Kinglassie

Kinglassie (Gaelic: "Cille MoGhlasaidh") is a small village in central Fife Scotland. It is located to the north of Kirkcaldy. The population of the village was recorded as 1,320 in the 2001 census.

History

Kinglassie's development during the late 19th and early 20th Century was marked by its rapid expansion to house mine workers. The Kinglassie Pit closed in 1967. The Westfield open cast coal mine lies to the west of the village and is still regarded as the biggest man-made hole in Europe by local people.

Its Patron saint, "Glastian", was a mediator between the Scots and Picts. He died in 830.

Local landmarks

* Blythe's Tower, built 1812 -A four storey square tower, 15.8m high (54ft), of random rubble with ashlar string courses and a crenellated parapet, currently Grade B Listed by Historic Scotland. The tower interior was formerly floored to afford access to an observation platform. The Tower was built by a Linen Merchant in order to view ships as they entered the Forth affording the Merchant the opportunity to procure the best goods at port. During World War two the tower was used as a look out tower by the home guard.
* Dogton stone 800 - Stone believed to commemorate major battle between the Picts and the Scots.
* The Mitchell Hall 1896 - Donated to the community by a local farmer. It is used by local community groups, and is an asset to the wider Fife community.

Culture

The Kinglassie & District Pipe Band was reformed in 1982. It is currently in Grade 4a and its members are mostly of school age. The current Pipe Major is Ian Finlay.

Reid, Sir William (b. April 25, 1791, Kinglassie village, Fifeshire, Scotland - d. October 31, 1858, London, England), governor of Bermuda (1839-46), Barbados (1846-48), and Malta (1851-58); knighted 1851.