktown, with Kirkcaldy turned the town into an industrial powerhouse. It is a simple statement of fact that many of the major manufacturers and employers had been based outside the Burgh until 1876. The same boost came when Dysart joined with Kirkcaldy in 1930.

Steam power brought engineering and Kirkcaldy certainly capitalised on that with Lockhart mentioning names from the past such as Douglas & Grant, John Key & Son, Messrs. Wm. Philip & Son, The Melville Brodie Engineering Company and The Fife Forge amongst others. Boiler making was carried on for four generations at Dunnikier Road by A. Bryce & Son who are mentioned along with Dale's Engineering Works which stood where the Fire Station is now situated.

As previously mentioned, Floor-cloth and Linoleum are the subject of keen scrutiny as are the personalities involved in those trades. In a comprehensive view the growth of the Floorcloth industry and the expansion in the number of active manufacturers is dealt with, immediately followed by the the transition into linoleum. The gradual amalgamations which ultimately saw only two major firms left standing is also dealt with. The author makes the point that in the case of most manufacturers they had no knowledge of the process, simply being the owners and financiers, therefore relying on their employees for the production knowledge and technical skills. Only the Nairn family were immersed in the manufacturing process with the other exception being John Tait. Tait, a former Butler at Dunnikier House, resolved to acquire some knowledge of the trade for himself. He spent two years learning to make canvas at a small disused factory in Leslie. With this confidence he was then able to start Tait, Chorley & Co., Ltd., close to Kirkcaldy Station.  

A chapter is then devoted to what Lockhart considers to be the Personalities of the Linoleum Trade.  Here pen pictures are provided of John Barry, Edward Ostlere, James Shepherd, along with John Wright. No mention is made of members of the Nairn family but they are covered in the next chapter.

Lockhart also highlights those he considers to be Kirkcaldy's benefactors and, not surprisingly, many come from the floor coverings field, although high praise is given to Robert Philp, John Hunter and Harris L. Stocks. It is in this chapter that the Nairn family are given fulsome praise. Without being unkind it would have been impossible for Lockhart to include either Barry or Ostlere as major benefactors although Ostlere's son did leave £2,000 to the Cottage Hospital in his own Will. It is impossible not to contrast the gifts of the local Nairn family to those who hailed from outside the Lang Toun. Being local seemed to make a difference. Shepherd is excused as he certainly was generous to his native Elgin and to Burntisland where he lived for many years.

A chapter is then devoted to the Savings Bank in relation to the numbers of its depositors and the value of their deposits. Lockhart, quite rightly, views these statistics as a barometer of progress. While enhanced by offices being opened in towns outside Kirkcaldy – the figures are impressive,

The closing chapter covers the Provosts who were in office over the century. Kirkcaldy has been fortunate in having many able men at the helm but Robert Kilgour (1919-1934) deserves special mention – a self-made man rising from a background of poverty which saw him begin life as a student at the Pathhead Philp School before rising to be a director of Ireland & Wishart and hold the Chief Magistrates position for 15 years.

Without question a labour of love and John Y. Lockhart was one of the first to gather together the story of Kirkcaldy's people and industries in an invaluable, easily read and comprehensive volume. It well deserves its place in this project, even if he had to share with Lachlan MacBean!

The book draws together a vast amount of material and statistics forging them into a handy volume covering one of the most successful periods in the Lang Toun's history – it is to be commended. One of the pleasures from reading the book is being reminded of names and firms now gone but who played a huge part in the town's history.

The full exploration of Lockhart's work can be reached from the icon on this page. The text is enhanced with photographs from the book along with maps and newspaper snippets which have been added, hopefully to enhance the read.